Two state roadway resurfacing projects are underway in Howard County.

Crews are resurfacing a half-mile of Route 108 (Old Annapolis Road) between Route 29 and Bendix Road in Columbia, and a stretch of Route 216.

State Highway Administration spokesman Charlie Gischlar said the $1 million Route 108 project has crews patching, paving and striping Route 108 as well as the 99-space park-and-ride area and its access road next to Route 29. Upgrades and repairs will also be made to the guardrail and road signs.

Gischlar said about 23,000 vehicles travel the stretch every day. The project is expected to be completed by late fall, he said, weather permitting. While most construction occurs overnight, Sundays through Thursdays between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., crews may occasionally close one lane Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The park-and-ride will also be closed during its paving with signs posted to alert commuters.

More than a mile of resurfacing of Route 216 between the Prince George's County line and Stephen's Road began last month, Gischlar said, and is expected to be complete in late fall. In addition to resurfacing, a new guardrail and reflective pavement markers will be installed to enhance driver safety. The project cost is estimated at $1.8 million.

Howard County Summer Theatre makes donations

Howard County Summer Theatre stages theatrical productions each year and awards grants from proceeds to the community. This year, the organization has awarded $12,000 — including $5,000 for victims of the Ellicott City flood.

“The historic flood in Ellicott City affected the entire county, including several members of the HCST community who live and work in the affected areas,” said officials of the summer theater in a press release.

From its 2016 summer productions of “Irving Berlin's White Christmas” and “Hairspray Jr.,” the theater company donated a total of $7,000 to three nonprofits — Prepare for Success, the Salvation Army and the USO.

The organization decided to donate $3,000 to the Ellicott City Partnership and $2,000 to the Community Action Council, with funds designated for flood victims.

“We take great pride in the quality of our shows, but we are even more proud of the support we are able to provide to the Howard County community,” said Chuck Bagley, HCST vice president.

— Lisa Gueli Regnante

Times changed for public meetings on transit plans

County officials have revised the times of several public meetings throughout October to discuss the updated short-range Transit Development Plan for Central Maryland.

The meetings address transit services along Howard, Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties as well as the city of Laurel.

The plan will also outline services and improvements over the next five years.

Meetings will be held in Howard County on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive; Thursday, Oct. 20, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road; and Thursday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Gateway Building, 6751 Gateway Drive.

— Andrew Michaels