Aaron Run Road Culvert Replacement

What Was the Challenge?

In May 2025, severe rainfall in Western Maryland caused significant flooding and structural damage at multiple culvert sites throughout Garrett County. At Aaron Run Road over Mill Run, floodwaters undermined the roadway, collapsed part of the upstream headwall, and exposed extensive damage to the existing 120-inch corrugated metal pipe. Once floodwaters receded, it became clear that the culvert could not be repaired, and the County declared the crossing an emergency replacement. Mill Run’s history of overtopping and hydraulic limitations underscored the need for a solution that would restore access quickly while also improving long-term resilience and performance.

How did Barton & Loguidice Provide a Solution?

B&L conducted a rapid structural assessment and recommended replacing the culvert with a bridge to provide a larger hydraulic opening, improve flow capacity, and extend service life. To meet the County’s goal of reopening the roadway within six months, B&L proposed a highly efficient solution: repurposing precast concrete beams and precast abutments previously procured for another project that had been postponed indefinitely. B&L quickly validated that the available 55-foot beams provided an ideal span for the site and required minimal roadway realignment.

Working closely with a geotechnical consultant, B&L developed a foundation approach using geosynthetic-reinforced soil over suitable subgrade, eliminating the need for new abutments bearing on bedrock and accelerating construction. By leveraging existing materials and streamlining structural and hydraulic design, B&L enabled the County to complete the emergency replacement and successfully reopen Aaron Run Road on October 24, 2025.

Why Was This Project a Success?

The project restored critical access for residents in an accelerated timeframe while significantly improving hydraulic capacity and long-term resilience at the crossing. Strategic reuse of existing bridge components provided major cost and schedule savings, allowing Garrett County to meet its reopening goal and strengthen infrastructure performance without delay. The resulting structure offers safer, more reliable passage over Mill Run and reduces the likelihood of future flood-related disruptions.