Friday’s article on proposed roundabout at Riverside/Carroll/Mill/Camden intersection, in my opium, is a total waste of taxpayer money. Numerous studies conducted over the years have shown that the lack of free-flow traffic would result in backups into the roundabout. Listed are a few examples to consider:
1. Roundabout traffic flow will be impeded by the Mill/W. Main intersection.
2. Northbound Mill/Rt. 50 traffic flow is impeded at times due to the lack of storage for southbound Mill Street traffic.
3. SHA has never recommended, as far as I know, this intersection for roundabout design.
These intersections have been a problem and have grown worse with the tremendous growth on the West side. Long range planning have suggested a couple traffic options to consider:
1. High-rise bridge construction over the Wicomico River.
2. New high school on the West side.
The newspaper article also mentioned Mt. Hermon/Long/Truitt/E. Main/E. William intersection for roundabout consideration. I attended many roundabout workshops at the Office of Traffic in Hanover , Md.. where roundabout designs for these intersections were discussed. SHA Rt. 350 maintenance stops short of the intersection by about 200 feet which means no SHA money. The construction estimate at the time was $800,000.00 not including right-of-ways which would add about $1,200,000.00 to the cost. Also, was the lack of storage on Truitt Street.
Re: #2: East side is expanding rapidly too! We never got the high school that was promised to us many moons ago after they tore the old one down. West side already has a high school. Why do you need another one?
ReplyDeleteUmm please share with the rest of us the high school on the west side? You must be about 75 and thinking about the old Salisbury High which is now Salisbury Middle
DeleteThe easiest and most cost effective way to solve the traffic issue there is to make one way streets. Mill St. to W. Main/50. S. Division one way to Carroll St. Camden Ave. one way to Mill St. from Wicomico St. Cost = New signs and painting new lines and turn lane designations.
ReplyDeleteA round about is a "waste of money" but a new bridge or high school is more affordable? Seriously?
ReplyDeleteA new high school is over $70m (JMBennett was almost $74m) and a new bridge would be well over $100m.
It is a terrible intersection with no perfect solutions but a roundabout is far more affordable than your other options.
Also, SHA has never recommended a roundabout for this location because (as you pointed out) they are not responsible for this intersection.
Really had to laugh when I started reading this and got to the part that says, "in my opium". Otherwise good article.
ReplyDeleteVery good article / comment.
ReplyDeleteThis is a hugely important topic for our town.
I agree with many who suggest that Mill Street should be a one-way street.
That is the primary cause of the back up as a lot of people are trying to get over there from downtown area.
Maybe a new bridge is needed?
Two cops directing traffic the old fashioned way at the lights, only during rush hour, would solve most of the congestion.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely most sensible cost efficient solution I've heard yet!!
DeletePrecisely
DeleteThat's a good idea. Maybe people wouldn't block lanes if they got tickets for doing so. The city could make alot of money with all the folks that block route 50.
Deletegot a better idea weld rt 50 and fitzwater st bridges shut move those few crappy businesses down river.
ReplyDeleteBridges don't open enough to cause the magnitude of problems at that intersection. Lights and traffic volume are the culprits.
ReplyDeleteI travel this route everyday...morning and night...it's a mess and the proposed roundabout will make it worse. The Fruitland roundabout has sufficient clear roads to allow the traffic to flow without backing up the exit traffic.....The light at Rt. 50 and W. Main will create a nightmare rather than a solution. Money thrown away again!
ReplyDeleteRed lights STOP the traffic flow, roundabouts only SLOW traffic, not stop it. It will be much better than what they have now. You'll see, because its coming. And you will like it once you qet your belly-aching to it over with.
ReplyDeleteFake Day or one of his cronies get off the computer. Anyone who can think logically, used the roundabout in Fruitland, and drives this area every day during peak times knows this won't work. Who's the good ole boy in line for this kickback?
DeleteOne way streets make the most sense to alleviate congestion and keep traffic flow unless the roundabout is really a smokescreen for making a certain company or person a bunch of money. There is something fishy going on if they proceed with roundabout plan.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah this is long vision problem, reaction, solution. Good ole boy A gets the fat bid to build this fiasco. Good ole boy B gets the new bid to fix the roundabout problem
DeleteA lot of people are concerned at the limited intelligence of our drivers causing the roundabout to be ineffective. Though it's true we are in an area with below average intelligence and similarly shockingly inept drivers, the roundabout is the best solution. With enough practice and car accidents they will learn and the roundabout will be a passable solution. The reality is like any town with converging waterways traffic is often a problem at such bridge limited interchanges, perfection won't be realized, but some increased efficiency is likely.
ReplyDeleteWhen the proposed shopping center/restaurant opens it will even be worse.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the hired typists are all back from their taxpayer funded lunches.
ReplyDeleteThey simply should close Camden Ave since it is only one way now and close Riverside Drive off and only allow Mill Street and E. Carroll st to come and go. What good is the rounda-about going to be when that stupid Cactcus Taverna is built where it floods from the Wicomico River. That land where that dumb restaurant is going to built is just a marsh land.
ReplyDeleteWicomico County Schools isnt building a new high school. Under there 2018 Master Plan Call for Addition of JMB High due to projected enrollments will be 1800/1496 capacity in 5-8 Years. Addition to JMB Middle due to projected enrollments will be around 1300/1114 capacity. JMB high and Middle will hit capacity thjs incoming school year or will be over capacity. Also calling for Additions to Parkside High is currently over capacity by 23% , 1153/944 Capacity. Just shows planning on new JMB schools wasnt done very well. Within 5-8 years all high schools including Mardela will be over capacity by large numbers.
ReplyDeleteWithin 5-8 years all high schools including Mardela will be over capacity by large numbers.
ReplyDeleteJuly 24, 2017 at 7:39 PM
Maybe, but only until they turn 16yoa then most will quit.
In my OPIUM>>> ROTFL
ReplyDeleteIn my OPIUM???? ROTFL!
ReplyDeleteTwo things to consider: 1. That people know the rules of the road, and 2. That people will courteously accept minor errors in driving. Unfortunately no one gives a damn anymore - it's all about ME and getting to where I need to be.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteTwo things to consider: 1. That people know the rules of the road, and 2. That people will courteously accept minor errors in driving. Unfortunately no one gives a damn anymore - it's all about ME and getting to where I need to be.
July 30, 2017 at 9:43 AM
Unfortunately you are correct. Everyone is an expert driver and the rest of us obstacles to get around.