Baltimore Cleans Lead Paint at City Bridges
The city removed hazardous flakes from three sites, with payment for the $20,000 contract pending a November review.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Home Cleaning
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Baltimore spent $20,000 on emergency lead paint cleanup at three city bridges between June 1 and September 30, 2026. This action followed the discovery of hazardous flakes shedding from structures like the 28th Street Bridge.
Why it matters
The cleanup addresses public safety risks posed by toxic lead paint shedding onto ground areas near city infrastructure. While initial abatement is complete, the city continues to review procurement costs for these emergency environmental mitigation efforts.
The city paid for cleanup at the 28th Street, JFX Exit 8, and Orleans Street bridges. These sites tested at lead levels of 180,000 mg/kg, 63,500 mg/kg, and 27,300 mg/kg respectively.
The players
A2Z Environmental Group LLC
The private contractor hired by the city to perform emergency removal of toxic lead paint debris.
Board of Estimates
The local government body responsible for reviewing and authorizing emergency municipal spending.
The details
The city contracted A2Z Environmental Group LLC to manually remove hazardous lead paint flakes that had accumulated on the ground beneath aging bridge structures. While the ground surface is now cleaned, significant amounts of lead-based paint remain on the bridge girders themselves. This emergency approach follows a 2021 incident at TV Hill that prompted the city to join a class action lawsuit regarding toxic paint management.
Timeline
June 1, 2026: Cleanup contract period began.
September 30, 2026: Cleanup contract period ended.
November 4, 2026: Board of Estimates is scheduled to consider the procurement request.
The Home Front
This project reflects the ongoing challenges of managing lead paint on aging public infrastructure in Baltimore. It follows the precedent of the 2021 TV Hill lead paint incident, which remains a benchmark for local environmental remediation efforts.
Residents living near aging infrastructure should be aware of potential paint flaking and contact the city if they observe debris on public ground. For home-related concerns involving lead paint, consult a licensed lead abatement professional to ensure safe inspection and removal.
The takeaway
The city has completed initial ground-level cleanup, but lead paint remains present on the girders of these major local bridges. Keep a record of any hazardous debris you identify near your home and report such conditions to the city Department of Transportation.
What happens next
The Board of Estimates is scheduled to hold a vote on the $20,000 emergency procurement payment on November 4, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local environmental safety standards in our Home Cleaning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Baltimore Brew.
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