A new MD 331, Dover Bridge connecting Caroline and Talbot
Counties has long been my top local highway/bridge priority. The new bridge will be a two-lane, fixed span structure 60-feet south of the existing bridge. The new structure will have a 50-foot water clearance and consist of two 12’ lanes and 8’ shoulders. Due to the historical significance, being one of only three historic swing spans left in the state, the existing bridge will be retained and maintained and left in the open position.
Constructing a new bridge will provide a safe and dependable MD
331 crossing of the Choptank River that will accommodate both vehicular and marine traffic. The existing structure has had mechanical difficulties with the drawbridge in the past that has affected commerce and emergency services in Caroline and Talbot Counties. The existing bridge is functionally obsolete and it does not provide sufficient passing room for large vehicles.
Design is currently 90 percent complete with an Ad date of March 18, 2014. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2014 with utility relocation to be completed in the winter of 2017. The actual cost of construction is $53.4 million and is now included in the MDOT Consolidated Transportation Plan.
MD 404 – Shore Highway, from US 50 to the Denton Bypass is needed to ensure safety on a high speed ‘reach the beach’ road. It is part of a larger strategy to reduce traffic congestion caused by high seasonal peaks associated with summer resort traffic and to improve safety and service on a highway that AAA identifies as one of the ten most dangerous in America.
This project widens MD 404 from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided section. The 11.8 mile projects from US 50 to the Denton Bypass is broken into six phases. Phase 1A from East of Tuckahoe Creek to MD 480 was completed and opened to traffic in November 2011. Phase 1B, West of MD 309 to East of Tuckahoe Creek is funded for design, right of way, and construction and the right of way has been cleared. The remaining phases have completed 30 percent design and are currently on-hold. Department Secretary Parran stated that this project is again a “Priority” and they recognize that we need the allocation of construction monies.
The Cambridge Marine Terminal Redevelopment project, originally known as Sailwinds, Senate Bill 152, has unanimously passed the Senate.
The legislation is pending signature by the Governor. The legislation
changes the recipient of the funds designated for the design, construction, renovation, reconstruction, and capital equipping of improvements and redevelopment of the Cambridge Marine Terminal from the Maryland Economic Development Corporation to the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Cambridge. The funds will be governed through the Capital Grants Program. Once the legislation is signed by the Governor, the Department of General Services will send the City an application package.
The Maryland Department of Transportation funds will be provided
through a Secretary’s Grant Agreement. The Grant will be provided to the budget committees for a 45 day review and comment period, prior to the Board of Public Works (BPW) considering the disposition.
The BPW approved the Wetland License on February 19, 2014. The
application included a joint state/federal review. The City wants to move forward with the Offshore Geotechnical Borings as soon as possible. MDOT and the City are working through the necessary steps to turn over the property (the Cambridge Marine Terminal) to the City of Cambridge.
Wharves at Choptank – Caroline County Visitor’s Center
Caroline is the only county in Maryland without a Visitor’s Center. Denton has hired an engineering consultant familiar with the SHA and federal-aid projects to prepare the plans, specification, and an estimate package for submittal to SHA. The Town of Denton confirmed that the project is moving forward towards advertisement through a more traditional procurement approach know as Design-Bid-Build. Don Mulrine, Town manager has arranged a meeting with SHA in early March to review plans and determine what if any additional modifications are necessary. The target is to submit the PSE package in early April. In addition to the development of the engineering plans and specifications, Denton will need to provide a detailed estimate. SHA’s liaison has been working with Denton’s engineer to answer questions and provide guidance. Mr. Mulrine has been very pleased with the response that he and the team are now
receiving from SHA.
Greensboro Sanitary Sewer Force Main from Greensboro to Goldsboro along MD 313 –This project is necessary for the Northern Caroline County Waste Water Treatment Project. The towns are in the lead for development and will continue to coordinate with SHA to utilize the SHA right-of-way for the new sewer line. A very productive coordination meeting was held with SHA in late January. SHA does not foresee any more obstacles at this time. The Town’s schedule is to start construction of the sewer plant this summer. The project which is on-track will last several
years.
Also Senator Hershey and I recently inquired about the possible sale
of State owned land (Maryland Department of Transportation as the
custodial State agency) in Caroline County. This property could be used as the site for a new intermediate school in Denton to relieve overcrowding at three elementary schools. It would house fourth and fifth grade students from three schools and eventually transition to a middle school. The property, referred to as the “Duffy” property was evaluated by the Department of State Planning Clearinghouse during calendar 2013. The Maryland Department of Transportation is still in negotiations with the county concerning the terms of any potential future conveyance. One of the obstacles is that we believe that the State should transfer the land for little or no financial consideration. As a temporary fix to the overcrowding, a total of seventeen portable classrooms are located at Greensboro, Ridgely, and Denton elementary schools.
Regarding another matter, the North Dorchester Railroad is a
dedicated group of citizens who have been working for nine years to
rehabilitate the line between Preston and Hurlock. The group has been working to get the State owned rail line turned over to the Town of Hurlock.
Once the Town receives this, the group will rehabilitate it as a scenic rail line. They are presently working internally on the regulatory issues and the MTA Rail Freight Strategic Planning effort is on schedule to provide information regarding the status of the Preston Line in the spring of this year.
Finally, an over 55 Active Community, Heron Point, is being planned
for the City of Cambridge, located on Route 343. The developer of the project has requested consideration of a Secretary’s grant to help pay for this project. As a result of the impending traffic, a round-a-bout is needed to adequately facilitate traffic movement and access to 343.
A couple bills of interest passed the Senate this week.
Caroline is the only county in Maryland without a Visitor’s Center. Denton has hired an engineering consultant familiar with the SHA and federal-aid projects to prepare the plans, specification, and an estimate package for submittal to SHA. The Town of Denton confirmed that the project is moving forward towards advertisement through a more traditional procurement approach know as Design-Bid-Build. Don Mulrine, Town manager has arranged a meeting with SHA in early March to review plans and determine what if any additional modifications are necessary. The target is to submit the PSE package in early April. In addition to the development of the engineering plans and specifications, Denton will need to provide a detailed estimate. SHA’s liaison has been working with Denton’s engineer to answer questions and provide guidance. Mr. Mulrine has been very pleased with the response that he and the team are now
receiving from SHA.
Greensboro Sanitary Sewer Force Main from Greensboro to Goldsboro along MD 313 –This project is necessary for the Northern Caroline County Waste Water Treatment Project. The towns are in the lead for development and will continue to coordinate with SHA to utilize the SHA right-of-way for the new sewer line. A very productive coordination meeting was held with SHA in late January. SHA does not foresee any more obstacles at this time. The Town’s schedule is to start construction of the sewer plant this summer. The project which is on-track will last several
years.
Also Senator Hershey and I recently inquired about the possible sale
of State owned land (Maryland Department of Transportation as the
custodial State agency) in Caroline County. This property could be used as the site for a new intermediate school in Denton to relieve overcrowding at three elementary schools. It would house fourth and fifth grade students from three schools and eventually transition to a middle school. The property, referred to as the “Duffy” property was evaluated by the Department of State Planning Clearinghouse during calendar 2013. The Maryland Department of Transportation is still in negotiations with the county concerning the terms of any potential future conveyance. One of the obstacles is that we believe that the State should transfer the land for little or no financial consideration. As a temporary fix to the overcrowding, a total of seventeen portable classrooms are located at Greensboro, Ridgely, and Denton elementary schools.
Regarding another matter, the North Dorchester Railroad is a
dedicated group of citizens who have been working for nine years to
rehabilitate the line between Preston and Hurlock. The group has been working to get the State owned rail line turned over to the Town of Hurlock.
Once the Town receives this, the group will rehabilitate it as a scenic rail line. They are presently working internally on the regulatory issues and the MTA Rail Freight Strategic Planning effort is on schedule to provide information regarding the status of the Preston Line in the spring of this year.
Finally, an over 55 Active Community, Heron Point, is being planned
for the City of Cambridge, located on Route 343. The developer of the project has requested consideration of a Secretary’s grant to help pay for this project. As a result of the impending traffic, a round-a-bout is needed to adequately facilitate traffic movement and access to 343.
A couple bills of interest passed the Senate this week.
Senate Bill 477 (Education – Talbot County Board of Education –
Lease of Public School Facility) passed on Tuesday, February 25. This bill would authorize the Talbot County Board of Education to lease a public school facility to an organization that operates a community-based educational and recreational program to use a public school facility if (1) the lease term is no longer than 99 years, (2) the county board does not anticipate a need for the facility during the lease term, and (3) the county board determines that the public school system will benefit from the operation of the program at the facility.
Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) advises that it plans to lease
property adjacent to St. Michaels Middle-High School to the YMCA of the Chesapeake for $1 per year with the stipulation that the YMCA provides the payment of utilities for the property and maintenance of the building and grounds. The lease, including its duration, has yet to be negotiated. TCPS indicates that this is the only lease being planned at this time.
YMCA intends to construct and operate a 20,000 square foot facility
at the public school site that will feature a wellness center, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, and an indoor walking track. TCPS finds that the public school system will benefit from YMCA programming, including health and wellness initiatives for TCPS employees and students, summer camp and summer school programs, and student swim team use of the proposed indoor pool. This bill would obviously help facilitate the Talbot County YMCAs expansion in St. Michaels.
Senate Bill 221 (Farm Area Motor Vehicles – Registration and
Authorized Use) sponsored by Senator Mac. Middleton (D. – Charles Co.) passed on Thursday, February 27. This bill would increase from 10 to 25 miles the radius from a farm within which a person may operate on a highway a vehicle registered as a farm area motor vehicle. It would also require an applicant for registration of a farm area motor vehicle to submit with the application specified federal tax documentation of his/her active farming status.”
Lease of Public School Facility) passed on Tuesday, February 25. This bill would authorize the Talbot County Board of Education to lease a public school facility to an organization that operates a community-based educational and recreational program to use a public school facility if (1) the lease term is no longer than 99 years, (2) the county board does not anticipate a need for the facility during the lease term, and (3) the county board determines that the public school system will benefit from the operation of the program at the facility.
Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) advises that it plans to lease
property adjacent to St. Michaels Middle-High School to the YMCA of the Chesapeake for $1 per year with the stipulation that the YMCA provides the payment of utilities for the property and maintenance of the building and grounds. The lease, including its duration, has yet to be negotiated. TCPS indicates that this is the only lease being planned at this time.
YMCA intends to construct and operate a 20,000 square foot facility
at the public school site that will feature a wellness center, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, and an indoor walking track. TCPS finds that the public school system will benefit from YMCA programming, including health and wellness initiatives for TCPS employees and students, summer camp and summer school programs, and student swim team use of the proposed indoor pool. This bill would obviously help facilitate the Talbot County YMCAs expansion in St. Michaels.
Senate Bill 221 (Farm Area Motor Vehicles – Registration and
Authorized Use) sponsored by Senator Mac. Middleton (D. – Charles Co.) passed on Thursday, February 27. This bill would increase from 10 to 25 miles the radius from a farm within which a person may operate on a highway a vehicle registered as a farm area motor vehicle. It would also require an applicant for registration of a farm area motor vehicle to submit with the application specified federal tax documentation of his/her active farming status.”
how about dnr? rich you gonna take them to task for all the bs regs they pass with no oversight? cut their budget!
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