Gridlock got you down? Come to the traffic open house
by Mary Helen Sprecher
newsroom@baltimoreguide.com
Those who are frustrated with traffic delays, or who want to voice their own suggestions for improvement are about to get their chance.
The Southeast Traffic Plan Open House series is held on Wednesday, June 13, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue, and on Wednesday, June 20, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the General Wolfe Elementary School, 245 S. Wolfe Street.
In a flyer to community members, officials noted, “Development in Baltimore is on the rise, especially in Southeast.”
As construction increases—mirroring the area’s popularity as a tourism and nightlife destination and a place to live—the number of cars in the area has also jumped. Parking and congestion have become problematic, particularly at rush hours and on weekends.
“The Department of Transportation invites you to network with other residents while learning city officials’ ideas on how to alleviate traffic in this corridor of the city,” read the memo from officials.
City officials have noted several long-standing problems in the area. They have installed new signals around the railroad tracks. Many who live in or drive through regularly have developed their own routes to get around the tracks, particularly at busy times. However, as the area increases in popularity, it brings in drivers who are unfamiliar with the geography of the area and the location of the tracks.
In addition, city officials would like to see Boston Street widened, but are only in the preliminary stages of investigating the traffic problems there. When a study does actually begin, the stretch of Boston from Baylis Street to the I-95 exit is expected to be the most heavily scrutinized.
City officials are also expected to revisit the notion of creating one-way thruways of Aliceanna and Fleet streets, an idea that in the past has been attractive to through-commuters but anathema to residents of Fells Point.
Pedestrians may have their say also. Cantonites objected to the Icon project, a waterfront high-rise condo and retail tower proposed for Lighthouse Point, not only because the height and bulk of the building would interrupt views, but because they said it is getting difficult to cross Boston Street because of the traffic.
Note: The Southeast Traffic Plan Open House series is held on Wednesday, June 13, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue, and on Wednesday, June 20, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the General Wolfe Elementary School, 245 S. Wolfe Street.
June 8th, 2007 at 4:01 am
Hey, can the city get rid of that trap where right turns on red off the freeway are cited? The signage is confusing — there are, like, ten signs there — and patrol cars sit and wait to cite people who make the right turn. I think it’s in downtown Baltimore. Tell your boss to ask the PD to ease up. Okay?
June 25th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I have resided on Aliceanna Street since 1982 and have witnessed a lot of changes. The planners who want to make Aliceanna/Fleet Streets west/east bound obviously do not care at all about the tax paying residents of this area. I would like for them to spend one week from Monday through Friday between the hours of 3PM and 6PM observing the extremely impatient motorists as they try to enter/exit the downtown area. It blows my mind to think that Baltimore City residents pay higher taxes, car insurance rates, etc. and then the planners want us to accommodate county residents who drive excessively past our homes to get to and from work. I work 1.5 miles from my home and I planned it that way. Also, the planners recently changed Pratt and Lombard streets from Broadway to Patterson Park Avenue to be east/west bound on each street respectively. Do the planners really know what they are doing? Try living on Aliceanna Street and my answer would be that they do not and they don’t care!