Well, the MD24 / MD 924 temporary intersection went live last Friday. All was fine over the weekend, then Monday AM hit. The traffic lights all the way around the intersection went to a quick cycle with the green light time lasting about 4-5 seconds. Chaos of course ensued. No police support was seen while I was in the area.
The Monday AM problem was resolved by the end of the work day, and all was well again for the evening rush hour. (The problem was attributed to a faulty board).
All was well Tuesday, then we can upon Wednesday AM, where once again, a short green light problem occurred - at least for those entering MD 24 from MD 924. Traffic was again backed up severely. This time the entire traffic control box was replaced, and so far, the problem has not recurred to my knowledge.
Let's hope this is the end of that particular issue!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
13 April 2009 - CIM
A few (unofficial) notes from the Community Interest Meeting at the Ramada Inn this evening. The focus was the Wegmans development. See:
See: Harford County CIM Calendar
- The area to be developed is approximately a 20 acre parcel. Will include a Wegmans supermarket, 2 restaurant pads, and a bank along 924.
- The development is tentatively to be called the Boulevard.
- For development efforts that will result in 250 estimated vehicle trip, a CIM is required - hence the meeting.
- Plans are not etched in stone yet - the CIM is one of the 1st steps.
- The Wegmans would be approximately 150000 sq ft, with 720 parking spots + an overflow lot.
- Access to Wegmans would be from 924 through a road (Manner Rd) between Woodsdale and Box Hill South.
- An additional lane is being added to 924 as part of 24/924 work.
- Truck access for deliveries to the store would most likely be through Manner Rd, with the return to 924 up Woodsdale Rd.
- Store hours for Wegmans: stores are generally approved for 24/7, but in actual operations, they generally close at midnight.
- Examples of restaurants that might fit with the pads envisioned - sit down style establishments such as Longhorn Steakhouse (just an example - no commitments are in place).
- Timeframe for starting - as quickly as possible, but expect 6 to 12 months for approvals, then a late fall/early spring 2010 start for development.
- Future development below the Wegmans/restaurant area is likely to include mixed retail/stores.
- The non-Wegmans area is likely to sit idle for another 2 years.
- Lots of traffic concerns were expressed, along with concerns over water runoff and impacts on the surrounding community and streams. Erosion has proven to be an ongoing problem in the area.
- Anticipate the next meeting to occur around 20 May 2009.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
FiOS in Harford County
Looks like we will finally have another option for high speed internet service and television. The Harford County Council gave approval to Verizon's proposal to bring FiOS into the county: (Baltimore Sun link). I hope the FiOS rollout is a little more widespread than the limited DSL availability.
Monday, February 16, 2009
More traffic?
Well, there were multiple articles published today supporting the story that Wegman's is planning a new location right here in Abingdon. See: http://is.gd/jLJP and http://is.gd/jLKo.
While bringing in a highly regarded supermarket like Wegman's or Whole Foods will provide shopping options, and jobs, the location of another large supermarket adjacent to the continuing construction at the 24/924/I-95 intersection is sure to add to the already congested traffic situation. I think the location described is right across from the Wawa on Woodsdale Road. If this location does pan out, there will surely be a need for traffic control - probably traffic lights - at the Box Hill Corporate Dr and Woodsdale intersection. Sidewalks all the way down Woodsdale would also make sense.
The proposed location is probably shown here:
Time will tell....
While bringing in a highly regarded supermarket like Wegman's or Whole Foods will provide shopping options, and jobs, the location of another large supermarket adjacent to the continuing construction at the 24/924/I-95 intersection is sure to add to the already congested traffic situation. I think the location described is right across from the Wawa on Woodsdale Road. If this location does pan out, there will surely be a need for traffic control - probably traffic lights - at the Box Hill Corporate Dr and Woodsdale intersection. Sidewalks all the way down Woodsdale would also make sense.
The proposed location is probably shown here:
Time will tell....
Monday, January 19, 2009
Maryland Transportation Authority “Cost Recovery” Proposal
The Maryland Transportation Authority, the State agency that operates Maryland’s toll facilities, proposed on January 5, 2009, increasing cost recovery… (see: http://www.mdtransportationauthority.com/mdta/Home/costrecovery.jsp)
If you have not yet reviewed and submitted comments on this proposal, note that the deadline for comments – 27 January 2009 – is fast approaching. There are significant changes being proposed – you should review the proposal and act now to make your concerns known. One item that I find particularly irritating is the monthly charge of $1.50 per month per account. Considering the fact that users must maintain a pre-paid $25 balance on EZ-Pass devices – funds available to the state and funds upon which the users do not receive interest – the additional $1.50/month charge is ridiculous. Others have pointed out that EZ-Pass usage reduces congestion at toll plazas, reduces pollution from idling vehicles at the toll plazas, and reduces manpower requirements (staffed tollbooths) at tool plazas. Penalizing those who have invested in the MTA EZ-Pass program, benefiting both the end-user and the state, seems counter-productive to overall the positive aspects of the program.
See: http://www.mdtransportationauthority.com/mdta/Home/publicnotice.pdf
New release: http://www.mdtransportationauthority.com/mdta/Home/costrecoverynews.pdf
“Customer Benefits”: http://www.mdtransportationauthority.com/mdta/Home/customerbenefits.pdf
Pedestrians/Bicycle Traffic
As part of the I-95 / MD 24 construction work, you may have noticed the “No Pedestrian” signs posted on the roads leading the MD 24/924 intersection. While this ban is meant to address safety, as those of us traveling through the intersection on a regular basis know, pedestrian traffic has not stopped, even with the sub-freezing weather over recent weeks. There are quite a few folks who live on one side of MD 24, but shop or work on the other side – a sign banning non-motorized traffic will not deter someone from going to work, especially in the current economic environment. There is also foot traffic between the hotels east of I-95 and the shopping areas west of I-95, generating hazards as pedestrians cross the MD 24 bridge over I-95. To address both problem areas, some means of permitting safe pedestrian crossings – via dedicated pedestrian lanes or perhaps even regular shuttle services – need to be put in place. Given the duration of the work involved, putting a solution in place sooner rather than later is needed.
If you have suggestions or comments, please post, and/or give feedback via the contacts listed in the previous post.
I-95/MD 24 Work Continues
Work on installing concrete barriers and sediment control measures continues in the I=95/MD 24/924 area. Next up, water lines are supposed to be relocated. Updates can be obtained through the toll-free hotline number (1-877-368-1141) or via email to mdta@mdtransportationauthority.com.
Caution is advised as lane shifts and and lane closures will occur periodically in the area.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Intersections?
I95 and Rt 24
Rt 24 and MD 924
Motorized vehicles and bicycles/pedestrians
Growth and Restrictions
Fort Monmouth and Aberdeen Proving Ground
Controlled growth and BRAC
The intersection of the issues above are all part of the challenges faced by Harford County. Similar issues can be found across the state of Maryland, and across the country. If you have news concerning these items, or ideas for addressing them, pass your observations and wisdom along.
Rt 24 and MD 924
Motorized vehicles and bicycles/pedestrians
Growth and Restrictions
Fort Monmouth and Aberdeen Proving Ground
Controlled growth and BRAC
The intersection of the issues above are all part of the challenges faced by Harford County. Similar issues can be found across the state of Maryland, and across the country. If you have news concerning these items, or ideas for addressing them, pass your observations and wisdom along.
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