Welcome to a new, weekly column in which a topic of interest, piece of news, relevant opinion, or general request for feedback is presented. We’ll offer the topic du jour and accompanying question, and you have the opportunity to respond with your thoughts.
Simply fill out the form below. A collection of each week’s responses will appear in the following week’s column. To read last week’s responses, scroll below this week’s topic.
Publisher reserves the right to edit responses for clarity and publish online and/or in our print publications.
Please let us know your thoughts!
This week’s topic is:
3rd Bay Bridge Span, Traffic & Mass Transit Solutions
Last week we asked you about threats to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and your answers (see below and click link) were telling about what’s on your mind. One reader commented that transportation inefficiencies and—if we’re reading between the lines—our reliance on fossil-fueled transportation, are major threats to the environment and our quality of life.
This topic coupled with the recently completed Maryland Transportation Authority report that recommends a third Bay Bridge span be built at the current bridge location (costing an estimated $5.4–8.9 billion), has us asking…
Our questions to you:
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?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form.
Last week, we asked you about Threats to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and you responded! Here is a sampling of reader responses. To read more, click here.
Our largest concern in this demographic is the concept of moving from Point A to Point B. While we entertain the concept of an alternate Bay Bridge, the true essence of this solution is so well spelled out with previous communities world-wide—we need mass transit.
Earl Chambers, Annapolis
We need to seriously curtail the amount of pollution that runs from NY and PA into the Chesapeake. Much of this is agricultural runoff (chemicals, fertilizer, etc.) that can be lessened with buffer strips to contain runoff and control irrigation. Funds also need to be directed to restoring the Conowingo Dam which can no longer handle the volume of sediment and trees that are trapped within its reserves and will soon be full. As a PA resident that pays high taxes (and a MD part-time summer resident that enjoys what the Chesapeake has to offer), I feel it is PA's responsibility to take this problem seriously and help finance the solution. Too much of what is running downstream is hurting the wildlife in the Bay.
Cathy Schmid, Brookville
The biggest threat is nutrient run off from yards being fertilized and farms being fertilized. Run off from these lands is the biggest problem facing the restoration of the Bay.
Julie Grudzinskas, Annapolis
