Bay Crossing Study Public Scoping Comments October 11, 2017 – December 15, 2017
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Bay Crossing Study Public Scoping Comments October 11, 2017 – December 15, 2017 DATE MEDIUM COMMENT (Personally Identifying Information Removed) I read that there is a proposed idea of a second bridge crossing to the eastern shore in southern Maryland. I'm curious if 10/12/2017 Email a ferry crossing would be a possibility seems like that would be any attraction as well as an alternative to the existing bay bridge. Just a suggestion Seriously? Another 3 years to study this again? Why not stop wasting our tax money on continuous "studies" of where 10/30/2017 Website to put a bridge! Put the money TOWARDS another crossing instead of yet another study! Only with wasting our tax money would things progress this slow. I think a new crossing should connect Calvert County to the Cambridge area.This would remove a lot of traffic from D. C. 10/30/2017 Website and Virginia on the existing bridges. I don' think a crossing of the northern bay would help much because the majority of th population lives south of it and it would make the trip longer. My two cents would be to build a new 3-lane bridge just south of the "old" bay bridge. The existing access roads/toll facilities are already in place. Then the "old" bridge can be used for one way travel at peak times or on holidays. Then possibly widen route 50 from Queenstown south to route 404. You could also look into a light rail system from 10/30/2017 Website Washington D.C. or Annapolis to Queenstown. Another possibility would be to build a new 4 or 6 lane bridge from Long Beach across the bay to Taylor's Island. Major infrastuctural improvements would have to be made on both sides of the bay to handle traffic, noise, etc. There may be extensive impact/damage to wildlife areas near Taylor's Island. This is an important study. I believe that the area that is in the approaches of a new bay crossing would see an economic boost that would help vitalize the area for future growth. This kind of project would greatly expand Maryland's economic muscle in an area that has plenty of room to profit from such a project. One such area that I 10/30/2017 Website would recommend would be Route 413 from 13 down to Crisfield then across to Smith Island and on to the Western shore. Both sides of the Bay would benefit from the project and I think the state as a whole would see tremendous business growth (Tax revenue) as a result. It would make the Eastern shore competitive with other areas of the state for business growth. 10/30/2017 Email Bay Crossing (New Bridge area for consideration) at Saint Leonardo MD to Taylor Island, MD. A bridge should be put up between Harford county and Kent county. Those further north should not have to drive 10/30/2017 Email south to glen burnie to get over to the eastern shore. As an Eastern Shore resident for the past 20 years, I have followed with interest the discussions about the need for increased capacity for vehicles crossing the Bay. I’m a visual person, and if I was also an artist, I would provide a visual attachment to highlight my position, but I’m going to have to settle for words in a message. 10/30/2017 Email I understand there are essentially three competing approaches that could achieve this increased capacity. For brevity, I will refer to them as Northern (New Crossing, Balto. Cnty to Kent Cnty): Central (Expand Capacity of existing AA Cnty to QA Cnty) and Southern (Calvert Cnty to Dorchester Cnty). The long range betterment of life in Maryland seems best Commenter names and personal information have been redacted and, in most cases, the redaction is noted. 1 Bay Crossing Study Public Scoping Comments October 11, 2017 – December 15, 2017 DATE MEDIUM COMMENT (Personally Identifying Information Removed) served by a Southern approach. • The major eastern shore destination that contributes to the current strain on capacity is Ocean City and the Delaware Beaches. • With the exception of traffic originating from Cecil County and north (PA and DE), most all western shore traffic will use the existing Rt. 50/Bay Bridge route to and from the MD/DE Beaches. That can only increase. • The Southern Approach provides an alternative route that will actually also shorten the trip for traffic originating anywhere from a line about 10 miles north of Rt 4 and the entire Washington Beltway. Not sure what % of the current Bay Bridge Beach Bound traffic originates from this MD/DC/VA region, but the key here is a shorter trip, reduced miles, reduced emissions, reduced fuel consumption etc. • On the Western Shore, the Rt. 4 corridor is ideal for upgrades to accommodate increased capacity. The Eastern Shore side (Taylor’s Island) is more challenging because of the natural state of the land and the importance of keeping Blackwater intact and undisturbed, but there are plenty of examples of highways through or around natural preserves that have extremely low impact. Actually Rt. 13 on the eastern shore side of the bridge tunnel provides a good example of such a highway. Alligator Alley in FL seems to be another example. • The opportunity for some economic development along the Rt. 4 corridor and in Dorchester County (away from the protected lands) seems a plus rather than any attempt to increase the traffic for the already taxed capacity along existing Rt. 50 & 404 in QA, Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester Counties. I look forward to the coming web presentation [Name removed] Easton, MD [Information removed] Thank you for the invitation to attend the November 15th presentation on an alternative Bay crossing. I am a resident in Owings. I am also a native Marylander. I regret I am unable to participate so I am sending a suggestion. 1. There is also a need for a new bridge from St. Mary's County into Calvert County at Solomons. Over the last few years, the traffic has significantly increased over that bridge. 10/30/2017 Email 2. My recommendation for a new Bay crossing from the Western Shore to the Eastern Shore is in the vicinity of Solomons: a. The distance between the Eastern and Western Shores in the Solomons vicinity appears to be minimal than elsewhere in the Bay. Less environmental impact and offers a southern entry to the Eastern Shore for more "southern residents/travelers." Commenter names and personal information have been redacted and, in most cases, the redaction is noted. 2 Bay Crossing Study Public Scoping Comments October 11, 2017 – December 15, 2017 DATE MEDIUM COMMENT (Personally Identifying Information Removed) b. The new bridge at Solomons could possibly be integrated into a new planned bridge from St. Mary's County to Solomons. This could also prove to be very beneficial. "Kill two birds with one stone" possibly? All the best with your planning! I highly suggest putting a crossing in Calvert county to keep southern Maryland from having to go so far north to just 10/30/2017 Email back track again south! Greetings. I believe another crossing from the Western Shore to the Eastern Shore is needed but I oppose an bridge when there 10/31/2017 Website are other bridges that need to be replaced. I support a ferry from St. Mary's or Calvert County to the Eastern Shore. I believe this is better for the commuter, local economies and the environment. Ferry service can be implim ented in just a few years while a bridge would take decades to finance and build. Plus a ferry would add a level of appeal that a bridge can't touch. Thank you. All for the new bridge design in Calvert County at the narrowest point between west and east shore. Two things to consider: 1. Consider designs that lessen stress for people who suffer from a fear of heights. The existing bay bridge are not well designed in this regard making it difficult for those with this anxiety. Obviously you will not find a design that 10/31/2017 Website will satisfy everyone, but, considering consulting with experts this area would be so foresighte and allow more people to less stressful access to the other side of the great state of MD. Suggestions include: additional space between cars and edge, secure sides to avoid the open spaces feeling like you are high up in the air. 2. In the future, link it up with a road that connects through St Mary's and a bridge to Virginia. Thanks for your time and consideration into this matter. Put the new span across from Lusby (rt 4) to Taylors Island and run the access just north of the refuge and connect to Rt 10/31/2017 Website 16 and on to Rt 50. 10/31/2017 Website I think an additional crossing is a good idea. I would like to know of the progress. We have long needed another bridge crossing for the Chesapeake Bay to relieve the pressure and overwhelming traffic 10/31/2017 Website which occurs every evening to cross the existing Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Even a ferry would help but another bridge crossing makes more sense, whether it is near Havre de Grace or ends up in Somerset County, MD. After years living on Kent island understand that no new bridge should be thought to go up there. infastucture can not handle it. Only logical place is a bridge or bridge tunnel to cross lower bay that would relieve pressure on volume at current bridge.