Maryland

[cpzilliacus]

If we're not widening freeways (non toll or HOT wise) or doing mass transit, what exactly are we as a state doing?

Not much.  There are IMO many elected officials that prefer that approach, because this is a controversial subject. 

When constituents complain about congestion, the elected officials can  respond that it is "being studied" (the classic Montgomery County approach).

They  can also say  that "transit is a priority" in the area in question, even though transit does not generally produce reductions in highway traffic congestion, at least not in Maryland.

Then can also say that "there is no money" for that (regardless of the merits of that, something that tax-averse elected officials presumably like, since they do not want to increase state motor fuel taxes) or "it's not in the master plan" (also a preferred Montgomery County approach).

[The Ghostbuster]

Does anyone know if the US 301 Gov. Harry Nice Memorial Bridge across the Potomac will ever be widened to 4 lanes? The approaches on the Virginia and Maryland sides of the bridge are 4 lanes for extensive lengths.

[BrianP]

Studying the alternatives and choosing one has been done.  But no funding for anything else AFAIK.
http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/Nicebridge/nice_index.html

[cpzilliacus]

Washington Post: New coalition wants a better ride for I-270 commuters

A political, civic and business coalition launched a campaign Monday to build support for what one leader described as "transformative"  change along traffic-choked Interstate 270 in Maryland.

For their campaign kickoff, the group was savvy about picking a backdrop: They positioned themselves atop a slope in Germantown leading down to the highway. Through the wrap-up of their news conference about 9:15 a.m., the southbound traffic remained heavy and slow heading to the Capital Beltway, 16 miles away.

The coalition wants to revive dormant state studies that could lead to the addition of express toll lanes, which could manage traffic and provide lane space and financial support for a regional rapid bus system. The regional buses would provide a limited stop service between Frederick and Rock Spring Park in the North Bethesda area, offering connections along the way to other transit and bus services. The coalition also supports construction of a local rapid bus system, known as the Corridor Cities Transitway, to link centers of activity between Shady Grove and Clarksburg.

[cpzilliacus]

Studying the alternatives and choosing one has been done.  But no funding for anything else AFAIK.
http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/Nicebridge/nice_index.html

Unfortunately, you are correct.  And the toll cuts courtesy of Gov. Larry Hogan on all state toll roads and toll crossings did not help.

[The Ghostbuster]

About the Fix 270 Now coalition: I would say that everything the coalition wants should be implemented. And it should run the entire length of Interstate 270, and also find a way to do the same to the Capital Beltway.

[cpzilliacus]

Why Maryland needs a reckless driving law like Virginia (with a criminal record, jail time and vehicle forfeiture provisions) in the next meeting of the General Assembly:

Bikers pursued by police after reckless driving, heckling off-duty Md. trooper

[jcn]

Going off topic here, I would like to ask you all if anyone has noticed the brand new high mast lights on I-95 at exit 93, and if you all have noticed them, I would like to ask you all what you think of those new high mast lights compared to the old ones that were previously there?

[cpzilliacus]

Going off topic here, I would like to ask you all if anyone has noticed the brand new high mast lights on I-95 at exit 93, and if you all have noticed them, I would like to ask you all what you think of those new high mast lights compared to the old ones that were previously there?

I have not been by there recently in the dark, so I do not know, though I recall that MDTA recently advertised a contract for high-mast light replacements.  Are the new high-masts using  some sort of LED technology, or are they still sodium vapor?

[jcn]

Going off topic here, I would like to ask you all if anyone has noticed the brand new high mast lights on I-95 at exit 93, and if you all have noticed them, I would like to ask you all what you think of those new high mast lights compared to the old ones that were previously there?

I have not been by there recently in the dark, so I do not know, though I recall that MDTA recently advertised a contract for high-mast light replacements.  Are the new high-masts using  some sort of LED technology, or are they still sodium vapor?

The old high masts at exit 93 actually used mercury vapor, I'm not sure what the new ones are using though.  Where did you find that contract advertisement by the way?

[cpzilliacus]

Going off topic here, I would like to ask you all if anyone has noticed the brand new high mast lights on I-95 at exit 93, and if you all have noticed them, I would like to ask you all what you think of those new high mast lights compared to the old ones that were previously there?

I have not been by there recently in the dark, so I do not know, though I recall that MDTA recently advertised a contract for high-mast light replacements.  Are the new high-masts using  some sort of LED technology, or are they still sodium vapor?

The old high masts at exit 93 actually used mercury vapor, I'm not sure what the new ones are using though.  Where did you find that contract advertisement by the way?

I  think I saw it on Maryland Marketplace - or maybe in the MDTA section of the Maryland DOT Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), which means it may not have shown up in Maryland Marketplace (not an especially user-friendly site).

[jcn]

Going off topic here, I would like to ask you all if anyone has noticed the brand new high mast lights on I-95 at exit 93, and if you all have noticed them, I would like to ask you all what you think of those new high mast lights compared to the old ones that were previously there?

I have not been by there recently in the dark, so I do not know, though I recall that MDTA recently advertised a contract for high-mast light replacements.  Are the new high-masts using  some sort of LED technology, or are they still sodium vapor?

The old high masts at exit 93 actually used mercury vapor, I'm not sure what the new ones are using though.  Where did you find that contract advertisement by the way?

I  think I saw it on Maryland Marketplace - or maybe in the MDTA section of the Maryland DOT Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), which means it may not have shown up in Maryland Marketplace (not an especially user-friendly site).

Okay, I'm mainly making sure you aren't confusing this with the high mast lighting project they plan on doing where they'll be replacing the high masts all along the I-95 corridor in Baltimore as well.

[cpzilliacus]

Okay, I'm mainly making sure you aren't confusing this with the high mast lighting project they plan on doing where they'll be replacing the high masts all along the I-95 corridor in Baltimore as well.

It may  be. 

I know that the JFK Highway part of I-95 was the probably the last section of Interstate in Maryland to have mercury vapor conventional luminaires, but they were all replaced by sodium vapor when the service plazas were rebuilt.

[jcn]

Okay, I'm mainly making sure you aren't confusing this with the high mast lighting project they plan on doing where they'll be replacing the high masts all along the I-95 corridor in Baltimore as well.

It may  be. 

I know that the JFK Highway part of I-95 was the probably the last section of Interstate in Maryland to have mercury vapor conventional luminaires, but they were all replaced by sodium vapor when the service plazas were rebuilt.

Turns out it has plans for both projects, and I have to tell you, the new high masts that will be built along the 95 corridor in Baltimore will be quite amazing.  Some of the new high masts will literally have 12 luminaires like at the FMT toll plaza for instance.  The new high masts that will be built in Baltimore are kind of a nod to Houston.

[jwolfer]

Why Maryland needs a reckless driving law like Virginia (with a criminal record, jail time and vehicle forfeiture provisions) in the next meeting of the General Assembly:

Bikers pursued by police after reckless driving, heckling off-duty Md. trooper

If they cant identify the motorcyclist ehat good would anither law do? Its already against the law.

LGMS428

[cpzilliacus]

Why Maryland needs a reckless driving law like Virginia (with a criminal record, jail time and vehicle forfeiture provisions) in the next meeting of the General Assembly:

Bikers pursued by police after reckless driving, heckling off-duty Md. trooper

If they cant identify the motorcyclist ehat good would anither law do? Its already against the law.

Crotch rocket motorcycles tend to run in packs in Maryland.  One of each pack should be chased-down with a drone aircraft, charged with reckless driving and have his or her motorcycle seized with the intent of forfeiting it.

Problem will eventually go away.

[epzik8]

Does anyone know if the US 301 Gov. Harry Nice Memorial Bridge across the Potomac will ever be widened to 4 lanes? The approaches on the Virginia and Maryland sides of the bridge are 4 lanes for extensive lengths.

I just don't know if that's feasible, due to the "hump" at the middle of the bridge. But I could be wrong.

[The Ghostbuster]

Would it be possible to build a new bridge that bypasses that "hump?"

[cpzilliacus]

Does anyone know if the US 301 Gov. Harry Nice Memorial Bridge across the Potomac will ever be widened to 4 lanes? The approaches on the Virginia and Maryland sides of the bridge are 4 lanes for extensive lengths.

I just don't know if that's feasible, due to the "hump" at the middle of the bridge. But I could be wrong.

The way that the bridge was designed with a "through" truss span makes it unlikely that it can be widened through the  "hump," which exists there because that's the navigation channel below. Also, the travel lanes across the bridge are narrower than what they should be for current highway design.

[jwolfer]

Would it be possible to build a new bridge that bypasses that "hump?"

I would think it could be built like i4 over the St Johns River near Sanford,FL. Build 2 new bridges adjacent. They have been collecting tolls for over 70 years, and will forever. 

Really i am surprsed there was not an extra span built in the 1950s or 60s.  Its not like there is anything extraordanary about the crossing location

LGMS428

[cpzilliacus]

The project to replace the at-grade signalized intersection at MD-4 (Pennsylvania Avenue) and Suitland Parkway in Forestville has been advertised on Maryland Marketplace, bid number MDJ0231029486 and SHA contract number PG6185170R.

Note that link below may  not work (in other words, you may  have to visit the Maryland Marketplace Web site and pull up the contract information by searching there.

https://emaryland.buyspeed.com/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?bidId=MDJ0231029486&parentUrl=activeBids

[TheOneKEA]

http://apps.roads.maryland.gov/WebProjectLifeCycle/ProjectInformation.aspx?projectno=PG7005116

The new interchange being built on MD 210 in PG County has left entrance and exit ramps similar to those used at the Moravia Road and MD 43 interchanges on I-895 and I-95. I am surprised that this design was chosen, as opposed to a compressed SPUI.

[1995hoo]

Heh. Based on my entirely unscientific observations, putting it on the left means it will be where 75% of the drivers attempt to drive anyway. "Keep Left Except When Utterly Desperate" appears to be the rule of the road over there!

[epzik8]

Okay, is I-97 being widened south of Crownsville? There was some work going on in the median when I drove through there northbound yesterday.

[cpzilliacus]

Okay, is I-97 being widened south of Crownsville? There was some work going on in the median when I drove through there northbound yesterday.

No, not at this time.  That's all work associated with hardening the median barrier and improved stormwater controls.  A widening here could presumably be warranted.