OCEAN CITY — The severe storm that popped up unexpectedly in and around the resort area late Monday afternoon created a domino-effect of sorts around the downtown area that snarled traffic well into Monday evening.
The late Monday afternoon storm included several inches of rain in a short amount of time, a tornado warning, hail and flash flooding in and around the downtown area prone to high water during even modest weather events. Ocean City officials had already cut off traffic to south of the Route 50 Bridge when an accident occurred at the base of the span, further complicating the heavy volume of traffic pouring into the resort. Route 50 eastbound was at a standstill and, anecdotally, a typical 10-minute run from West Ocean City into Ocean City turned into an hour.
Complicating the issue even further was damage caused to the two drawbridge gates on the westbound side of the bridge. State Highway Administration officials said on Monday the two drop-down gates on the westbound side of the bridge that prevent traffic from crossing when the drawbridge is open were snapped off by heavy winds during the sudden Monday afternoon storm and needed to be repaired, causing SHA to close a portion of the westbound lanes on the bridge.
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You would think with all of that money they make from fines, tickets and meters and taxes, they could put a new bridge in that can handle all of this stuff... But no,lets wait until something bad happens, then we can try to fix it... Everyone is to worried about wasting money these says, which the govt is doing, but never where it is needed or should be spent...
ReplyDeleteThe town of Ocean City gets the money from parking, fines, etc.. The State of Maryland owns and controls the bridge. Two separate governments.
ReplyDeleteDon't confuse them with facts. The bridge is in OC so OC pays for it. The waitress at Red Lobster puts the check down next you, you pay, it's simple like that.
ReplyDeleteThey have so many problems with that bridge. Maybe it is not being maintained or is it wore out and needs replacing?
ReplyDeleteLots of lipstick on that old pig and eventually it will break. SHA is responsible, but the town requested a Route 50 replacement be placed behind a new span for route 90.
ReplyDeleteSMH!