Eastern Boulevard Streetscape

Eastern Boulevard (MD 150) Median Design

Driving eastward from Essex to Middle River on Eastern Boulevard, you will see a sign, on the right, at Old Eastern Avenue:  Essex/Middle River-Gateway to the Chesapeake.  Just beyond, the character of the road changes, with a broad green median designed to improve water quality in Middle River and the Chesapeake Bay.

The median on Eastern Boulevard, from Selig Ave. to the Middle River Bridge, features grass berms, or low hills, and a grass swale that receives stormwater running off Eastern Boulevard. The grass in the swale filters small particles of dirt and other pollutants out of the water as it flows toward the storm drain inlet.  In addition, a significant amount of water percolates into the ground.  In the area closest to Middle River, from Bennett Rd. to the Middle River Bridge, the stormwater flows into sand filters that remove chemical pollutants from the water before it enters Middle River. 

With a standard piped system, all of the pollutants, including trash, would be washed into Middle River and the bay. The Eastern boulevard median design therefore reflects concern and responsibility for the health of Middle River and the Chesapeake Bay on the part of the people of Essex and Middle River, the State Highway Administration, and Baltimore County.     

The berms on either side of the center swale provide a visual buffer from the roadway.  When completed, the berms will be seeded with grass and planted with shade and ornamental trees.  The ends or noses of the median will be planted with shrubs and flowering perennials.  In the most intensely commercial and pedestrian section of the roadway, from Stemmers Run Road to the Middle River Bridge, the medians will be edged with a brick splash block which will enhance the appearance of the median, and protect the grass and plantings from road salt.

Maintenance of the medians will be handled by SHA District 4 Maintenance.

If you have any additional questions about the Eastern Boulevard Enhancement project, please contact Raymond Heil at (410) 887-8022, or rheil@co.ba.md.us.

Revised August 25, 2003