Published: May 08, 2009 10:12 pm      

Public works funds to benefit parks, wastewater plant

CUMBERLAND — Improvements will be made in two area state parks and at a local wastewater treatment plant using funds approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works.

A $1.95 million construction contract was awarded to Mid-Atlantic General Contractors of Beltsville to replace the bath house, ranger station and concessions building at Rocky Gap State Park. The contract was awarded for a one-year period.

Belt Paving of Cumberland was awarded a $347,000 contract to resurface roads and a parking lot in Dan’s Mountain State Park near Lonaconing. The contract is for a 120-day period.

The $158,888 to upgrade the Georges Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant will go toward a nutrient removal project. This is in addition to previous grants totaling $19.4 million.

Completion of the upgrades will reduce nitrogen that is discharged to the Potomac River by 83 percent and phosphorous by 85 percent in an attempt to improve the quality of water that ultimately flows to the Chesapeake Bay.

The board, which consists of the governor, comptroller and treasurer, approved the projects Wednesday.