Maryland

[cpzilliacus]

I don't know whether the bill would allow higher speed limits on roads with at-grade intersections, and I suspect it wouldn't matter because they wouldn't post them anyway. But I think US-15 from north of Frederick up to the Pennsylvania state line could certainly be posted higher than it is (last Saturday I had my cruise control set at 65 on there just to prevent myself from going faster). It's been a few years since I've been on US-301 on the Eastern Shore and I don't know what the speed limit is there, but I seem to recall that being another road that should be posted at 65, at least once you get past Queenstown.

I agree - both U.S. 15 north of Frederick and U.S. 301 between the Delaware line and Queenstown should be posted 65 MPH.   

Regarding the JFK Highway, I agree there, at least once the construction is complete near White Marsh (I'm assuming it's still ongoing).

There is still a lot of work to be done there, so the limit should stay in place at 55 for now.  But once the ETLs are done, they should be posted 70 MPH, and most of the rest of the JFK Highway
(exceptions noted above) should be posted 70.

I-83 north of Timonium might be appropriate as well, although last Saturday I was going 70 on there and I found I was the fastest guy on the road until we got north of York. So maybe the current 65 is appropriate based on traffic flow.

I-83 is relatively old as far as Maryland Interstate highways go, and I think with all of those sweeping curves north of Timonium, it should stay 65.

My wife commented on how annoying it is coming south on I-270 that the speed limit drops from 65 to 55 right before the road widens out to three lanes. I can't foresee them posting 70 on that current 65-mph segment just because it's relatively short and because it's got a fair number of curves and hills that slow down the trucks.

I-270 is a mess, and it is mostly related to the Montgomery County Council and the excessive impact that limousine liberals have on that body - limousine liberals that do not obey the speed limit and never use transit.  Nearly all of 270 should be posted 65 MPH or maybe even 70.

[1995hoo]

....

I-270 is a mess, and it is mostly related to the Montgomery County Council and the excessive impact that limousine liberals have on that body - limousine liberals that do not obey the speed limit and never use transit.  Nearly all of 270 should be posted 65 MPH or maybe even 70.

I think it ought to have different speed limits in the "Express" and "Local" lanes, with the "Express" carriageways being higher (65 or 70 versus 55 or 60 in the local). The slip ramps back and forth between the carriageways don't seem to be an issue because almost nobody ever drives in the right lane on I-270 anyway!

North of that system's end, 70 mph seems appropriate to near the truck scales, at which point the current 65 mph seems adequate due to the hills and curves I mentioned earlier.

[TheOneKEA]

I suspect that the first roadway in Maryland that will be signed at 70 is I-68, and I believe this because I suspect the Maryland state government will be trying to tempt more long-distance passenger and truck traffic to stay in Maryland instead of going north to Breezewood.

Once this passes I would expect there to be a lot of lobbying from truckers' groups to post 70mph signage on I-68.

[cpzilliacus]

I suspect that the first roadway in Maryland that will be signed at 70 is I-68, and I believe this because I suspect the Maryland state government will be trying to tempt more long-distance passenger and truck traffic to stay in Maryland instead of going north to Breezewood.

Once this passes I would expect there to be a lot of lobbying from truckers' groups to post 70mph signage on I-68.

I-68 should not (and IMO cannot) have a posted limit that high eastbound on the long descent from the Eastern Continental Divide to Cumberland - even for cars and motorcycles, and especially not for commercial vehicles.

In Garrett County otherwise, 70 is appropriate - the grades and curves are relatively gentle. 

Between U.S. 220 North and I-70, I am not so enthused about a higher posted limit there either - quite a few long and relatively steep grades, as well as a fair number of relatively sharp curves.

[Bitmapped]

I suspect that the first roadway in Maryland that will be signed at 70 is I-68, and I believe this because I suspect the Maryland state government will be trying to tempt more long-distance passenger and truck traffic to stay in Maryland instead of going north to Breezewood.

Once this passes I would expect there to be a lot of lobbying from truckers' groups to post 70mph signage on I-68.

I-68 should not (and IMO cannot) have a posted limit that high eastbound on the long descent from the Eastern Continental Divide to Cumberland - even for cars and motorcycles, and especially not for commercial vehicles.

In Garrett County otherwise, 70 is appropriate - the grades and curves are relatively gentle. 

Between U.S. 220 North and I-70, I am not so enthused about a higher posted limit there either - quite a few long and relatively steep grades, as well as a fair number of relatively sharp curves.

Living in Morgantown, I drive I-68 into Cumberland and Hancock fairly regularly.  There are truck speed limits on I-68 eastbound between the Garrett County line and downtown Cumberland.  I don't expect those would change.  There's no reason the speed limit could not be 70 for cars in the existing 65 zone west of Lavale.  Most traffic generally drives 65-70 now.

While the part east of Cumberland is hilly and curvier than west, keeping the entire area at 65 would be overkill.  Post advisory speeds on curves as needed.

[algorerhythms]

If I were to venture a guess, I'd say:
WV line to either Exit 29 or Exit 34 (Finzel/Frostburg): 70
Exit 29/34 to Exit 46 (U.S. 220 North): Unchanged (65,55,50,40,55,65)
Exit 46 to I-70: 70

[TheOneKEA]

I suspect that the first roadway in Maryland that will be signed at 70 is I-68, and I believe this because I suspect the Maryland state government will be trying to tempt more long-distance passenger and truck traffic to stay in Maryland instead of going north to Breezewood.

Once this passes I would expect there to be a lot of lobbying from truckers' groups to post 70mph signage on I-68.

I-68 should not (and IMO cannot) have a posted limit that high eastbound on the long descent from the Eastern Continental Divide to Cumberland - even for cars and motorcycles, and especially not for commercial vehicles.

In Garrett County otherwise, 70 is appropriate - the grades and curves are relatively gentle. 

Between U.S. 220 North and I-70, I am not so enthused about a higher posted limit there either - quite a few long and relatively steep grades, as well as a fair number of relatively sharp curves.

Living in Morgantown, I drive I-68 into Cumberland and Hancock fairly regularly.  There are truck speed limits on I-68 eastbound between the Garrett County line and downtown Cumberland.  I don't expect those would change.  There's no reason the speed limit could not be 70 for cars in the existing 65 zone west of Lavale.  Most traffic generally drives 65-70 now.

While the part east of Cumberland is hilly and curvier than west, keeping the entire area at 70 would be overkill.  Post advisory speeds on curves as needed.

Agreed. Traffic already moves at 70 on mos of I-68, but unlike most other Maryland Interstates, most traffic actually stays at 70. I rarely see cars going faster than that on I-68.

As for the long descents, I think the real issue there is an increase risk of through traffic going too fast and trying to ride their brakes at the bottom when the limit drops. I would expect there to be a lot of the advance warning signs posted for a limit drop if the limit does rise to 70mph.

[cpzilliacus]

Any idea which agency is responsible for this bridge on Maryland Route 2 entering Baltimore from the south?

Baltimore Sun has an article about the condition of this very bridge: A bridge full of potholes adds to growing Hanover Street concerns

Residents complain the bridge – which carries two lanes of traffic each way across the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River between Cherry Hill and Riverside south of Federal Hill – has languished in disrepair, much like several other pieces of important transportation infrastructure in the neighborhood. The potholes, exposing rebar and a crumbling bridge deck, are symptomatic of a larger neglect along South Hanover Street, they say.

The street carries more than 30,000 vehicles a day on average, according to 2012 traffic data from the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.

[TheOneKEA]

I passed through Frederick recently on I-70 and I noticed that SHA has removed the 55mph zone through the city. I-70 is now posted at 65mph from Exit 5 to Exit 91.

[MASTERNC]

I passed through Frederick recently on I-70 and I noticed that SHA has removed the 55mph zone through the city. I-70 is now posted at 65mph from Exit 5 to Exit 91.

Surprised about that, especially westbound around the I-270 merge (which is a major choke point).

Actually, I-70 is 65 MPH from Exit 5 to the PA line now (it used to be 60 MPH but was raised around 2006 IIRC).

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun/Aegis: State backs off on plan to end cash toll at Hatem Bridge, Harford legislator says

The Maryland Transportation Authority has agreed that the cash toll collection lanes will remain at the Route 40 Thomas Hatem Bridge for at least two years, State. Sen. Nancy Jacobs said Friday.

"I appreciate the MdTA listening to my concerns and their cooperation and understanding of the needs of the citizens and businesses in Harford and Cecil County," Jacobs said in a news release.

Jacobs' announcement came after the Maryland House of Delegates on Thursday passed a bill that would require the MdTA to further study its plan to institute all-electric tolling at the Hatem Bridge and the majority of its other toll facilities, with an eye toward finding an alternative to penalizing drivers who don't use E-ZPass.

[algorerhythms]

That speed limit increase to 70 MPH? Not happening.

[1995hoo]

That speed limit increase to 70 MPH? Not happening.

The article says the committee chairman is refusing to allow it to advance. That's one of the things that's wrong with American legislatures. No single member should be able to kill a bill that passed the other house unanimously.

[cpzilliacus]

That speed limit increase to 70 MPH? Not happening.

The article says the committee chairman is refusing to allow it to advance. That's one of the things that's wrong with American legislatures. No single member should be able to kill a bill that passed the other house unanimously.

The bill in question is HB0555/SB0157, Vehicle Laws — Maximum Speed Limits on Highways, which proposes to increase the maximum limit to 70 MPH in Maryland. 

As said in the article, it passed the House of Delegates 133 to 0.  The senator and chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee who does not want to release the bill to the Senate is Brian Frosh of District 16 (Potomac, Bethesda and other well-off parts of Montgomery County - legislative district map here).

[Pete from Boston]

That speed limit increase to 70 MPH? Not happening.

The article says the committee chairman is refusing to allow it to advance. That's one of the things that's wrong with American legislatures. No single member should be able to kill a bill that passed the other house unanimously.

Show me a case of politicians supporting laws that restrict their powers and I'll show you a 27th amendment that took 203 years to certify.

[algorerhythms]

Here's a more complete version of the article.

[Laura]

That speed limit increase to 70 MPH? Not happening.

The article says the committee chairman is refusing to allow it to advance. That's one of the things that's wrong with American legislatures. No single member should be able to kill a bill that passed the other house unanimously.

The bill in question is HB0555/SB0157, Vehicle Laws — Maximum Speed Limits on Highways, which proposes to increase the maximum limit to 70 MPH in Maryland. 

As said in the article, it passed the House of Delegates 133 to 0.  The senator and chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee who does not want to release the bill to the Senate is Brian Frosh of District 16 (Potomac, Bethesda and other well-off parts of Montgomery County - legislative district map here).

[cpzilliacus]

Baltimore Sun: Route 24 expected to be closed through Rocks State Park this summer

[Laura]

Thanks for posting this. I remember the original plans SHA proposed back in 2009. The major concern was that moving the road twenty feet west could impact the King and Queen Seat rock formation.

Ha, the public meeting is at my alma mater. Conveniently I have no other plans on Wednesday night this week...


iPhone

[cpzilliacus]

Thanks for posting this. I remember the original plans SHA proposed back in 2009. The major concern was that moving the road twenty feet west could impact the King and Queen Seat rock formation.

Ha, the public meeting is at my alma mater. Conveniently I have no other plans on Wednesday night this week...

Md. 24 is a secret gem on the state's highway network. 

Not very well known, but I love the scenery through Rocks State Park.

If you find out anything of interest, I would be interested in seeing it here.

[Alps]

Thanks for posting this. I remember the original plans SHA proposed back in 2009. The major concern was that moving the road twenty feet west could impact the King and Queen Seat rock formation.

Ha, the public meeting is at my alma mater. Conveniently I have no other plans on Wednesday night this week...

Md. 24 is a secret gem on the state's highway network. 

Not very well known, but I love the scenery through Rocks State Park.

If you find out anything of interest, I would be interested in seeing it here.

www.alpsroads.net/roads/md/md_24 - gets better as it heads north

[Laura]

Thanks for posting this. I remember the original plans SHA proposed back in 2009. The major concern was that moving the road twenty feet west could impact the King and Queen Seat rock formation.

Ha, the public meeting is at my alma mater. Conveniently I have no other plans on Wednesday night this week...

Md. 24 is a secret gem on the state's highway network. 

Not very well known, but I love the scenery through Rocks State Park.

If you find out anything of interest, I would be interested in seeing it here.

www.alpsroads.net/roads/md/md_24 - gets better as it heads north

I will definitely give you guys an update after the meeting on Wednesday. I have always loved how MD 24 meanders through Rocks State Park.

[hbelkins]

If I'm not mistaken, MD 24 is the route I drove back to my motel after I attended a wedding reception at a country club in that area last August.

[BrianP]

I saw this work was underway on my Easter trip.

Two-year construction project on I-95 in Baltimore
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-03-14/news/bs-md-95-project-20140314_1_mdta-lane-closures-construction-project

The $66 million project to remove and replace the existing concrete deck and roadway joints of 4.4 miles of the elevated highway between Caton Avenue and the Fort McHenry Tunnel south of downtown is expected to last through the middle of 2016, the Maryland Transportation Authority said Friday.

While bridges along I-95 north of the tunnel were resurfaced in 2001 and 2004, this will be the first resurfacing along I-95 south of the tunnel since the tunnel opened in 1985, the MdTA said.

[TheOneKEA]

I saw this work was underway on my Easter trip.

Two-year construction project on I-95 in Baltimore
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-03-14/news/bs-md-95-project-20140314_1_mdta-lane-closures-construction-project

The $66 million project to remove and replace the existing concrete deck and roadway joints of 4.4 miles of the elevated highway between Caton Avenue and the Fort McHenry Tunnel south of downtown is expected to last through the middle of 2016, the Maryland Transportation Authority said Friday.

While bridges along I-95 north of the tunnel were resurfaced in 2001 and 2004, this will be the first resurfacing along I-95 south of the tunnel since the tunnel opened in 1985, the MdTA said.

It will be interesting to see if any more of the unused bridge decks and stub ramps for the I-70 interchange are removed during these works.