Anne Arundel County Radio System Upgrade

[JoeWest4487]

I’m planning to try to watch the helicopter work on the Arundel Wells site tomorrow. It’s address is 503 College Parkway right?

 

[maus92]

Just look / listen for a helicopter (dangling half a tower)

 

[JoeWest4487]

Just look / listen for a helicopter (dangling half a tower)

Haha yeah will do, probably just going to park at the shopping center

 

[JoeWest4487]

Also this site has a bit more info. Looks like 8 20 foot sections for the Arundel Wells tower. Low Flying Helicopter To Move Large Sections Of Public Safety Radio Towers

 

[maus92]

From the linked article, it looks like the Solley addition / reconstruction is first up on the 20th.

 

[ThePhotoGuy]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1450814527101091844

 

[ThePhotoGuy]

Notice of low flying helicopter operations in Anne Arundel County
ROAD CLOSURES
Solley Tower Top Sections Replacement
Summary: Two 20’ sections will be moved by helicopter from Solley Park (7535 Solley Road, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21060) to the Solley Public Safety Radio Tower (7519 Solley Road, Curtis Bay, Maryland 21226)
Where: Solley Public Safety Radio Tower, 7519 Solley Road, Curtis Bay, Maryland 21226
Why: Replacement of the top 40 feet of Anne Arundel County Solley Public Safety Radio Tower
When: Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Impacts: Solley Road will be closed between Energy Parkway and Fort Smallwood Road from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Southbound Solley Road traffic from Fort Smallwood Road can detour south via Energy Parkway. Northbound Solley Road traffic can reach Fort Smallwood Road via Energy Parkway. Emergency vehicle traffic from Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire (Company 11) should proceed south on Solley Road when exiting the station and avoid the section of Solley Road north of the station. Emergency vehicles should return to the station using the same route. The intersection of Solley Road and Energy Parkway will be open to emergency vehicle traffic. Solley Park will be closed to the public while helicopter operations are in progress.
Arundel Fire Company 7 Public Safety Radio Tower Construction
Summary: Six 20’ sections will be moved by helicopter from the grounds of Arundel Fire Company 7 (2380 Davidsonville Road, Gambrills, Maryland 21054) to the tower located at the same address. The first 180 feet of this tower will be constructed from the ground by crane and at completion, this tower will be 300 feet.
Where: Arundel Fire Company 7 (2380 Davidsonville Road, Gambrills, Maryland 21054)
Why: Complete construction of new 300’ public safety radio tower
When: Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Impacts: The first baseball field at Bell Branch Park will be closed all day to provide a landing/rest area for the helicopter pilot during lift operations. The remainder of the park will not be affected. No road closures are anticipated for this work.
Arnold Wells Public Safety Radio Tower Construction
Summary: Eight 20’ sections will be moved by helicopter from the grounds of Central District Highways (415 Broadneck Road, Arnold, MD 21012) to the tower located at 503 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012. The first 140’ feet of this tower will be constructed from the ground by crane and at completion, this tower will be 300 feet.
Where: Arnold Wells Tower, 503 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012
Why: Complete construction of new 300’ public safety radio tower
When: Thursday, November 4, 2021, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Impacts: Period temporary closures of Bay Dale Road between Jones Station Road and College Parkway will be required as the helicopter transports materials over the roadway.

 

[JoeWest4487]

Notice of low flying helicopter operations in Anne Arundel County
ROAD CLOSURES
Solley Tower Top Sections Replacement
Summary: Two 20’ sections will be moved by helicopter from Solley Park (7535 Solley Road, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21060) to the Solley Public Safety Radio Tower (7519 Solley Road, Curtis Bay, Maryland 21226)
Where: Solley Public Safety Radio Tower, 7519 Solley Road, Curtis Bay, Maryland 21226
Why: Replacement of the top 40 feet of Anne Arundel County Solley Public Safety Radio Tower
When: Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Impacts: Solley Road will be closed between Energy Parkway and Fort Smallwood Road from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Southbound Solley Road traffic from Fort Smallwood Road can detour south via Energy Parkway. Northbound Solley Road traffic can reach Fort Smallwood Road via Energy Parkway. Emergency vehicle traffic from Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire (Company 11) should proceed south on Solley Road when exiting the station and avoid the section of Solley Road north of the station. Emergency vehicles should return to the station using the same route. The intersection of Solley Road and Energy Parkway will be open to emergency vehicle traffic. Solley Park will be closed to the public while helicopter operations are in progress.
Arundel Fire Company 7 Public Safety Radio Tower Construction
Summary: Six 20’ sections will be moved by helicopter from the grounds of Arundel Fire Company 7 (2380 Davidsonville Road, Gambrills, Maryland 21054) to the tower located at the same address. The first 180 feet of this tower will be constructed from the ground by crane and at completion, this tower will be 300 feet.
Where: Arundel Fire Company 7 (2380 Davidsonville Road, Gambrills, Maryland 21054)
Why: Complete construction of new 300’ public safety radio tower
When: Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Impacts: The first baseball field at Bell Branch Park will be closed all day to provide a landing/rest area for the helicopter pilot during lift operations. The remainder of the park will not be affected. No road closures are anticipated for this work.
Arnold Wells Public Safety Radio Tower Construction
Summary: Eight 20’ sections will be moved by helicopter from the grounds of Central District Highways (415 Broadneck Road, Arnold, MD 21012) to the tower located at 503 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012. The first 140’ feet of this tower will be constructed from the ground by crane and at completion, this tower will be 300 feet.
Where: Arnold Wells Tower, 503 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012
Why: Complete construction of new 300’ public safety radio tower
When: Thursday, November 4, 2021, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Impacts: Period temporary closures of Bay Dale Road between Jones Station Road and College Parkway will be required as the helicopter transports materials over the roadway.

Sweet thanks for the update!

 

[empire550]

 

[empire550]

That's what you're looking for. Hopefully in the air.

 

[JoeWest4487]

That's what you're looking for. Hopefully in the air.

Awesome thanks! Did you take that picture today? Also you can track it here N589S Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

 

[JoeWest4487]

Anyone seen anything today? Based on the flight aware website I think they’re working on the solley tower today. Shows occasional flights in that area

 

[maus92]

I had to work in MC and DC today - maybe tomorrow

 

[atlong]

Solley Road Tower

 

[empire550]

 

[maus92]

My question is did they remove the top portion of the tower and replace it, or did they add sections to make it taller? I'm thinking they replaced older sections to make it stronger? The blue antennas are new.

 

[empire550]

They removed 40 feet and replaced it.

 

[maus92]

Did anyone notice a degradation in service while this evolution was happening?

 

[empire550]

Mostly projected to be in building and low lying areas.

 

[ThePhotoGuy]

Did anyone notice a degradation in service while this evolution was happening?

Yes, I live within a few miles of the Tower and did notice some degradation and more scratchiness yesterday.