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NEWS RELEASE

February 8, 2008

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County Maintained Traffic Signals Receive Battery Power Back-up

ELLICOTT CITY, MD -- The Howard County Department of Public Works has announced that a capital project to install a backup power system at each County-maintained traffic signal has been completed.

Each battery-powered system is designed to supply up to 10 hours of backup electricity in the event of a Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) power failure at any of the 84 intersections for which Howard County Government is responsible. These comprise about half of the signals in the County. The remaining signals are owned and maintained by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA).

This project was implemented to improve the safety of motorists. In addition, the battery backup systems will eliminate the need for a police officer to take the risk of standing in the middle of a busy intersection to direct traffic.

Howard County is currently working with the SHA to install backup battery systems at 20 additional SHA owned intersections, all deemed high-priority by the SHA. Through a cost-sharing initiative between the County and the SHA, seven of the systems have been activated, and the remaining 13 systems will be activated in the near future.

For questions or concerns about Capital Project T-7095, contact Howard County’s Department of Public Works, Bureau of Highways, Traffic Engineering Division, at 410-313-2430, or by e-mail to dschwarzman@howardcountymd.gov.