The tragic accident on the Bel Air Bypass this fall has led to state action to improve safety along the dangerous stretch of Rt. 1. After a three-car accident killed a mother and one of her young children and resulted in criminal charges against the negligent driver, public outcry generated a response.
Local officials have introduced legislation for stricter penalties on hit-and-run drivers, and representatives to Annapolis called for change.
Now, Sen. Barry Glassman said rumble strips will be added to the median along the bypass this spring, and a median barrier will be planned in the next fiscal year.
The rumble strips will run from Water Tower Way to Winters Run bridge beginning in spring 2009, and the traffic barrier will be between Water Tower Way and MD 24, as funding becomes available. The barrier is estimated to cost $9 million to $12 million. Other roadway improvements will be necessary, such as reconstruction of the shoulder to bear weight of daily traffic, the road will be widened, and new drainage inlets will be installed.
According to Del. Wayne Norman’s office, a constituent raised the idea of installing rumble strips. In a request for comment, Norman said “I don’t know if SHA got the idea from the constituent letter, but evidently it was a good idea. That’s why hearing from constituents is so important.”
The press release from Glassman’s office is below:
MD SHA/ Sen. Glassman Announce Safety Enhancements to Bel Air Bypass
Senator Glassman praises MD State Highway Administration’s Decision to enhance safety along US Route 1 Bypass
Annapolis, MD- Senator Barry Glassman is commending Md State Highway officials for their decision to 1) install centerline rumble strips on the Bel Air Bypass this Spring and 2) begin design and construction of a new traffic barrier within the next fiscal year.
The Bel Air Bypass was the site of a fatal crash this past fall on November 7th and many Harford Countians had expressed concern over the dangerous mix of speed and increasing congestion in the area.
Senator Glassman said he looks forward to working with State Highway Officials to identify 9 to 12 million dollars for the barrier construction.
The Bypass is no more dangers then any other road. The problem is drivers who should not be on the road.This sounds like the gun control debate blame the gun (road) not the person (driver)
Muzzy- I agree with your basic argument that driver error/carelessness is a huge problem-not just on the bypass, but on most of our roads- but, the fact of the matter is that the bypass is at best incomplete, and, at worst, a failed road.
Show me another road in the county where we dare drivers to play chicken three and four abreast at 55-60 MPH.
I cannot disagree with the argument that driver ineptitude has some part in the problems with the bypass. But the problems extend beyond the drivers to the road itself.
The bypass is incomplete at best, and, at worst, a failed road.
Show me another road in the county where we dare drivers to play chicken three and four abreast at 55-60 MPH.
A little engineering to save lives? Tell me that’s not money well spent.
It really helps to kill an entire family in order to get legitimate concern raised. Would someone from Bel Air or Fallston please come and get killed at Rt 22 and Beards Hill Road so that Aberdeen can get it’s worst intersection fixed too?
Dave- I thought the addition of all of the lights at the new 95 interchange had changed the traffic pattern there.
Is the problem there engineering or driver based?
(Although I may send a few cars that way if you think that alone will solve the problem :).)
I agree with you Muzzy … seems like classic overreaction to me. Both the Dagger and WJZ keep talking about this “deadly” road, but apparently other than this recent accident (which was a failure of our laws/law enforcement to keep Lentz off the road), the only other deadly accident I hear mentioned was 13 years ago! With thirteen years between accidents like this, then the bypass is hardly an issue. This type of reasoning is why there are stop lights in every flipping corner of Bel Air rather than any type of rational infrastructure plan. Stop putting out fires and actually deal with the core infrastructure problems.
“Accidents are not rare on this stretch of road, and another fatal accident occurred close to the location of Friday’s tragedy only two years ago.”
From a letter penned by:
David R. Craig, Harford County Executive
William Boniface, Harford County Council President
Barry Glassman, Senator, Distirct 35, Harford County
H. Wayne Norman, Delegate, District 35A, Harford County
Susan K. McComas, Delegate, District 35B, Harford County
http://www.daggerpress.com/2008/11/11/glassmanstifler-harford-officials-call-for-median-barrier-at-bel-air-bypass-fatal-crash-site/
Dell;
The majority of the problem is on Beards Hill Rd. The “engineering” there was don by the same group of guys that designed the cathedral in Strassburg, France. There are unlimited opportunities for the normal fender benders all along that miserable stretch from 22 to bend behind Kleins. Then there are the numerous messes at the actual intersection when folk try to make turns against traffic and since you can’t see beyond your own hood due to the hump in the road, there are the really dramatic ones.
I asked if I should send these capsules back and they said no. ,