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.

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.