This site is designed for people who would like to comment on what is wrong with Annapolis. Anything you think needs to be addressed by our City Council, Mayor, Residents or Local Businesses.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Traffic?
9 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Traffic problems in Annapolis are the result of our planning and zoning policies. You have to drive everywhere. We're finally starting to see more mixed-use developments where people can live/work/play and not have to get in their cars. There is an appalling lack of sidewalks and bike paths/lanes. Poor public transportation. At least we have buses, but not enough. How does the capital of the state not have rail links with two major cities each approx. 30 miles away?
With regard to Rt. 50, nothing is going to get better until there is another bay crossing. Nobody in the state gov't is willing to truly take that project on because it's failure (resulting from it's being over-budget, construction delays, or a combination of both) isn't conducive to re-election. Don't think O'Malley will address this issue, he doesn't have time on this stop-over to Washington and a probable Presidential run in 2012.
Damn you good Anonymous! Your right, in order to get anywhere in Annapolis you have to drive unless you live right next to the Naval Stadium and can take the free trolley into town. I don't think the elitists of Annapolis want a railway from either Baltimore or DC so I don't think that will happen. The bridge point is right on though. There have been several plans to build another bridge. The last location considered was north over to Rock Hall which is ridiculous. The Bay Bridge traffic is not a problem because of northerners. They have the Delaware Bridge to use. The problem is that all of DC and counties west use the Bay Bridge instead of going straight down Rt 4 to where the real new bridge location should be off of Calvert Cliffs over to Rt 13 to Cambridge.
Part of the problem with the rail links is that there is no place to put them within city limits, so the city has no control over the process. Maybe you could build a rail to Baltimore along the Ritchie Highway corridor and put the station near St. John's, but a rail to DC would almost certainly have to be built with a station on county property.
Several of the aldermen--notably Stankivic--have worked on this but I don't know that they are any closer to a rail.
Be careful of what you ask for. Rail systems are not always a good idea. Yes it helps you get here to the city, but it also helps those from the city get to here. Look at what happened to Towson when they got their rail system into Baltimore. Been to the Towson Town Center lately?
I used to live in Roland Park and have been to Towson Town Center many times. Not to different from the Annapolis Mall (refuse to call it Westfield Shopping Town at Annapolis). Besides to what rail link are you referring that services Towson? According to MTA website both MARC trains and Light Rail don't stop in Towson and neither does the subway.
I think a rail link to and from DC/Baltimore and Annapolis would be a little better regulated than the Baltimore Light Rail system. It seems about half the riders actually pay on the Light Rail. I would think the cost of a ride from Annapolis to DC/Balt. would be reasonable, but at the same time a bit cost prohibitive to the panhandling, petty thief, pickpocket demographic that the previous poster seems to fear. It is a justifiable fear, as nobody meeting that description currently lives in Annapolis ;-)
I am a realist though and I acknowledge that a rail link between the three cities in question will be a long time coming.
I'd love for the city to post a full-page ad in The Capital with a big diagram showing people how you drive on traffic circle. Westgate Circle is a cauldron of poor driving, ignorance, and near-misses. A lot of people don't realize there are two lanes in the circle and they also ignore clearly marked lines. If you enter the circle from the right lane of the two approaching lanes than you are supposed to turn right onto the next intersecting road. If you are in the left lane of the two approaching lanes than you will be on the inside lane of the circle and should not be making an immediate right onto the next intersecting road. You are supposed to proceed around the circle to the intersecting road you desire. Its not F@%#ing rocket science people follow the signs and follow the lines.
Instead of the seriously considered elevated tram system that was proposed a few years ago why don't we do a hot air balloon shuttle service around town. That way it will only take you an hour to get from Rt 50 to downtown in the summer as opposed to an hour and a half driving on Forest drive, west street, rowe blvd, and bay ridge avenue, and the DREADED WESTGATE CIRCLE! That should be the title of Bram Stokers next movie. At least the skyline will look pretty with Balloons.
Lyle Lanley: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth Like a genuine, Bona fide, Electrified, Six-car Monorail! What'd I say? Ned Flanders: Monorail! Lyle Lanley: What's it called? Patty+Selma: Monorail! Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail! [crowd chants `Monorail' softly and rhythmically] Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud... Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud. Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend? Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend. Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs? Lyle Lanley: You'll be given cushy jobs. Abe: Were you sent here by the devil? Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level. Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can. Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man. I swear it's Springfield's only choice... Throw up your hands and raise your voice! All: Monorail! Lyle Lanley: What's it called? All: Monorail! Lyle Lanley: Once again... All: Monorail! Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken... Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken! All: Monorail! Monorail! Monorail! [big finish] Monorail! Homer: Mono... D'oh!
I think Mayor Quimby...err...Moyer would probably love the Balloon idea.
I think the recent proposal that came out of the envision annapolis campaign that calls for re-opening Poplar Ave as a public transportation link has some merit. Its the old rail right-of-way that runs parallel to West St. and its still owned by the city. Perfect place for a tram, light-rail, or something of that ilk.
My name is Andrew Fox. I am co-owner of the Sly Fox Pub on Church Circle. I created this blog in order to address any concerns people have with Annapolis. It is difficult to get your opinions across in Annapolis due to the limited public involvement in governmental affairs. This blog will allow users to post their concerns and hopefully develop relationships with people who want to see the same things accomplished.
9 comments:
Traffic problems in Annapolis are the result of our planning and zoning policies. You have to drive everywhere. We're finally starting to see more mixed-use developments where people can live/work/play and not have to get in their cars. There is an appalling lack of sidewalks and bike paths/lanes. Poor public transportation. At least we have buses, but not enough. How does the capital of the state not have rail links with two major cities each approx. 30 miles away?
With regard to Rt. 50, nothing is going to get better until there is another bay crossing. Nobody in the state gov't is willing to truly take that project on because it's failure (resulting from it's being over-budget, construction delays, or a combination of both) isn't conducive to re-election. Don't think O'Malley will address this issue, he doesn't have time on this stop-over to Washington and a probable Presidential run in 2012.
Damn you good Anonymous! Your right, in order to get anywhere in Annapolis you have to drive unless you live right next to the Naval Stadium and can take the free trolley into town. I don't think the elitists of Annapolis want a railway from either Baltimore or DC so I don't think that will happen. The bridge point is right on though. There have been several plans to build another bridge. The last location considered was north over to Rock Hall which is ridiculous. The Bay Bridge traffic is not a problem because of northerners. They have the Delaware Bridge to use. The problem is that all of DC and counties west use the Bay Bridge instead of going straight down Rt 4 to where the real new bridge location should be off of Calvert Cliffs over to Rt 13 to Cambridge.
Part of the problem with the rail links is that there is no place to put them within city limits, so the city has no control over the process. Maybe you could build a rail to Baltimore along the Ritchie Highway corridor and put the station near St. John's, but a rail to DC would almost certainly have to be built with a station on county property.
Several of the aldermen--notably Stankivic--have worked on this but I don't know that they are any closer to a rail.
Be careful of what you ask for. Rail systems are not always a good idea. Yes it helps you get here to the city, but it also helps those from the city get to here. Look at what happened to Towson when they got their rail system into Baltimore. Been to the Towson Town Center lately?
I used to live in Roland Park and have been to Towson Town Center many times. Not to different from the Annapolis Mall (refuse to call it Westfield Shopping Town at Annapolis). Besides to what rail link are you referring that services Towson? According to MTA website both MARC trains and Light Rail don't stop in Towson and neither does the subway.
I think a rail link to and from DC/Baltimore and Annapolis would be a little better regulated than the Baltimore Light Rail system. It seems about half the riders actually pay on the Light Rail. I would think the cost of a ride from Annapolis to DC/Balt. would be reasonable, but at the same time a bit cost prohibitive to the panhandling, petty thief, pickpocket demographic that the previous poster seems to fear. It is a justifiable fear, as nobody meeting that description currently lives in Annapolis ;-)
I am a realist though and I acknowledge that a rail link between the three cities in question will be a long time coming.
I'd love for the city to post a full-page ad in The Capital with a big diagram showing people how you drive on traffic circle. Westgate Circle is a cauldron of poor driving, ignorance, and near-misses. A lot of people don't realize there are two lanes in the circle and they also ignore clearly marked lines. If you enter the circle from the right lane of the two approaching lanes than you are supposed to turn right onto the next intersecting road. If you are in the left lane of the two approaching lanes than you will be on the inside lane of the circle and should not be making an immediate right onto the next intersecting road. You are supposed to proceed around the circle to the intersecting road you desire. Its not F@%#ing rocket science people follow the signs and follow the lines.
Instead of the seriously considered elevated tram system that was proposed a few years ago why don't we do a hot air balloon shuttle service around town. That way it will only take you an hour to get from Rt 50 to downtown in the summer as opposed to an hour and a half driving on Forest drive, west street, rowe blvd, and bay ridge avenue, and the DREADED WESTGATE CIRCLE! That should be the title of Bram Stokers next movie. At least the skyline will look pretty with Balloons.
Lyle Lanley: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail!
What'd I say?
Ned Flanders: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
Patty+Selma: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail!
[crowd chants `Monorail' softly and rhythmically]
Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud...
Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud.
Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend?
Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs?
Lyle Lanley: You'll be given cushy jobs.
Abe: Were you sent here by the devil?
Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level.
Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can.
Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man.
I swear it's Springfield's only choice...
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: Once again...
All: Monorail!
Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken...
Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!
All: Monorail!
Monorail!
Monorail!
[big finish]
Monorail!
Homer: Mono... D'oh!
I think Mayor Quimby...err...Moyer would probably love the Balloon idea.
I think the recent proposal that came out of the envision annapolis campaign that calls for re-opening Poplar Ave as a public transportation link has some merit. Its the old rail right-of-way that runs parallel to West St. and its still owned by the city. Perfect place for a tram, light-rail, or something of that ilk.
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