Maryland

[cpzilliacus]

The streams and waterways aren't the problem - The private estates are

But the  owners of the mansions and estates and horsefarms invariably cite "environmental protection" as a reason to not build a highway that might bring the hoi-polloi anyplace near  their viewsheds.

[cpzilliacus]

Always sad when people working on highway projects are killed or injured.

Baltimore Sun: Two highway workers killed in Northeast crash

Two highway workers under contract to the state were killed Wednesday morning along Pulaski Highway in Northeast when a car plowed into a marked construction zone, state police said.

Investigators reported that around 9 a.m., a 2006 Ford Focus westbound on Pulaski Highway near Belvidere Road crossed into the work zone and struck the two workers. Both workers were pronounced dead at the scene by Cecil County emergency medical personnel; there was no word on the condition of the driver of the Ford.

[Pulaski Highway is U.S. 40]

[NE2]

Always sad when people are killed or injured.

Fixed for you.

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun editorial: Can Md. follow Va.'s lead on transportation?
Our view: If a Republican governor can push for new transportation revenue in Virginia, surely Martin O'Malley can roll up his sleeves and back a similar effort here

The General Assembly returned to Annapolis today, and the biggest idea floating around comes from across the Potomac. With the details of Gov. Martin O'Malley's agenda a mystery for the time being, lawmakers in Maryland's capital find themselves confronted by a bold, if not altogether sound, idea from Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell to increase the commonwealth's transportation funding by $3.1 billion over the next five years. On Tuesday, he proposed eliminating the politically unpopular gas tax altogether and replacing it with higher sales taxes, a variety of fees and as-yet nonexistent revenue from taxing sales over the Internet. It may not produce enough revenue to address gridlock that's as bad as or worse than Maryland's. It raises serious questions about equity and would likely force cuts to other priorities. But it represents a much more forceful attempt to tackle a long-term threat to than the regional economy than Mr. O'Malley appears inclined to muster.

[cpzilliacus]

Md. 212 in Prince George's County has been rerouted east of I-95.

It used to follow Powder Mill Road all the way through Beltsville to the end of state maintenance at Md. 201 (Edmonston Road).  In recent years, that has involved a right turn headed east at the new intersection of Old Gunpowder Road/Ammendale Road.

Now it follows Ammendale Road, then Virginia Manor Road and finally Ritz Way, east to U.S. 1 (Baltimore Avenue).  Then south along U.S. 1 back to "old" Md.  212 at Powder Mill Road, then across the CSX tracks to Md. 201.  Powder Mill Road continues east as a federally-maintained road across the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and ultimately comes to an end at Md. 197 (Laurel Bowie Road).

Edit:  Added Virginia Manor Road to the collection of streets followed by Md. 212 (even though there are no turns between I-95 and U.S. 1).

[cpzilliacus]

Chestertown Spy:  Pipkin Pushes Bill for Bay Bridge Study In 2013 Session

For a fourth straight year, Senate Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin has sponsored a bill to study the need for a third bridge over the Chesapeake Bay. The measure would cost $35 million to have the Maryland Transportation Authority complete the study by 2018.

"We need to talk about this,"  Pipkin said in a phone interview with the Spy on Tuesday. "We need to bring those who don't want a new bridge together with the people who do, and have a discussion. We need to study its viability and its economic and environmental impact, and whether we should build or not build."

"Not having the discussion and sticking our heads in the sand won't get us anything,"  Pipkin, R-Upper Shore, said. "If we're not going to get another span, we need to talk about that because it has policy implications...if we're going to go forward, it would be 13 to 15 years before it would get done."

A report in 2004 projected Bay Bridge crossings by 2025 to increase by 25,000 on weekdays to 86,000. Saturday and Sunday crossings would increase to 140,000 during the summer months, up from the current 95,000.

[cpzilliacus]

Washington Post:  Montgomery officials seek transportation funding ideas from Northern Virginia

Montgomery County Council members, looking for ways to pay for a light-rail Purple Line and a countywide network of bus lanes, sought ideas Thursday from Northern Virginia, where new lanes just opened on the Capital Beltway and where the Silver Line Metrorail extension is almost half-finished.

During a briefing by Northern Virginia transportation officials, County Council members' questions boiled down to one: If local and state governments across the country are hurting for money, how did Virginia afford to build a $2 billion Beltway expansion and a $5.6 billion subway line?

"Why aren't we able to come up with these financing packages?"  council member George L. Leventhal (D-At Large) asked the panel.

[cpzilliacus]

TOLLROADSnews: MD bill to fund studies, planning, permitting of new Chesapeake Bay Bridge

A bill just introduced in the Maryland state Senate requires the Maryland (Toll) Transportation Authority (MdTA) to start the EIS process of studies, outreach, planning and permits needed for a new Chesapeake Bay bridge. The bill SB0093 is introduced by the Majority Minority (Republican) Leader of the state Senate E J PIpkin and other eastern shore delegates.

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun: Troubled transition shuts down city speed cameras - City speed cameras haven't issued tickets in the new year; only 17 red light tickets issued

Baltimore's speed and red light camera system has experienced a near-complete shutdown during what city officials are calling a problematic transition to a new contractor, records show, and the city's new vendor says it could take four months to get a new system running.

City officials acknowledged Tuesday that Baltimore's network of 83 speed cameras — which issued an average of about 2,300 tickets each weekday last year — has yet to issue any in 2013. And records posted on a city website show that red light cameras have issued just 17 tickets, all in the first two days of the year.

[cpzilliacus]

Washington Post: Md. Senate president proposes new gasoline tax for transportation

Maryland's powerful Senate president sought Tuesday to jump-start a stalled debate over transportation funding, offering a plan to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and urging the governor to work harder on an issue "crying out to be addressed."

In an interview with The Washington Post, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) also floated the idea of leasing the $2.6 billion Intercounty Connector (ICC) to a private operator as he outlined an approach to raising new revenue to help alleviate traffic congestion and covering the state's share of long-planned rail projects.

[algorerhythms]

George Edwards has introduced a bill to the Maryland Senate that would allow the speed limit on I-68 to be raised to 70 mph. I doubt it will pass, though.

[cpzilliacus]

George Edwards has introduced a bill to the Maryland Senate that would allow the speed limit on I-68 to be raised to 70 mph. I doubt it will pass, though.

IMO, that is the wrong way to go about it.  Much better if the Maryland General Assembly just increases the statutory maximum limit in Maryland to 70 or even 75 MPH. Then the engineers at SHA and MdTA can determine where the speed limits can be that high. 

In my opinion, 70 MPH is not appropriate for most of I-68 in Allegany County.  Especially not the substandard segment through  Cumberland.  Especially not for the long (mostly) eastbound downgrade from Finzel to Cumberland.

[cpzilliacus]

Miller also proposed Thursday leasing a state toll highway to a private operator to raise money for mass-transit projects in Baltimore and the Washington suburbs.

Not sure that the above is legal, because even though most of the money to build the ICC came from MdTA toll revenue bonds, there was also at least some federal money used, which I believe makes it legally difficult to lease it to a private concessionaire.

[algorerhythms]

George Edwards has introduced a bill to the Maryland Senate that would allow the speed limit on I-68 to be raised to 70 mph. I doubt it will pass, though.

IMO, that is the wrong way to go about it.  Much better if the Maryland General Assembly just increases the statutory maximum limit in Maryland to 70 or even 75 MPH. Then the engineers at SHA and MdTA can determine where the speed limits can be that high. 

In my opinion, 70 MPH is not appropriate for most of I-68 in Allegany County.  Especially not the substandard segment through  Cumberland.  Especially not for the long (mostly) eastbound downgrade from Finzel to Cumberland.

I would assume that if any of I-68 were to have its speed limit raised, it would be in Garrett County and eastern Allegany County, not in western Allegany County, or especially Cumberland.

[cpzilliacus]

George Edwards has introduced a bill to the Maryland Senate that would allow the speed limit on I-68 to be raised to 70 mph. I doubt it will pass, though.

IMO, that is the wrong way to go about it.  Much better if the Maryland General Assembly just increases the statutory maximum limit in Maryland to 70 or even 75 MPH. Then the engineers at SHA and MdTA can determine where the speed limits can be that high. 

In my opinion, 70 MPH is not appropriate for most of I-68 in Allegany County.  Especially not the substandard segment through  Cumberland.  Especially not for the long (mostly) eastbound downgrade from Finzel to Cumberland.

I would assume that if any of I-68 were to have its speed limit raised, it would be in Garrett County and eastern Allegany County, not in western Allegany County, or especially Cumberland.

70 MPH or even 75 MPH would seem to be fine along I-68 in most (all?) of Garrett County. 

Eastern Allegany, perhaps. I have driven all of I-68 in Maryland and West Virginia, but not for a few years, and I have a hard time drawing a line in my mind where a higher limit would be appropriate. Perhaps east of the M V Smith Road (Exit 64, Green Ridge State Forest) interchange?

[vdeane]

or especially Cumberland.

I think King Radical would approve of 70 mph.  It's most rad!

[DeaconG]

or especially Cumberland.

I think King Radical would approve of 70 mph.  It's most rad!

Ah, another Dr. McNinja fan!

[roadman65]

George Edwards has introduced a bill to the Maryland Senate that would allow the speed limit on I-68 to be raised to 70 mph. I doubt it will pass, though.

IMO, that is the wrong way to go about it.  Much better if the Maryland General Assembly just increases the statutory maximum limit in Maryland to 70 or even 75 MPH. Then the engineers at SHA and MdTA can determine where the speed limits can be that high. 

In my opinion, 70 MPH is not appropriate for most of I-68 in Allegany County.  Especially not the substandard segment through  Cumberland.  Especially not for the long (mostly) eastbound downgrade from Finzel to Cumberland.

I would assume that if any of I-68 were to have its speed limit raised, it would be in Garrett County and eastern Allegany County, not in western Allegany County, or especially Cumberland.

70 MPH or even 75 MPH would seem to be fine along I-68 in most (all?) of Garrett County. 

Eastern Allegany, perhaps. I have driven all of I-68 in Maryland and West Virginia, but not for a few years, and I have a hard time drawing a line in my mind where a higher limit would be appropriate. Perhaps east of the M V Smith Road (Exit 64, Green Ridge State Forest) interchange?

Going from 70 to 40 would prove interesting!  Even though you have it current 65 mph leading to the Cumberland Speed Zone and it would remain, it still is one hell of a drop over all.  Bad enough, you cannot get the 85 percent to do the posted 40 with it being 65 or when it was 55 back in the day.  I wonder how much more of an effect it would have if Maryland got smart and looked at the 70 mph possibility?

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun opinion piece: Miller gas tax gambit: Flawed, but perhaps necessary - Our view: Senate president's plan for local gas tax doesn't quite add up, but at least it recognizes Maryland's transportation funding shortfall and keeps the issue alive in the General Assembly

Those things that make Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller a formidable adversary in Annapolis can sure come in handy sometimes. This week, he single-handedly restored to relevancy one of the most important issues facing Maryland – a looming shortfall in transportation funding – that others in his party seem to regard as radioactive.

Call him irascible, call him egotistical, call him a bull in a china shop, but the real lesson here is to always call on the longest-serving Senate leader in Maryland history when it's time to pick up an unpopular cause like raising the gas tax. The veteran Prince George's County politician may often be wrong, but he's never in doubt.

Mind you, what President Miller is actually proposing – essentially splitting the gas tax increase between state and local governments so that, in theory, the metropolitan area could have a higher rate to finance metropolitan public transit – is not a good idea for a variety of reasons. But at least the bill, which is expected to be formally submitted next week, keeps the issue alive, providing lawmakers time to reason out a better alternative.

The Senate president also calls on the state to lease the Intercounty Connector to private interests to help provide a short-term boost in transportation funds. Such a move would be fraught with complications (including paying off the bonds that financed the project), so it's difficult to know whether that might be a wise choice for the state or not. But based on experience elsewhere, legislators should be skeptical that it would do much more than provide some short-term cash in exchange for a much larger pile of long-term toll revenue that goes to private investors and not back into local transportation projects.

[cpzilliacus]

I hope the driver of the tractor-trailer that violently struck the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department Fire Department (Prince George's County) engine gets charged (at a minimum) with violating TA § 21-901.1 (Reckless and negligent driving).

As bad as "regular" crashes on freeways are, striking a emergency response vehicle is (IMO) much worse. 

I hope the four firefighters who were injured are able to recover (according to the article and reports from the fire department, three of them have been released, but one was transferred to Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore City). 

Looks like the wagon is a total loss (though that can be replaced).

WTOP Radio: Chief: Tractor-trailer rear-ends fire truck

[cpzilliacus]

Washington Post: Grisly crash injures seven, ties up Beltway traffic early Wednesday

A grisly crash involving a tractor-trailer and a Prince George's County fire truck sent seven people, including four volunteer firefighters, to the hospital early Wednesday and caused major backups on the Capital Beltway for hours, authorities said.

One of the firefighters, a 29-year-old from Lanham, suffered a severed arm and remained in "very critical condition"  Wednesday, said Chief John Alter of the West Lanham Hills fire station. He was undergoing surgery at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Alter said.

[BrianP]

CP its better to find out what happened before trying to assign blame.  The WP article sucks by the way.  In one sentence they make it sound like the fire truck was leaving the scene of an accident:

and was headed back to the station when it was rear ended by a tractor-trailer.

And in the very next sentence they make it sound like the fire truck was arriving at the scene of the accident:

the (fire) truck was actually pulling up to the scene of that crash

Well which was it WP?

This article states that the fire truck was leaving.
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/01/495-at-route-50-accident-in-maryland-leaves-7-seriously-injured-84626.html

Late Wednesday afternoon, Prince George's County Police released their preliminary findings on the accident which had the Beltway closed for hours, saying the fire engine was just leaving an accident call when it tried to make a U-turn at an emergency vehicle access point. Police say the engine collided with a tractor trailer, which sources say had the right of way.

But that last sentence seems a bit ambiguous.  Which trucks had the right of way since both trucks are mentioned in the first part of the sentence?  My grammar knowledge is too rusty to know for sure to which truck that last part of the sentence applies.

[cpzilliacus]

CP its better to find out what happened before trying to assign blame.

Agreed. 

The initial media reports implied that the West Landover Hills engine was struck while it was at the scene of another wreck. That clearly implied that the driver of the tractor-trailer was at fault.  But now the story is different.

It bothers me that the media is reporting that MSP and the Prince George's County Police Department are conducting a "joint" investigation.

IMO, it would be much better if MSP just investigated this on their own.  They  have the  resources and the expertise to do so.

Though an MSP car was involved in a  horrendous-looking wreck in Carroll County today, so some of the MSP personnel might have had to deal with that as well.  Though I still think MSP has enough  resources to investigate both of them.

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun: Bill would force changes to city speed camera sites - Sen. Brochin wants speed cameras limited to 500 feet of schools

Quick: Name the school closest to North Charles Street and Lake Avenue in North Baltimore.

Stumped? The city's Department of Transportation has the answer: It's the Bryn Mawr School, less than a half-mile southwest of the intersection as the crow flies over the trees and side streets.

The distance matters. Charles and Lake is the site of one of the city's 75 permanent speed cameras. Under state law, the devices must lie within a half-mile of a school, or 2,640 feet. With its hundreds of schools, Baltimore is essentially one giant potential school zone, as the accompanying map shows.

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun:  In Canton, parking woes part of growing pains - City leaders charting new path to boost parking in booming neighborhood

There's a Starbucks and an Outback Steakhouse and a growing young tech company. Soon, a Harris Teeter grocery store and a Target will be built. All are helping to draw new residents to Canton.

But where to park?

"I don't know of any small part of Canton where there isn't a parking problem," said Darryl Jurkiewicz, president of the Canton Community Association. His organization has been pushing city officials for months to find solutions.