Maryland

[bsmart]

Delaware used to have coin booths at each of the entrances but removed them years ago.  My wifes family is from Elkton and I cannot get them to use I-95 to go anywhere in Delaware.  They insist on using Rt 7 all the way up to Christiana instead of hopping on 95 at Rt 896.  When I ask why they say 'its faster' (It isn't usually) or 'that is the way we always go' .  I think it goes back to when they had to throw a quarter in th bin as they got on I 95.

Of course I have been known to get off at Elkton get on Muddy Lane (it used to be a dirt road) over to Rt 7 then get back on at 896.  By the way what is the toll at the Delaware line these days?  I can't remember the last time I went through the plaza.

[cpzilliacus]

Delaware used to have coin booths at each of the entrances but removed them years ago.

So did Maryland (prior to about 1982). 

My wifes family is from Elkton and I cannot get them to use I-95 to go anywhere in Delaware.  They insist on using Rt 7 all the way up to Christiana instead of hopping on 95 at Rt 896.  When I ask why they say 'its faster' (It isn't usually) or 'that is the way we always go' .  I think it goes back to when they had to throw a quarter in th bin as they got on I 95.

There's the bypass route through Newark that others here have described (northbound it is to exit at Exit 109 (Md. 279 North) which becomes Del. 2, then right on Del. 896/Del. 4 (Christiana Parkway); then right on Del. 896 (South College Parkway) back to I-95. 

U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) is a decent way to shunpike to the south, though taking Md. 279 south to U.S. 40 means going pretty far out of the way, because of 279's northeast/southwest orientation.

Of course I have been known to get off at Elkton get on Muddy Lane (it used to be a dirt road) over to Rt 7 then get back on at 896.  By the way what is the toll at the Delaware line these days?  I can't remember the last time I went through the plaza.

$4 each way according to DelDOT.

[bsmart]

Southbound I like the Delaware 2-Delaware 4 alternative.  Northbound I still tend to use Rt 7.  But usually I've stopped in Elkton Anyway so which rt I take depends on my next stop.  Since the Parents have passed on we don't go up as much as we used to.

As I remember it Maryland removed the toll booths on ramps a while before Delaware did.  But it was a long time ago for both.

[cpzilliacus]

Southbound I like the Delaware 2-Delaware 4 alternative.  Northbound I still tend to use Rt 7.  But usually I've stopped in Elkton Anyway so which rt I take depends on my next stop.  Since the Parents have passed on we don't go up as much as we used to.

That's an unfortunate reason.

As I remember it Maryland removed the toll booths on ramps a while before Delaware did.  But it was a long time ago for both.

Maryland had them up to the early 1980's.  The removal of the ramp tolls were mandated in 1981 by the General Assembly, when it amended the state's Transportation Article to include §4—312.1.

[cpzilliacus]

TOLLROADSnews: A tolls proposal right here in Frederick MD on 'my' 15 - a Xmas present!

State senator Ron Young (Dem, Frederick), a former mayor of Frederick City and long the most prominent local pol has introduced a bill in the Maryland state Senate (SB15) to seek the federal OK for a toll on US15 at a single toll point at the Pennsylvania border. The bill scheduled for a first reading January 9 specifies that the toll revenues raised be used for:

(1) a US15 interchange at Monocacy Boulevard on the immediate northside of Frederick city

(2) widening the US15 expressway within the city of Frederick from 2x2 lanes to three lanes each direction

(3) upgrading US15 between immediately north of Frederick from surface arterial to full expressway standard  with grade separations up to the Pennsylvania border.

The first two projects here in the city are almost through the planning and permitting processes, and have only stalled because of the total lack of money in Annapolis or DC to actually build anything major.

[cpzilliacus]

WTOP Radio: Ready for a new toll in Maryland?

A new toll could be added one of the D.C. region's busy roads, if a state lawmaker gets his way.

The idea is to add a new toll at the Maryland border with Pennsylvania along U.S. Route 15, and it comes in a bill introduced by Maryland Sen. Ron Young.

He wants the money to help pay for three road projects, including a Route 15 interchange at Monocacy Boulevard north of the city of Frederick, and the widening of Route 15 in the city of Frederick from two to three lanes in each direction.

TollRoads News reports both of these projects are basically on hold because of a lack of money to pay for them.

[Alps]

WTOP Radio: Ready for a new toll in Maryland?

TollRoads News reports both of these projects are basically on hold because of a lack of money to pay for them.

Makes me question WTOP's journalism when they cite someone's opinion as fact. It's a bad sign that this is spreading in US journalism in general.

[cpzilliacus]

WTOP Radio: Ready for a new toll in Maryland?

TollRoads News reports both of these projects are basically on hold because of a lack of money to pay for them.

Makes me question WTOP's journalism when they cite someone's opinion as fact. It's a bad sign that this is spreading in US journalism in general.

I know you don't like Peter and the things he writes, and I am not going to defend him here. 

But there are two facts here:

(1) The state of Maryland does not have money to fund projects like this (and train projects like the Baltimore Red Line and the Purple Line in the suburbs of D.C.) with the current low motor fuel tax rates; and

(2) State Sen. Young has pre-filed a bill in the Maryland General Assembly on this - don't take my word for it, you  can look it up yourself here.

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun: Residents who paid tickets want full audit of speed cameras -  Legal recourse possible even if tickets were paid, experts say

[bsmart]

What irritates me about US 15 in Frederick (and yes it is my local road also) is that when they rebuilt the 5 bridges mentioned in teh article 10 years  ago they didn't widen them then! They took each bridge and closed 1/2 of it at a time to completly replace the structure and rebuilt it to the '50s capacity.  Since they were doing so much work why didn't they add the extra structure to allow it to be widened in the future if they weren't going to do it then.

I also think they need a high speed road from the east side of Frederick  (East of the airport) that would connect with 15 north of Hayward Road (I would like to see the interchange they are calling for at Monocacy Blvd to be where it joins in.  This would reduce the traffic on I-70 to 15 (which backs up every day now) and get northbound thru traffic off 15.  Monocacy Blvd (now pretty much complete from I-70 to Rt 26) is good but it really isn't meant for thru traffic (especially trucks)

[cpzilliacus]

What irritates me about US 15 in Frederick (and yes it is my local road also) is that when they rebuilt the 5 bridges mentioned in teh article 10 years  ago they didn't widen them then! They took each bridge and closed 1/2 of it at a time to completly replace the structure and rebuilt it to the '50s capacity.  Since they were doing so much work why didn't they add the extra structure to allow it to be widened in the future if they weren't going to do it then.

Could there have been right-of-way constraints (given that U.S. 15 goes above several of the crossing roads) which may have made it difficult to build the bridges with a wider footprint?  I know that it is Maryland DOT policy to widen bridges when they are redecked in at least some instances.

I also think they need a high speed road from the east side of Frederick  (East of the airport) that would connect with 15 north of Hayward Road (I would like to see the interchange they are calling for at Monocacy Blvd to be where it joins in.  This would reduce the traffic on I-70 to 15 (which backs up every day now) and get northbound thru traffic off 15.  Monocacy Blvd (now pretty much complete from I-70 to Rt 26) is good but it really isn't meant for thru traffic (especially trucks)

As I understand the political geography of the City of Frederick, growth has been encouraged to the west of the downtown, and in particular not to the east, perhaps because of the presence of the Monocacy River (and its floodplain).

What you are essentially asking for is a full circumferential highway around the city, which would involve approvals by the city, as well as Frederick County.  I am not saying that this is a bad idea per se, but I don't think I have ever seen this on any planning maps.

[Alps]

WTOP Radio: Ready for a new toll in Maryland?

TollRoads News reports both of these projects are basically on hold because of a lack of money to pay for them.

Makes me question WTOP's journalism when they cite someone's opinion as fact. It's a bad sign that this is spreading in US journalism in general.

I know you don't like Peter and the things he writes, and I am not going to defend him here. 

But there are two facts here:

(1) The state of Maryland does not have money to fund projects like this (and train projects like the Baltimore Red Line and the Purple Line in the suburbs of D.C.) with the current low motor fuel tax rates; and

(2) State Sen. Young has pre-filed a bill in the Maryland General Assembly on this - don't take my word for it, you  can look it up yourself here.

If there are legitimate factual sources, as cited in #2, THAT is what any newspaper article should be citing. Even if Toll Roads News were on the level of New York Times, you STILL don't cite another newspaper's work. Either copy their article, or do the investigation to satisfy yourself that the sources are correct. You have to admit it's shoddy journalism.

[BrianP]

Staying on the Frederick County subject:
Study: Frederick traffic congestion likely to get worse
http://www.gazette.net/article/20121227/NEWS/712279936/1016/study-frederick-traffic-congestion-likely-to-get-worse&template=gazette

Kirby said over the next 27 years, dramatic job growth is expect to occur in Loudoun and Prince William counties in Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George's counties, but not in Frederick County.

Kirby said Loudoun County will see the most growth in jobs because of its proximity to the Dulles Airport and the Dulles Toll Road.

"There is also a big influx of high-tech jobs and defense spending in Virginia,"  he said. "It is the fastest-growing area in the region."

Ron Kirby is the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board's transportation planning director.

This makes me think that if a Potomac crossing west of the beltway is built it is more likely to happen in Frederick County.  Although I admit this could be what Maryland would want and not what Virginia wants.  Virginia probably would push for a crossing further east.   The new highway would probably involve the US 15 corridor.  It could be as far east as MD 85.  But I would think that is less likely.  There already is a US 15 tie into US 340.  Although that would have to be reconstructed.  And US 15 south of there is much like a super-2 that can be upgraded.  But the actual river crossing would have to east of Point of Rocks and the Heaters Island Wildlife Management Area.  I don't think you could use the current crossing since there is a tight turn on the Virginia side.  Also in Virginia I think you would have to have a new highway alignment.  US 15 there is a vital north-south artery for local traffic.  Then the highway could tie into the north end of the Leesburg bypass. 

Then Frederick residents would be more likely to look for work in Northern Virgina than now.

[cpzilliacus]

Washington Post editorial: Get Maryland moving

MARYLAND HASN'T been quite the laggard that Virginia has been in terms of raising enough money for the state's roads, rails, bridges and tunnels, but it's close. Virginia last raised its per gallon gas tax – the major source of transportation funding – in 1986. Maryland last raised its own levy, albeit to a higher level, in 1992. In both cases the outlook is bleak.

At current trends, Virginia will run out of funds to design and build new transportation projects in 2017; Maryland's fund will be empty a year later. And neither Richmond nor Annapolis seems to have the political spine to come to grips with what amounts to a breakdown in the government's basic obligation to provide adequate infrastructure.

[bsmart]

Staying on the Frederick County subject:
Study: Frederick traffic congestion likely to get worse
http://www.gazette.net/article/20121227/NEWS/712279936/1016/study-frederick-traffic-congestion-likely-to-get-worse&template=gazette

Kirby said over the next 27 years, dramatic job growth is expect to occur in Loudoun and Prince William counties in Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George's counties, but not in Frederick County.

Kirby said Loudoun County will see the most growth in jobs because of its proximity to the Dulles Airport and the Dulles Toll Road.

"There is also a big influx of high-tech jobs and defense spending in Virginia,"  he said. "It is the fastest-growing area in the region."

Ron Kirby is the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board's transportation planning director.

This makes me think that if a Potomac crossing west of the beltway is built it is more likely to happen in Frederick County.  Although I admit this could be what Maryland would want and not what Virginia wants.  Virginia probably would push for a crossing further east.   The new highway would probably involve the US 15 corridor.  It could be as far east as MD 85.  But I would think that is less likely.  There already is a US 15 tie into US 340.  Although that would have to be reconstructed.  And US 15 south of there is much like a super-2 that can be upgraded.  But the actual river crossing would have to east of Point of Rocks and the Heaters Island Wildlife Management Area.  I don't think you could use the current crossing since there is a tight turn on the Virginia side.  Also in Virginia I think you would have to have a new highway alignment.  US 15 there is a vital north-south artery for local traffic.  Then the highway could tie into the north end of the Leesburg bypass. 

Then Frederick residents would be more likely to look for work in Northern Virgina than now.

Frederick County traffic has no choice but to get worse.  The current County Commissioners under the guise of being 'Business Friendly' set the impact fee charged to developers at 0% meaning that they do not have to pay into a fund to build infrastructure in the county.  It seems we jump from one extreme to the other here in Frederick County.  I don't think there is any chance of upgrading US 15 between US 340 and the river because the State doesn't want that route to become a major bypass for the Washington Beltway traffic so will not put any effort into it

[bsmart]

Has anyone here received an invitation to Maryland's '2035 Transportation Plan Roundtable Workshops'?  I received one recently to the email address I used to take an online 'Planning course' that was required of all members of local Planning and Zoning boards.  I'm not sure if they are by invitation only or open to anyone (I assume open to everyone).  It is by preregistration only here is the link
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6rr84ig9037655a&llr=zpx5yolab

There being held in 4 locations Frederick SHA District Office (Jan 10), MDOT HQ (Jan 22), Chestertown District office (Jan 25), Greenbelt District Office (Jan 29).  They are during the day (9am -11:30 am).  Since Frederick is the furthest west one I guess they aren't interested in input from really Western MD :-)

[froggie]

Regarding a US 15 upgrade, it should be noted that there is a lot of local opposition to widening US 15 in northern Loudoun County....enough to where residents were successful in getting it dropped from the county's transportation plan.

[cpzilliacus]

Has anyone here received an invitation to Maryland's '2035 Transportation Plan Roundtable Workshops'?  I received one recently to the email address I used to take an online 'Planning course' that was required of all members of local Planning and Zoning boards.  I'm not sure if they are by invitation only or open to anyone (I assume open to everyone).  It is by preregistration only here is the link
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6rr84ig9037655a&llr=zpx5yolab

There being held in 4 locations Frederick SHA District Office (Jan 10), MDOT HQ (Jan 22), Chestertown District office (Jan 25), Greenbelt District Office (Jan 29).  They are during the day (9am -11:30 am).  Since Frederick is the furthest west one I guess they aren't interested in input from really Western MD :-)

There's not much recurring highway traffic congestion in Maryland west of the crest of the Blue Ridge (South Mountain).

[bsmart]

Has anyone here received an invitation to Maryland's '2035 Transportation Plan Roundtable Workshops'?  I received one recently to the email address I used to take an online 'Planning course' that was required of all members of local Planning and Zoning boards.  I'm not sure if they are by invitation only or open to anyone (I assume open to everyone).  It is by preregistration only here is the link
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6rr84ig9037655a&llr=zpx5yolab

There being held in 4 locations Frederick SHA District Office (Jan 10), MDOT HQ (Jan 22), Chestertown District office (Jan 25), Greenbelt District Office (Jan 29).  They are during the day (9am -11:30 am).  Since Frederick is the furthest west one I guess they aren't interested in input from really Western MD :-)

There's not much recurring highway traffic congestion in Maryland west of the crest of the Blue Ridge (South Mountain).

But does that mean they shouldn't be included in the planning for the next 20 years?

[cpzilliacus]

Has anyone here received an invitation to Maryland's '2035 Transportation Plan Roundtable Workshops'?  I received one recently to the email address I used to take an online 'Planning course' that was required of all members of local Planning and Zoning boards.  I'm not sure if they are by invitation only or open to anyone (I assume open to everyone).  It is by preregistration only here is the link
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6rr84ig9037655a&llr=zpx5yolab

There being held in 4 locations Frederick SHA District Office (Jan 10), MDOT HQ (Jan 22), Chestertown District office (Jan 25), Greenbelt District Office (Jan 29).  They are during the day (9am -11:30 am).  Since Frederick is the furthest west one I guess they aren't interested in input from really Western MD :-)

There's not much recurring highway traffic congestion in Maryland west of the crest of the Blue Ridge (South Mountain).

But does that mean they shouldn't be included in the planning for the next 20 years?

No, it does not.

Maryland, to its great credit, does maintain the state highways in the three western counties of the state at least as well as it does those around the population centers along the two Beltways, plus Frederick, Carroll and Harford Counties.

It is not at all clear to me what this event is about. 

If it is about Maryland's continued obsession with transit (I heard the statement recently that the O'Malley Administration has a goal of doubling mass transit patronage between 2013 and 2020), then it is setting the citizens of the state up for more wishful thinking, more highway traffic congestion and more spending of state transportation trust fund spending on questionable rail transit (note that I have no problem with spending tax money to maintain the extant rail transit systems). 

The promise to double transit ridership it brings back bad memories of Parris Glendening's second term in office, when he made the exact same claim - for 2020, 18 years (!) after his second term in office ended.

[cpzilliacus]

MdTA press release: MAJOR TRAFFIC SWITCH THIS WEEKEND AT I-95/MD 43 INTERCHANGE

MAJOR TRAFFIC SWITCH THIS WEEKEND AT I-95/MD 43 INTERCHANGE
New temporary traffic pattern part of I-95 Express Toll LanesSM Project

WHAT: Weather-permitting, the ramp from northbound I-95 to westbound MD 43 (Exit 67B, White Marsh Boulevard) will be temporarily closed to switch MD 43 to a new traffic pattern.  Traffic will be detoured to eastbound MD 43 (Exit 67A, White Marsh Boulevard), to eastbound MD 7 (Philadelphia Road), to westbound MD 43.

[cpzilliacus]

WTOP Radio: I-270 gridlock cries out for solutions

Interstate 270 is considered one of the most choked roads in the Washington region, but solutions for the gridlock are few and far between.

Figures from the Maryland Department of Transportation show about 114,000 cars use I-270 daily, and that number is expected to jump to 200,000 in the next 10 to 15 years.

"Everyone who is familiar with 270 knows it is jammed up in the morning rush hour and evening rush hour," says Gus Bauman, who studies transportation and funding and who chaired a Maryland Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding.

[Alps]

WTOP Radio: I-270 gridlock cries out for solutions

Interstate 270 is considered one of the most choked roads in the Washington region, but solutions for the gridlock are few and far between.

Figures from the Maryland Department of Transportation show about 114,000 cars use I-270 daily, and that number is expected to jump to 200,000 in the next 10 to 15 years.

"Everyone who is familiar with 270 knows it is jammed up in the morning rush hour and evening rush hour," says Gus Bauman, who studies transportation and funding and who chaired a Maryland Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding.

Short of a dual/dual like the NJ Turnpike, I don't see an easy solution. Linking I-370 and VA 28 or Fairfax Co. Pkwy. would be of limited benefit because of how far west in the metro area they run.

[cpzilliacus]

WTOP Radio: I-270 gridlock cries out for solutions

Interstate 270 is considered one of the most choked roads in the Washington region, but solutions for the gridlock are few and far between.

Figures from the Maryland Department of Transportation show about 114,000 cars use I-270 daily, and that number is expected to jump to 200,000 in the next 10 to 15 years.

"Everyone who is familiar with 270 knows it is jammed up in the morning rush hour and evening rush hour," says Gus Bauman, who studies transportation and funding and who chaired a Maryland Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding.

Short of a dual/dual like the NJ Turnpike, I don't see an easy solution. Linking I-370 and VA 28 or Fairfax Co. Pkwy. would be of limited benefit because of how far west in the metro area they run.

I-270 has C-D lanes in a (fairly short) section, southbound from I-370 (Md. 200) to south of Montrose Road; and northbound from south of Montrose to Md. 124 (Quince Orchard Road).  They are not a dual-dual configuration like the N.J. Turnpike, but things would be much worse without them. 

The straight-line distance from the west end of I-370 to Va. 28 and Va. 7 is about 13 miles, according to Google Maps.  If the connection were from Va.28 to Md. 119 (Great Seneca Highway), the distance is between 11 and 12 miles.  Of course, those distances ignore the many streams and other Waters of the United States.

[bsmart]

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