Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
3rd Bay Bridge Span, Traffic & Mass Transit Solutions
Are there better solutions in your opinion to the traffic woes of the region and the concept of a third Bay Bridge span?
What should Maryland’s transportation infrastructure of the future include?
Here’s what you said:
It should be put somewhere else other than the site of the 2 current bay bridges.
Peter Young, Stevensville
Way too late…disaster to wait longer.
Faith Goldstein, Annapolis
It's only going to get worse unless something is done. A third Span will help, but expansion beyond the Bridge will be required to avoid a TOTAL jam on the Eastern shore down 50 and 404.
That and 50 from 495 to the Bridge.
Michael DuVall, Arnold
I think they should build another bridge from lower Calvert County to the eastern shore instead.
Melanie Cole, Waldorf
As much as people don't want to hear it Route 50 is filled up and a third bridge at that location will just require rebuilding all that infrastructure. It should be moved north or south. And why not encourage a private entrepreneur to start up a fairy crossing just like they do with Lewes Delaware. It's always fun. It might not make a huge dent in the traffic but it sure could be a money maker for the state and a diversion for people going across.
Michael Darrow, Davidsonville
Would prefer to see a crossing in Southern Maryland. However, the roads are not currently able to handle the additional traffic.
Sue Anderson, Shady Side
Adding one additional span is not the answer. There needs to be 2 additional crossing, one North and one South, for a total of 3. The amount of people who travel to the shore from Virginia and Pennsylvania is increasing year over year. To say that's not an option is unacceptable. It's going to get worse and soon we will look like California and their gridlock. Build the infrastructure now to handle what the future will hand us and not the other way around.
Nicolas Hunter
It seems that the Annapolis infrastructure and highways can best be suited to adding a second deck, or some sort of format to best handle the traffic, handle issues as they arise and will work best with existing people in place and easy to add the added service people at this location.
In conjunction with Annapolis, the East side of the bay can more easily be adapted to handle and improve how to best allow businesses the flow there better than disrupting Pasadena or a more southern route.
Thank you for reading my thoughts and opinion
John Edwards, Annapolis
As a resident in Cape St Claire and having to deal with the beach traffic congestion how will a third bridge span not increase the traffic we endure now?
Serena Boyd, Annapolis
It should be north or south of the existing bridges. The feeder roads cannot take more traffic. Another location would be more convenient to users in the chosen location, i.e. closer to Baltimore if a northern route is chosen.
Milly Welsh, Davidsonville
The third span cannot be on Kent Island. There is simply not enough room for more traffic on the Island. The side roads cannot hold the amount of traffic that decides to jump off of Rt. 50. People who live in Queen Anne's county are held hostage on weekends because they cannot get out and drive on the roads in their county. If you do want to drive you have to plan for it to take 2 hours to get home. Why should the people on Kent Island be held hostage with another span of the bridge. Spread the wealth of traffic to the North or South of Kent Island.
Stephanie Tabor, Stevensville
Good idea.
Lori Ross, Annapolis
If you're going to build a second bridge then do it north in the Glen Bernie area. Putting another bridge next to the current one that exists will be a disaster. Sandy Point State Park will become a dump overridden beyond its capacity. Adding more cars will bring more people, more development will take place and put undue damage to the watershed in this area. Sounds like the thought process is more along the idea of "the area already has been developed adding some more will keep the other area options in less damage than the area we have already "destroyed". My two cents worth, the environment, Bay, and wildlife takes a back seat to "progress" and the need to accommodate "vacationers" to OC. What a price to pay for never ending conveniences.
Ron Helinski, Arnold
As a resident that is ALWAYS impacted by the traffic of the 2 bridges already here. People don't understand that we would like to get HOME! The drivers coming through want to pass all the traffic on 50 this makes it harder for the residents who just want to get home from a long day at work. Sitting in 4 hours of traffic on a parallel road that is for the RESIDENTS! That should take 15 minutes from end to end is ridiculous! They can't even control these 2 bridges what makes a 3rd any better? It should be moved away for this area because they won't fix the infrastructure in the surrounding area! The Severn River Bridge is stressed enough and you can't widen that! You have to shut it down when there is an accident, long 2,4,5 hour backups. You put a 3rd bridge you have the same problem as you started! All the bridges merging into a smaller amount of lanes. Just because these are here does not make it ok to add another. With so many wrecks on the bridges, these are from road rage and stress to getting across before there is a wreck. NONE of these decision makers even travel these roads at the peak times (even through the peak summer) they want to improve! They don't have to sit for 4 hours just to get HOME on a Friday, when it should take 15 minutes. They don't stress about getting shopping done on a Saturday, because they don't know how long they will be sitting in traffic to get the frozen food or ICE CREAM to the freezer. Or getting the kids to their games on time. The thought of the residential who live in the closest proximity of these 2 Bridges: Go put your DAMN Bridge someplace else, and stop stressing the already stressed infrastructure and residents!! Move it more south!
Michele Cipriano, Annapolis
WE DON'T WANT IT NEAR KENT ISLAND. Our side roads, exits, and highway is unbearable during the Summer months, and rush hour. People living on Kent Island can NOT go out on the weekends because of the backups on our side roads. We are PRISONERS IN OUR HOMES SIX MONTHS OF EVERY YEAR....
Put the new bridge from VIRGINIA TO SOUTHERN MARYLAND SIDE, DELAWARE, OR ANYWHERE EXCEPT Kent Island. We know Biden will never allow it to his Delaware area. Guess I'm wasting my time writing this!!
Luana Camara, Grasonville
Adding a third span to the current Bay Bridge is the most logical conclusion. However, the state and the county must work NOW on improving the infrastructure. This includes a moratorium on development along Route 50. This also includes improving Route 97 AND Route 2. In addition, College Parkway should not be the "back way " to the bridge. The Broadneck Peninsula residents need to be able to get to work and to theirs home within a reasonable amount of time on any given day.
Elizabeth Rosborg, Arnold
I was really hoping they would find a new location for a third bridge. I have seen several ideas proposed. One closer to the south would be a great spot to jump straight over to the St. Michael's area and could reroute some DC travelers. Would be great to have another place to cross regardless of where since traffic is already such a problem. Ps. Mountain Road in Pasadena was a terrible proposed spot.
Elisa Lupton, Glen Burnie
I'm down in Southern MD. Would love to see something closer to me. I know they have discussed it but I don't agree with the conclusion to continue to bottleneck everyone thru the present arrangement. Love the Eastern Shore but the drive is painful from where am so I guess I won't go. I'll just be happy not to be sitting in the traffic and paying tolls for a failed solution.....
Regina Tourville, Leonardtown
I simply can't believe spending Millions of Dollars on Experts and Wasting Decades of Time to simply recommend building a bridge adjacent to the existing. Route 50 can barely handle the traffic now. This is negatively affecting quality of life of residents and many restaurants and small business owners. Who wants to travel to eat on Kent Island, Stevensville or Grasonville on a Friday or Sunday or Holiday Weekend?
Route 50 cannot be expanded it really needs to go near Rockhall. They don't have volume and for many would welcome tourists. If handled responsibly Kent County would flourish for the better.
I live in Talbot County about 17 miles from the Bay Bridge and on a Sunday from May- Sept
Backup can be 10-15 miles and that's without an accident! Add that factor in and people can be waiting hours.
And doing NOTHING for Decades should Not Be The Option!
Thank you
Celie Baussan, Easton
Every indication is that traffic volume will continue to grow. For politicians, who control the decision, the easiest answer is to put a third span next to the existing bridges. This is not the best answer, but it is the path of least resistance. A solution north or south provides better relief for an already saturated corridor, but presents more resistance from many sources. Politicians are more likely to choose the easy way out, rather than pursue a difficult path, which may cost them more votes in their next election.
Bill Helms, Queenstown
I think they should build one new grand bridge at the current location of the two bay bridges, and then tear down the two old bridges. Perhaps 8-10 lanes, with a separate lane for pedestrians and bicycles.
A bridge that would be a true focal point for Annapolis, the bay and Maryland.
Check out the Millau Viaduct in France, the Vasco da Gama bridge in Portugal, the Zakim bridge in Boston, the Seri Wawasan bridge in Malaysia, the Sheikh Zayed bridge in Abu Dhabi, the Juscelino Kubitschek bridge in Brazil, the Yachi River bridge in China, the Sutong Yangtze River bridge in China, and many others that are a lot more beautiful than the current bridges.
Matt Schaff, Annapolis
Here is my opinion.
1. We need to consider a Rail Bridge so people who work in Annapolis and DC use the train to reduce backups on the bridge from April to November with beach traffic.
2. Look to Scotland when it comes to building bridges and quit trying to recreate the wheel.
3. Consider the economic devastation you will bring to Rock Hall or St. Michaels when designing and choosing a bridge.
4. Why do we need an auto bridge? We are trying to reduce auto emissions. Go train!!!!
Tricia King, St. Michaels
Without a MAJOR infrastructure overhaul of route 50 on both the eastern and western shores, placing another span next to the existing ones is absolutely ridiculous.
Robin Cottmeyer, Annapolis
At one time in the early 2000s, EPA put out a statement and map that Kent Island would be under water in about 50 years if sea level rise continued at the same rate as then. The EPA map and statement "vanished" pretty quickly for obvious reasons. So, I would not recommend a third bridge and astronomical expense in the same location as the other two.
Susan Engel, Edgewater
Do NOT put a third bay bridge span in Annapolis. Hwy 50 in Annapolis and on the Kent Island area is far too congested. If you build it, they will come. But our roads do not have the capacity to accommodate more and more traffic.
Look to the North or the South for a new span. We can't manage any more traffic congestion.
Elizabeth Whitaker, Annapolis
I do not think we should build a third bridge span. I believe we should consider public transit options that would reduce traffic and emissions. I think the idea of a local train system to the beaches could help with both issues of traffic and emissions!! If organized and advertised well, this could be a fun way to travel to beach locations.
Kimberly Agee, Centreville
Heck no on a 3rd bay bridge,,,we have enough impact on the bay habitat wild life eco systems and who needs more traffic were they live. No.
Jacqueline Malonson, Chesapeake Beach
While the idea of mass transportation is always good, in this case, spanning the Bay is so much than shore to shore. A mass transit solution would require a huge investment in infrastructure on both shores. Certainly, easier solution is a third span, but there is also higher risk from a potential terrorist attack on any one of the three spans, which could shut down all three spans. Placing a third span somewhere further north or south of the existing spans could provide a safety net for crossing the Bay, which is essential to the lives of thousands of residents on both sides. Further, regardless of the solution chosen, it would be prudent to construct a rail crossing at the same time, sharing the support pillars, and laying the groundwork for a mass transportation solution at some point in the future. When the second span was built, not enough thought went into the future needs, resulting in a duel span that has not served adequately for even half of my lifetime. The other important point is that whatever decision is made, it needs to be environmentally sound as well as planned for the future. I doubt that we will see any result on any third span in the next fifteen years, which is sad, considering that we put a person on the moon in four years; a much more complex effort.
Robert Irwin, Churchton
I believe that a third span is an absolute necessity, and to be built alongside the two present spans. Without the third span, traffic congestion on both sides of the bridge will be worse than ever at rush hour times, in the next 5-10 years. Without the additional capacity of a third, three-lane span, backups will be 10-15 miles instead of the current 5-7 miles. In addition, a third span will act as a reliever in case of accident shutdown of one span, or ongoing construction of one of the three.
Al DiCenso, Easton
Yes if it is possible. It would reduce traffic on 50 east and westbound. The population of the Anne Arundel area has grown tremendously since it’s construction, not to mention out of towner's flowing to the beach.
Karen McIlwain, Annapolis
It appears to be a good idea to have a third span of the now congested Bay Bridge. Conditions are generally fine for travel from the Annapolis area to the Eastern Shore from late October to late April, especially after the elimination of toll booths. Even then, however, there is frequently so much construction at night that drivers sometimes have to drive on the same span as those going in the opposite direction. I would recommend having a third span either right near the existing bridge or another feasible location.
Carol Moyer, Riva
Needed asap.
Jean Radeackar, Annapolis
After the first bridge was built it was much easier to get to the Eastern Shore so more people did it. And after a short while the bridge couldn't handle the volume of people using it, so they built another one. And after a short while the new bridge along with the old bridge couldn't handle the volume of people using it and now they want to build a third one. I'm here to tell you if they build it, it won't take long until we have the same problem we have now, too many people coming to the Eastern Shore with the facilities available. It is NOT a solution, it just grows the problem.
I suspect if the toll was reinstated, and if the cost was $0 from 11pm to 6am and $5 on non rush hours, and $20 at rush hour, (rush hour being defined by the amount of traffic going over it daily) the volume of traffic would shift to non prime time. Problem solved.
Iris Robertson, Royal Oak
Wrong headed, most travelers in summer are headed to the beaches, those for OC, there should be in southern MD, near Solomons off of Rt 2, a Ferry System. Most European countries have for years used Ferries to move cars, trains, buses, and people much more efficiently than a bridge, and at lower cost, and now many modern Ferries can be battery powered with Solar chargers on the top. this would greatly reduce the strain on RT 50 coming and going. Think of all our neighbors in VA, DC, and points south and west.
Norman Hines, Kensington
I do not think a third Bay Bridge span should be built. Instead it should be a four lane tunnel to complement the existing Bay Bridge for improved performance during peak traffic and inclement weather.
Doyle Delph, Millersville
Absolutely need a 3rd bridge.
Susan Gibson, Glen Burnie
The new Bay Bridge should be near the current bridges. Period!
Mike Ford, Edgewater
Although an additional span at the current location would help traffic ON the bridge, it does not help traffic before and after the bridge. The Severn River bridge has already been increased in size. It's hard to imagine adding additional lanes on Route 50 - either on the western or eastern sides. This route also does not address the bottleneck that is Easton with its multiple traffic lights. This plan simply forces more vehicles down an already narrow funnel. It does not help to alleviate the amount of traffic currently using this route.
Georgiana Maszczenski, Stevensville
A third Bay Bridge would be an additional investment in traffic and pollution. How about some mass transit, say from Annapolis to St. Michaels with stops along the way and bike, car rentals. Or one branch to St. Michaels then on to Ocean City and another to Chestertown and on to Chesapeake City? The Bay is a wonderful resource and we need to think carefully how to take care of it for the long run. More traffic shouldn't automatically mean we need more roads and bridges.
Charles Zapf, Atlanta
It's insane to consider a parallel span on the existing bridge footprint. The problem isn't the bridge per se but the bottlenecks on Rt 50 without significant expansion of those too. That would be the full length of 50 for miles before and after the bridge. You are inviting more travelers to the shore areas without expansion of the existing roads. It's nuts.
Steven Quigley, Centreville
