State Creates Bioretention Wells Along Ritchie Median

As the state works on repaving Ritchie Highway, it is also working on another project aimed at filtering stormwater runoff.

Charlie Gishlar of the Maryland State Highway Administration said contractors have begun work on a series of bioretention wells down Ritchie Highway, starting in Arnold.

The excavator parked in the median of Ritchie Highway in Arnold near the intersection with Chautauga Road is part of that job.

These man-made wells incorporate plants and rocks to clean up stormwater runoff.

"The wells catch the sediment that comes from the road, filters the water and also allows the water to cool down," Gishlar said.

Cooling the water is an important step to maintaining the health of the Chesapeake Bay, Gishlar said. Fish can be thrown off by the immense temperature difference of unfiltered water that runs off of highways, back into the Bay.

The work will take a few weeks, and as it continues may involve daytime lane closures for the safety of the crew, Gishlar said.