ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

PUBLIC WORKS

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS


DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION

The Department of Public Works and Transportation oversees the County's public facilities, its roads, transportation, recycling, and waste management.

The Department operates through eight divisions: Airport Operations, Building Services, Construction and Inspections, Development Review, Engineering, Highways, Recycling and Solid Waste, and Transportation.

AIRPORT OPERATIONS DIVISION
The Airport Operations Division is responsible for the St. Mary's County Regional Airport which has been serving the general aviation needs of the community since 1969. The Division manages airport planning, grant administration, development of commuter air service, airport compliance and safety, lease management, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), economic development, and airspace protection.

Services provided at the Airport include aircraft hangar leasing, grass and paved tie-down, rental, flight school instructions, charter service, 100 low-lead and Jet A fueling, maintenance and repair services, and Maryland State Police MedEvac operations.

BUILDING SERVICES DIVISION
The Building Services Division maintains County-owned buildings, facilities, and grounds.

CONSTRUCTION & INSPECTIONS DIVISION
The Construction and Inspections Division assures that all capital projects are completed in accordance with project design and specifications. Duties include material testing, contract management, utilities coordination, guardrail replacement, maintenance paving, line striping, quantities measurements, invoice review, and construction quality control. All inspection of materials and construction for new subdivision roads, site development, and stormwater management facilities also are performed by the Division.

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DIVISION
The Development Review Division reviews development plans for site development, road and storm drain construction, stormwater management, and associated plans.

ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division designs and manages capital improvement projects. It plans future transportation systems, inspects stormwater management, and manages County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, roadway and bridge design, marine facilities, land acquisition, grant administration, budget estimating, and post construction audits.

To the St. Mary's County Regional Airport and the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Division provides technical support.

HIGHWAYS DIVISION
On July 1, 1984, St. Mary's County assumed routine maintenance on County roads and bridges. Prior to that time, the State Highway Administration's maintenance of them was approved by the County Office of the Engineer.

The Highways Division removes snow, ice, and road debris; maintains paving and road shoulders; cuts road grass; patches potholes and pavements; trims trees; repairs bridges; replaces pipes; and is responsible for drainage resolution, safety improvements, and traffic signs on County roadways.

RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE DIVISION
The Recycling and Solid Waste Division operates six residential landfills in the County. These facilities handle most solid waste needs and are equipped with recycling containers for glass, plastic, aluminum, tin, steel, newspaper, magazines, mixed paper, cardboard, old clothing and textiles, rechargeable batteries, used oil, oil filters, antifreeze, used cooking oil, electronics, fluorescent light bulbs, and seasonal phone book and Christmas tree recycling.

TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
Transportation related services formerly were performed by the Office of Central Services. On April 20, 2000, these responsibilities were transferred to the Transportation Division of the Department of Public Works by the Board of County Commissioners.

The Division operates the St. Mary's Transit System (STS), manages the County's vehicle fleet, and is responsible for the purchase, maintenance, and replacement of all County vehicles and heavy construction equipment. The Division also oversees nonpublic school bus transportation and school bus driver training, grant administration, central mailroom and messenger services, and administers the Bus Driver Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

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