Bay Bridge Crossing Options: Public Hearings Run Through Oct. 9

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Open houses continue this week to gather input from Marylanders on three possible locations suitable for a second Chesapeake Bay crossing to be built, along with the idea supported by Gov. Larry Hogan to add a third span to the existing Bay Bridge. The sites have kicked off more debate over how to alleviate traffic backlogs when traveling from Maryland and the Washington, D.C., metro to the Eastern Shore.

The corridor where the existing Bay Bridge sits — between Annapolis and Queenstown — would relieve the most traffic congestion year-round, the Maryland Transportation Authority said. That route would best reduce backups at the existing Bay Bridge, provide the greatest reduction in the duration of unacceptable congestion levels, and is more compatible with existing land-use patterns, according to the study data.

At the open houses, MDTA staff will go over the environmental review process for the Bay Crossing Tier 1 Study, the overall study schedule, public comments received to date, and the alternatives development, screening process and results. There will not be a formal presentation. Staff will be on hand to answer questions.

These open houses are planned for public review and comment:

• Tuesday, October 1, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Middle River Middle School, 800 Middle River Road, Middle River.
• Wednesday, October 2, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Anne Arundel Community College, Student Union Dining Hall, 101 College Pkwy., Arnold. Parking available in Lot A.
• Thursday, October 3, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Talbot County Community Center, 10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton.
• Wednesday, October 9, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Kent Island High School, 900 Love Point Road, Stevensville.

The Oct.9 open house replaces a Sept. 25 event at Queen Anne’s County High School that was rescheduled at the request of local officials, according to a news release. A second open house in Anne Arundel County is being planned.

To view the display boards that will be shown at the public open houses, click here: open house display boards. To follow Bay Crossing Tier 1 Study updates or submit a comment online, visit baycrossingstudy.com.

SEE ALSO:

• Only 1 Option For New Bay Bridge Crossing Gov. Hogan Will OK
• Zipper Merge Technique Recommended For Bay Bridge Construction

"There is only one option I will ever accept: adding a third span to our existing Bay Bridge," Hogan said on Twitter. "While the federal process requires multiple proposals, the data is indisputable — this option would maximize congestion relief and minimize environmental impact.

The original 14 sites ranged from a northernmost bridge running from Aberdeen to Cecilton, three Baltimore County jumping-off points that reach to Church Hill or Centreville, or a southernmost span from the Patuxent Naval Air Station to the Somerset area. The site maps prepared by the Maryland Transportation Authority and the Federal Highway Administration can be found online.

The three possible locations for building a bridge are:

• Corridor 6: MD 100 to US 301 between Pasadena (Anne Arundel County), Rock Hall (Kent County) and Centreville (Queen Anne's County);
• Corridor 7: existing Bay Bridge corridor, US 50/301 to US 50 between Crofton (Anne Arundel County) and Queenstown (Queen Anne's County); and
• Corridor 8: US 50/301 between Crofton (Anne Arundel County) and Easton (Talbot County).

"While the no-build alternative and three preliminary corridor alternatives are being included in the federal environmental process for further study, traffic models indicate that one of the three, building a third crossing within the same corridor as the existing Bay Bridge (Corridor 7), would have the most positive impact on reducing traffic," said MDTA Executive Director Jim Ports in a news release last month.

Corridors 6, 7 and 8 are the preferred options for building another bridge across Chesapeake Bay, state transportation officials say.

"Inaction is simply not an option. Research tells us that if we fail to act, motorists could experience up to 14-mile delays by 2040," the governor said. "Marylanders all across the state depend on being able to cross the Chesapeake Bay, and this is the only serious way forward."

All three of the Anne Arundel bridge options will be severely disruptive to existing communities and sensitive environmental areas, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said. All three options could destroy parks along the Chesapeake Bay, at a time when the county is trying to expand public water access, he added.

His description of the sites is:

• The northern crossing (Corridor 6) appears to go through Downs Park
• The middle crossing (Corridor 7) appears to go through Sandy Point State Park
• The southern crossing (Corridor 8) appears to go through Beverly Triton Nature Park

Which route do you think makes the most sense for another Chesapeake Bay bridge? Tell us in comments.

In August 2016, Gov. Hogan ordered the Maryland Transportation Authority to explore options for a second Chesapeake Bay crossing as way to improve life for farmers, vacationers, business owners and residents. On a typical summer Sunday, 96,000 vehicles cross the bridge; by 2040 the traffic count could increase by 30 percent, he said.

State analysis determined the existing Bay Bridge spans would last through 2065. By 2040, daily backups in the eastbound direction could extend 13 miles in the summer, with 14-mile backups in the westbound lanes, the governor said. The state analysis of the Bay Bridge shows that the vital structure is good for another 50 years of use with regular maintenance and repairs.

The two spans of the Gov. William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge were built in 1952 and 1973, and link Sandy Point near Annapolis to Kent Island.

Residents from across Maryland had previously commented on Baltimore County Delegate Robin Grammer's Facebook page, with those in his southeastern Baltimore County district mostly opposed to building the bridge in the area because of increased traffic worries. On Tuesday he thanked those who spoke up about the bridge sites. "Any of the proposed corridors in our area would have upended the local communities," Grammer wrote.

But Baltimore resident James Clidence disagreed, posting: "We really need another one more north, I thought the whole point was for the whole city and county not to have to commute south. We desperately need one in southeast Baltimore. Especially with the new warehouses that have opened. Amazon, Fed Ex and Under Armor here in Dundalk would benefit from one in Baltimore or even southern Harford County."

Many residents said option 6, starting in the Pasadena area, would bring too much traffic onto already gridlocked roads.

Commenter Cyndi Burton said, "Frankly there needs to be a route closer to DC across the bay and right to Wicomico County for all the VA and DC travelers and to get them off the 50/301 route that folks north of MD use."

Some Kent County residents said they don't want the bridge and additional visitors in their area.
"No Bay Bridge to Kent County! (options 2-6) If we wanted to live in the suburban culture of Baltimore or Washington, we would move to the western shore," posted Trudy Anderson. "We like our slower way of life here, just the way it is. Why do you think people travel to Chestertown, Rock Hall, and the rest of Kent County to escape the hustle and bustle of the Baltimore-Washington megalopolis?"