|
Post by Eric on Jun 2, 2005 8:10:57 GMT -4
What is the deal with the proposed truck stop on Kent Island? Is it still going to be located a where the Extra-Mart gas station is?
|
|
|
Post by Rich on Jun 2, 2005 22:59:40 GMT -4
The meeting will be June 7th at 3:00PM at 107 North Liberty Street in Centreville.
|
|
|
Post by ljp on Aug 15, 2005 17:14:29 GMT -4
That is the first I have heard about that, do you all know the results?
|
|
|
Post by bchevy on Dec 8, 2005 21:07:22 GMT -4
I think it's shot down,
What a sham of an excuse,
security, yeah-right, at a weigh station that's only open during the day.....
C'mon now!
|
|
|
Post by bchevy on Dec 24, 2005 7:39:07 GMT -4
IF the state or MDTA is "SO" worried about "security" (the bogus reason for this project) they would be checking and weighing all trucks coming eastbound right now, and they would probably be doing the same with a temporary setup westbound like they had for a while.
This is just another idea they have to spend (waste) more of the toll money collected at the bridge.
They already have a weigh station Westbound, it's AFTER the toll booths, and I haven't seen it open for a couple years. This was a great waste of toll money..... Other wastes:
The Giant Tow Trucks MDTA purchased while they have a contract to do the same job,
The Planting of flowers and trees only to be dug up at the change of seasons.
TELEPHONES on the bridge? (there's a good one)!
The continuous expansion of the EZPass program, the money wasted on this program is a joke, along with the lane changes after the toll booths giving a priority to EZPass users and BLOCKING up the other lanes. It doesn't work at the Bay Bridge, FACE IT, Change it, and MOVE ON.
Spend time on what's needed, a NEW bridge crossing, at a NEW location, SOUTH of the current Bay Bridge. The studies and surveys show that most of the summer traffic comes from the south..
|
|
|
Post by Steven on Dec 26, 2005 8:45:22 GMT -4
I agree about the need for a new bridge, but I think that the problem with placing one south of Annapolis is that there isn't a major road that goes in that direction. A bridge from Calvert County would be fed by single land roads and round about routes, which wouldn't work. Being that most of the traffic is coming from the DC area and NOVA, they would still take 50 because there also isn't any way from NOVA into southern MD because there isn't any bridges over the Potomac, etc. It's a mess. I like the idea of EZ Pass and it would work at the Bay Bridge if they dedicated more lanes to it and had it where you don't have to slow down. In its current state, it is just part of the problem just like the tolls.
|
|
|
Post by bchevy on Dec 26, 2005 10:39:15 GMT -4
The idea of ezpass is great on interstates, the problem is the Bay Bridge is different it gets a lot more peak traffic than any interstate plaza, and there's not always the same number of lanes after the plaza. There's way too many drivers who can't benefit with Ezpass as they don't cross here enough.
Dedicate MORE lanes? they are doing that now, and when you do that it takes away from the other traffic lanes and backs them up unfairly. It's robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Bring back the exact change/ticket lanes... Even the interstates still have exact change lanes. Get RID of the SLOW Attendants, this is a high pace job when there is traffic. I don';t need a toll taker fumbling around in the booth, rubber banding something, counting money, or doing anything else but taking my toll. Do this other stuff elsewhere, or when your booth is closed.
No roads in Southern MD to the bay? Have you been to Chesapeake beach? I think it's route 5? it's a 4 lane highway almost to the beach. The new crossing has to be south of here, we can't take another bridge here, we have 6 lanes of highway now, how many will we have with another bridge here? 8, 10? How many lanes make sense?
Build it south of here, they will go there to get away from the Annapolis traffic.
Here's an Idea: DO WHAT VIRGINIA DOES! When the project is paid off they DROP THE TOLLS, take down the plazas, and roll the funding into the state budget! They don't keep milking the public to support other toll facilities.
When you keep making money hand over fist like they do at the Bay Bridge you have to spend it. We all know they have to spend it on whatever they can. I read a while ago on how the Bay Brige tolls help support the tunnels in Baltimore, and the 301 bridge in Southern Md. (Why is this?) I'm sure the TOLLS are supporting the Ezpass system with advertising etc to keep it afloat, I even hear a traffic report on the radio sponsored by Ezpass. What a waste. It's certainly not going to make me change my mind by hearing a radio ad.
IF the tolls at another facility doesn't pay for that facility, then you should cut expenses at that facility, the tolls are high enough.
|
|
|
Post by uvrays on Dec 26, 2005 13:27:59 GMT -4
Every driver who uses EZPass benefits. More vehicles through in the same amount of time. It takes a lot longer for a driver to continue across if they have to stop and pay the toll. You still have to STOP to pay, even if you have exact change/ticket. As far as your comment "takes away from the other traffic lanes and backs them up unfairly" if you aren't using EZPass, you deserve to sit in traffic. The dedicated EZPass lanes should increase as the percentage of EZPass users increase.
|
|
|
Post by bchevy on Dec 26, 2005 14:26:08 GMT -4
if you aren't using EZPass, you deserve to sit in traffic. And there you have it. Now the Ezpass users are better than the other drivers? I'm guessing that you're a newbie over here? That's got to be the most ignorant comment that could be made on this. NO ONE "deserves" to sit in traffic. The rest of what you said is a no brainer. When they take the 2 or 3 toll gates to the left and dedicate them to Ezpass that's OK, when you come out of those gates and have a clean shot to the left hand lane of the eastbound bridge- Leaving the other 10 toll gates to fight over the right hand lane of the bridge,,, It's wrong, It's playing to the Ezpass and it's screwed up, only the goofballs at MDTA would think it's a good idea. And the Solid white line they have put down is a joke also, Especially when they have 3 lanes eastbound.
|
|
|
Post by Rich Fisher on Dec 27, 2005 13:53:26 GMT -4
I agree that the state is simply being greedy with the tolls. When it all boils down, the problem is the tolls. EZPass can help if done correctly (that single lane for 6 or 7 rows is an accident waiting to happen), but there is still the problem of bottlenecking from all of the toll lanes funneling into two or three lanes. I think that the only real solution is to both build another bridge at a different location and to eliminate the tolls. That money can be raised in many other ways, like many other states do.
|
|
|
Post by uvrays on Dec 27, 2005 16:57:01 GMT -4
No bchevy, I never said that EZPass users are better than other drivers. YOU said: " Ezpass users are better than the other drivers". However, I would say EZPass users are SMARTER. It's unfortunate that some people just won't accept or embrace technology. I'm guessing by your comments that you must not have or use EZPass.
You're guessing I'm a newbie, why is that? Because I use EZPass? I've been here for about 10 years, and have sat in many more backups than I care to remember. EZPass has made my CBB crossing much smoother.
I have been e-mailing and pestering MDTA about expanding EZPass since the beginning. Once again, if drivers can't figure out that EZPass is the way to go then they must be brain dead.
While I'm all for getting rid of the toll booths, it would be financial suicide. For FY 2004 the CBB had a profit of 25.5 million dollars! Where would that money come from? Our politicians wouldn't allow that cash cow to disappear.
The only logical thing to do would be to tear down all the toll plazas and have everyone pay electronically.
Lets get real about a new bridge. NO politician wants that in their constituents back yard. So it's going to end up being shoved down somebodies throat.
|
|
|
Post by bchevy on Dec 27, 2005 18:28:23 GMT -4
Only a newbie would say someone DESERVES to sit in that traffic. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I was paraphrasing, a smarter person would have caught that. Smarter/Better- same diff., Come down a step or two on the ladder you're on, you're really no better than anyone else on here.
I have EZPASS just so ya know.
Reasons I don't like it:
1) The lane issue mentioned above, You train the other lanes to come over into the left bridge lane when the 3rd lane east is open. when the 3rd lane east is closed- it's a wreck waing to happen.
2) I have 6 (yes SIX) vehicles tagged, insured and on the road, I'm limited to 4 vehicles per "plan" what a crock. So now if I put the Ezpass in the wrong vehicle and it doesn't work, I get a fine. BS!
3) Wasting money on advertising it, MDTA should NOT be in the advertising business. Remember the "free toll" program? Only another state agency was dumb enough to do it, and did it twice- The MD Lottery)
4) MDTA should not be in the BIG BROTHER business, and that's what they do with Ezpass. This thing track your butt every time you use it.
5) whatever happened, when Ezpass came in to effect, the Toll takers got Unbelievably SLOW (it took me a while to get Ezpass) I'm all for hiring the elderly & handicapped, but it doesn't work for tolls.
Anyone who works at MDTA isn't worried about anything but their paycheck on payday, and it shows.
Want it to work BETTER? 1) Charge me AS I GO, Each time I go through the gate, CHARGE ME. Stop the BS with a "bank" that expires.. (another money grubbing tactic) Eliminate the expiration issue.
2) Assign the Ezpass to my Driver's License instead of my license plate. This would eliminate the # of cars issue.
|
|
|
Post by bchevy on Dec 27, 2005 19:24:08 GMT -4
For FY 2004 the CBB had a profit of 25.5 million dollars! Where would that money come from? Our politicians wouldn't allow that cash cow to disappear. That PROFIT IS THE PROBLEM. Tolls are supposed to pay for that project, and if you want to squeeze it, Make it pay for the maintenance of the project. Take the toll gates down, roll the costs into the state budget, absorb the "Police" into other districts. And move on....
|
|
|
Post by uvrays on Dec 28, 2005 11:51:49 GMT -4
Instead of sticking to the issue, you start name-calling. Very original.
Last time I checked, smarter and better weren't the same. Get a grip. I don't agree with you and your views and you question my intelligence? How arrogant.
Perhaps YOU aren't smart enough to understand that drivers that do not utilize the EZPass system, deserve the consequeces of their inaction. The result: sitting in traffic.
I NEVER said I was better than anyone else. Re-read my post. Perhaps you should take a class in reading comprehension. I'm not on a ladder, soapbox or whatever you might think. I'm just stating MY opinion and MY opinion only.
Although YOU have problems with the way the system is run, that is YOUR problem. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. The EZPass sytem is way better than the cash/ticket system.
On to the "Reasons I don't like it" issues: #1- I don't have an informed opinion about this because I travel the left EZPass lanes. However, I see your point. #2- Sounds like you need to contact your State Senator (PIpken), Transportation Secretary Flanagan and MDTA and get on them about having this issue changed. #3-Definitely agree with you about this. #4-This doesn't really bother me. I'd like to hear an explanation from the MDTA why they need to do this. #5-Definitely agree with you about this.
On to the "Want it to work BETTER" issues: #1-Agree. However, the expiration issue only applies to commuter plans. #2-Undecided
Your second post: Lets face it. We ALL agree the toll booths should be taken down. We have paid for the bridge many times over. However, if they did "Take the toll gates down, roll the costs into the state budget, absorb the "Police" into other districts", would you be willing to stomach a tax increase?
|
|
|
Post by Steve on Jan 18, 2006 17:48:04 GMT -4
Am I the only one who knows that if you use the EZ pass and commute every day the toll goes from $2.50 to one buck. The catch is that you must use 45 trips in 60 days, which my wife and I always do. Second benefit of the EZ pass is traveling anywhere on the East Coast, where EZ pass is also used, becomes a breeze. The times they are a changing', and it's time to get on board folks.
|
|
|
Post by bchevy on Jan 20, 2006 8:23:15 GMT -4
Am I the only one who knows that if you use the EZ pass and commute every day the toll goes from $2.50 to one buck. The catch is that you must use 45 trips in 60 days, which my wife and I always do. Second benefit of the EZ pass is traveling anywhere on the East Coast, where EZ pass is also used, becomes a breeze. The times they are a changing', and it's time to get on board folks.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jan 20, 2006 12:42:23 GMT -4
William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge Commuter Plan: Pay $25 for 25 trips that are valid for 60 days
|
|