OVERLEA, MD—Baltimore County recently began replacing almost a mile of water line on Belair Road between the Baltimore City line and Fowler Avenue.

The $6.5 million project will replace an old, 12-inch diameter, cast iron pipe with a larger, 24-inch diameter line.

The old pipe dates from 1923 and has been prone to frequent breaks in recent years, according to Baltimore County engineers.

The new line, which will take about a year to complete, will improve fire protection and the reliability of the system along the Belair Road corridor.

Crews will work at night, between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and – while there may be occasional lane closures to permit work – Belair Road will not be closed.