WASHINGTON — Just over three weeks after the second “1,000-year flood” in two years devastated historic Ellicott City, the two ends of Main Street reopened to traffic Tuesday morning.

The most severely damaged portion of Main Street, which is located at the bottom of a valley, near where several creeks enter the Patapsco River, remains closed to all but residents, business owners and property owners during the massive cleanup and rebuilding process.

Main Street reopened to two-way traffic west of Old Columbia Pike and east of Maryland Avenue at 6 a.m.

Since the May 27 storm, vehicles traveling west on Frederick Road from Baltimore County have been unable to cross the Patapsco River bridge.[custom_gallery]

Cars are required to turn left onto Maryland Avenue, to access St. Paul Street and College Avenue. New Cut Road will remain closed to traffic because of flood damage.

On the western end of Main Street, cars are able to travel from Rogers Avenue as far as Old Columbia Pike, which is just west of the lowest, most flood-prone portion of the historic district.

Also, 24 parking spaces are available in lot “B,” 27 spaces are available in lot “E” and portions of lots “F” and “G” will reopen on a space available basis as construction equipment used in the recovery is no longer needed.

Sunday, parking lot “D” reopened to the public to accommodate employees and customers of buildings outside the no access zone.