Maryland

[Alps]

Off-topic discussion has been elimitanted

Also, CP, please stop posting articles that aren't related to roads. Just because something happens on a road, does not make it related to the topic of roads per this forum. Crashes are not related, unless there is a particular substandard feature or result of the crash that is related to the road at hand. Drunk driving is not related. Etc.

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun: Toll rates set for I-95 express lanes - MdTA says rates will start at low end of approved scale

The average rush-hour commuter will pay about $3.50 in daily round-trip tolls to use the new express lanes being built along Interstate 95 north of Baltimore, according to a rate structure approved by the Maryland Transportation Authority's board on Thursday.

Peak-hour rates will be set at 25 cents per mile along the 7-mile stretch for two-axle vehicles, with drivers paying 20 cents per mile during off-peak hours and 10 cents per mile during overnight hours.

Those rates fall at the low end of the toll range approved in September by the board, based on recommendations from MdTA staff, who considered consultants' reports on traffic volumes and the value of drivers' time.

[mc78andrew]

Have any of the HOT lane operators considered offering a limited number of monthly passes to use the toll lanes for a fixed rate?  It could help them drive revenue, especially if they were to jack the toll rates a little more for those that want the flexibility to pay as you go.

I think it would be awesome if there were a fixed number of cars allowed in the HOT lanes.  Then drivers could place their bid for how much they want to pay via smart phone.  The system would then respond back with whether their bid had been accepted or rejected with another higher price offer.

[froggie]

The problem with that approach is that the HOV users can still ride for free, and there would still be some variability in how many HOV users there would be.

[1995hoo]

Note that Maryland's I-95 "Express Toll Lanes" are not HO/T lanes. They're simply express lanes: Anyone may use them as long as you pay the toll (subject to any restrictions for things like HAZMATs or big trucks–I have no idea if any such restrictions will apply). There won't be an HOV exemption of the sort Virginia allows.

[cpzilliacus]

Note that Maryland's I-95 "Express Toll Lanes" are not HO/T lanes. They're simply express lanes: Anyone may use them as long as you pay the toll (subject to any restrictions for things like HAZMATs or big trucks–I have no idea if any such restrictions will apply). There won't be an HOV exemption of the sort Virginia allows.

I believe all vehicles will be allowed in the I-95 ETLs, though southbound that may be an issue for HAZMAT loads, since if such a truck enters them north of Md. 43, they will be committed to I-95 headed for the Fort McHenry Tunnel or I-895 headed for the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (though they have opportunity to exit those prior to the tunnel portals on I-95 and I-895).

HAZMATs are not allowed to cross either tunnel  For some reason (toll revenue, perhaps(?)), signage by MdTA and SHA tries to encourage them to use I-695 across the F.S. Key Bridge, not I-695 across the "topside" of Baltimore.  Traffic volumes are also lower across most of the southern route as well, though the Baltimore Beltway between I-95 and the FSK Bridge is not exactly Interstate-standard (and even though it is signed that way, it is still internally considered Md. 695).

[Alps]

Note that Maryland's I-95 "Express Toll Lanes" are not HO/T lanes. They're simply express lanes: Anyone may use them as long as you pay the toll (subject to any restrictions for things like HAZMATs or big trucks–I have no idea if any such restrictions will apply). There won't be an HOV exemption of the sort Virginia allows.

I believe all vehicles will be allowed in the I-95 ETLs, though southbound that may be an issue for HAZMAT loads, since if such a truck enters them north of Md. 43, they will be committed to I-95 headed for the Fort McHenry Tunnel or I-895 headed for the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (though they have opportunity to exit those prior to the tunnel portals on I-95 and I-895).

HAZMATs are not allowed to cross either tunnel  For some reason (toll revenue, perhaps(?)), signage by MdTA and SHA tries to encourage them to use I-695 across the F.S. Key Bridge, not I-695 across the "topside" of Baltimore.  Traffic volumes are also lower across most of the southern route as well, though the Baltimore Beltway between I-95 and the FSK Bridge is not exactly Interstate-standard (and even though it is signed that way, it is still internally considered Md. 695).

Key Bridge is also the shorter route vs. the western half of the beltway. While toll revenue is one factor, there are definitely others.

[NE2]

It's also a mainly industrial area with less traffic, better for hazmats.

[kj3400]

It's still only 4 lanes though.

[NE2]

It's still only 4 lanes though.

So? Is it four overloaded lanes or four freely-flowing lanes?

[cpzilliacus]

It's still only 4 lanes though.

Thanks to the massive loss of jobs when the Sparrows Point steel mill was shut-down for good recently, four lanes is plenty enough.  And even when Sparrows point was running in the 1970's, the approaches on both sides of the Francis Scott Key Bridge were both Super-2-type roads.  The approach on the west side (from Glen Burnie) was upgraded to four lanes divided in the 1980's, the east side approach from Sparrows Point and Middle River was upgraded in the late 1990's. 

[TheOneKEA]

It always puzzled me that so many miles of freeway were planned for eastern Baltimore County; we could have had the Outer Crossing of the Back River, the rest of the Windlass Freeway and the existing Beltway all serving the area. It would have been grossly over adequate for the industrial presence in the area today; the only way it would have been worthwhile is if the Back River crossing had been replaced with a Northern Bay Bridge instead.

On a different note, it is now more obvious to me than ever that the MdTA will regret it if they don't amend their 2003 Master Plan for I-95. I was up there a few days ago and it is apparent now that weekday traffic levels are rising to a point where ending the ETLs at Exit 80 will eliminate a major opportunity to further improve capacity. I firmly believe that the MdTA should study an extension of the ETLs all the way to Exit 89 (MD 155) and the replacement of the Tydings Bridge with a 10-lane facility that is sufficiently wide to allow the inner 2 travel lanes to be segregated for ETLs in the future.

[1995hoo]

.... and the replacement of the Tydings Bridge with a 10-lane facility that is sufficiently wide to allow the inner 2 travel lanes to be segregated for ETLs in the future.

This being Maryland you need to phrase that differently!!!! The irrational types will balk at "segregated" even though it's the perfectly accurate word.

[Alps]

.... and the replacement of the Tydings Bridge with a 10-lane facility that is sufficiently wide to allow the inner 2 travel lanes to be segregated for ETLs in the future.

This being Maryland you need to phrase that differently!!!! The irrational types will balk at "segregated" even though it's the perfectly accurate word.

Actually, you're the irrational one for manufacturing that controversy.

[1995hoo]

.... and the replacement of the Tydings Bridge with a 10-lane facility that is sufficiently wide to allow the inner 2 travel lanes to be segregated for ETLs in the future.

This being Maryland you need to phrase that differently!!!! The irrational types will balk at "segregated" even though it's the perfectly accurate word.

Actually, you're the irrational one for manufacturing that controversy.

Misplaced your sense of humor? I thought my comment was so obviously absurd that a smiley wasn't needed, but I guess that only applies to a certain other poster. Sorry for misunderstanding how things are.

[Alps]

.... and the replacement of the Tydings Bridge with a 10-lane facility that is sufficiently wide to allow the inner 2 travel lanes to be segregated for ETLs in the future.

This being Maryland you need to phrase that differently!!!! The irrational types will balk at "segregated" even though it's the perfectly accurate word.

Actually, you're the irrational one for manufacturing that controversy.

Misplaced your sense of humor? I thought my comment was so obviously absurd that a smiley wasn't needed, but I guess that only applies to a certain other poster. Sorry for misunderstanding how things are.

I am the first, and remain the only, person who cannot recognize typed sarcasm on the Internet.

[hbelkins]

I am the first, and remain the only, person who cannot recognize typed sarcasm on the Internet.

You're not the Lone Ranger. I miss it sometimes too.

[Alps]

I am the first, and remain the only, person who cannot recognize typed sarcasm on the Internet.

You're not the Lone Ranger. I miss it sometimes too.

(like right there)

[lepidopteran]

New Maryland House travel plaza set to open in mid-January

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Jan. 13th, as part of a "sneak peek".

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/aberdeen-havre-de-grace/ph-ag-maryland-house-update-0108-20140108,0,1522063.story

They said that Chesapeake House will close once Maryland House opens.  I noticed that there has already been significant construction of the new Chesapeake service plaza with the old one still open, so maybe it won't have to be closed for as long.

[D-Dey65]

New Maryland House travel plaza set to open in mid-January

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Jan. 13th, as part of a "sneak peek".

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/aberdeen-havre-de-grace/ph-ag-maryland-house-update-0108-20140108,0,1522063.story

They said that Chesapeake House will close once Maryland House opens.  I noticed that there has already been significant construction of the new Chesapeake service plaza with the old one still open, so maybe it won't have to be closed for as long.

Can we be sure the weather won't interfere with either the reopening of Maryland House and closing of Chesapeake House?

And what about the preservation of the historical markers?

[BrianP]

New Maryland House travel plaza set to open in mid-January

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Jan. 13th, as part of a "sneak peek".

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/aberdeen-havre-de-grace/ph-ag-maryland-house-update-0108-20140108,0,1522063.story

They said that Chesapeake House will close once Maryland House opens.  I noticed that there has already been significant construction of the new Chesapeake service plaza with the old one still open, so maybe it won't have to be closed for as long.

I passed by there last night and the whole place was lit up.  The site itself looked ready to go.  They just have to get the signage along the highway up and the ramps reopened.

[cpzilliacus]

I passed by there last night and the whole place was lit up.  The site itself looked ready to go.  They just have to get the signage along the highway up and the ramps reopened.

Baltimore Sun: Maryland House set to open by midnight Thursday

The new $30 million Maryland House Travel Plaza along I-95 near Aberdeen will officially open to the public by midnight Thursday, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority and plaza manager Areas USA.

Around 6 p.m., last-minute details were being taken care of, such as placing signs and moving construction barrels, Cheryl Sparks of the Maryland Transportation Authority said Thursday evening. The new plaza could open earlier than midnight, depending when those details are finished, she said.

With the Maryland House opening, the Chesapeake House Travel Plaza on I-95 in Cecil County will close for reconstruction sometime Friday morning, Sparks said. Highway signs will notify motorists of the changes.

[cpzilliacus]

Images on Facebook (you should be able to access even if you don't do Facebook) from the reconstructed Maryland House, and featuring a few AAROADS friends.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202201975122959.1073741835.1596953667&type=1&l=8c9c8bae9d

[NJRoadfan]

No more trigger burgers?

[cpzilliacus]

No more trigger burgers?

Not there!  You can get one at a brand-new Roy Rogers located on Md. 198 just west of U.S. 29 (less than 3 miles west of I-95) in Burtonsville, Montgomery County, Md.