Route 50/Bay Bridge Comprehensive Study
The BCC recommends that:
• A combined county-state sponsored planning/engineering study of Route 50 be accomplished ASAP to include the traffic corridor from Rte #97 east to the 50/301 split in Queen Anne’s County (p.140) and the Bay Bridge.
The study should include safety, traffic flow, access and egress (especially on the service roads on both sides of Route 50), corridor land uses (existing and projected), roadway alternatives, including public transport, structural concerns, emergency evacuation plans, the need for a supplemental or replacement bridge (especially the eastern span), alternative funding sources and an implementation plan. Average daily traffic (ADT) is expected to increase from nearly 70,000 vehicles per day to 90,000 vehicles per day by 2015, which is only a few years away in any planning horizon. This increase in traffic will complicate an already unacceptable and unsafe situation for our neighborhoods in Broadneck. Alternatives need to be addressed before there are any more deaths or major accidents in this corridor. The recommended plan review should include a Citizens Advisory Committee with representatives from communities adjacent to Route 50, especially those near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
All of this should be included in the “Actions” portion of Policy 1 (p.161)
Safety
The BCC recommends that:
• Documents and recommendations on safety be included as part of the GDP.
This Chapter should include a map that shows the location of major traffic accidents (fatalities, vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle) with some text and a table of recommended safety improvements over the life of the GDP.
Also, the eastbound structure of the Bay Bridge must be carefully studied to determine the longevity and safety factors of the bridge, as planning for a replacement or expansion must be scheduled ASAP.
Major Roadways/Bikeways
The BCC recommends that:
• The GDP require that County and State efforts be coordinated for upgrading and modifying all major roadways and bikeways on the Broadneck Peninsula. (p.157)
Broadneck’s major roads include Route 50, Route 2, (Ritchie Highway) and College Parkway. These provide our only regional access and should be included in a countywide Emergency Evacuation Plan. The County and State should coordinate their efforts to identify safety and congestion issues, especially relating to pedestrian and bicycle crossings. The BCC particularly recommends a pedestrian overpass at the intersection of Rte 2 and Arnold Road.
• The Bikeway element of the SAP should be completed. (p.150)
Public Transit
The BCC recommends that:
• The GDP more adequately address public transportation on the Broadneck Peninsula. (p.161)
Broadneck and comparable medium to low density areas require a range of public transport services in order to achieve the goal of one vehicle per household. This will require some regular conventional bus service, light rail in the more densely traveled corridors and a strong commitment to flexible transit service (demand responsive transit) in the lower density areas. Plans for conveniently located Transfer/Information Centers, Park and Ride lots and bus shelters should be included in the GDP.
