Off the Needed Path

Somehow, the ever sanctimonious Michael Dresser seems to think this is a feasible alternative to a new Bay Bridge:

Perhaps, as a toll agency, the authority feels an affection toward its counterpart in Delaware. But the combined toll for a weekend jaunt to the beach using the authority's suggested route comes to $13 for a passenger vehicle ($5 for Interstate 95 in Maryland, $4 for the Delaware Turnpike and $4 for Delaware Route 1). Hardly an incentive to avoid the $2.50 toll on the Bay Bridge, is it? Here's a modest proposal: Shift traffic to the northern route by reversing the toll incentives. The authority could adopt a modified version of congestion pricing on the bridge, raising the rate at times of peak weekend congestion to, say, $10 (exempting commuters and other frequent users).

Then, when emergencies close lanes, the authority could jack those prices up to truly demand-dampening rates. Let's say $20. That's still a pretty good deal when the previous alternative was a ferry.

That's the stick. The carrot would be to refund tolls on Interstate 95 and other toll facilities to motorists who use those alternate routes to reach the Eastern Shore during peak bridge travel periods. (There are ways.) Once you have the toll incentives in place, you stop giving Marylanders bad advice on reaching the beach and instead provide smart directions -- such as cutting over to U.S. 40 to avoid the Delaware Turnpike.

So instead of building a new bridge, Dresser would rather create a confusing myriad of "solutions" of allowing people to reach the beach. Of course, the cornerstone of this idea of is to really jack the tolls up at the existing Bay Bridge, but like any good liberal he completely ignores local economic factors in creating such a decision. With so many people living on th Eastern Shore who work on the Western Shore, it would virtually create a new tax aimed specifically at people who live and work on opposite shores. When you factor in the number of businesses in Greater Annapolis and Kent County that have business relationships with each other, Dresser's cockamamie idea really starts to become absurd and unfair tax on Anne Arundel and Kent County residents who already can factor in existing tolls into their household or small business budgets.

Don't worry though. Dresser's silly ideas don't end there. Because when in doubt, why not spend more taxpayer dollars:

Here's how the authority could spread out the traffic and lure people away from the Bay Bridge: There are two stops along I-95 where many travelers already pause for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat: the Maryland House and the Chesapeake House. The authority could set up kiosks there to distribute "goody bags" including directions to different Delmarva destinations and coupons good for gas and goods and services at the beach and at businesses along the different routes. Throw in claim forms for Maryland toll refunds and vouchers to cover tolls along Route 1 in Delaware.

How about a stuffed "Cecil the Bridgeless Bear" to honor the intrepid beast who made it to the Shore last week without paying a toll? The goal should be to make the northern route the No. 1 choice for Baltimore-area leisure travelers (and truckers). That frees up a more costly but less crowded Bay Bridge for folks from Annapolis and Washington while taking traffic pressure off Kent Island.

This is useful dialog? I don't think so.

It continually and constantly befuddles me that a so-called "expert" in transportation like Dresser would continually propose all sorts of off-the-wall solutions, but not endorse the most obvious, most useful solution of all to Bay Bridge traffic....

Privatization option still marginalized

Once again, alternatives to the current Bay Bridge situation are being floated and discussed. And once again, the idea is being debated within a framework that only allows for state funding and state construction of such an improvement.

Why not the private sector? Why not a privatized ferry system? Why not a privatized third span? Why are we so stuck in the muck that Maryland will not consider privatized alternatives? Every time I think we've turned the corner on this issue, we find ourselves right back at square one.

Instead, we get stupid stuff like this:

The MTA isn't enamored with either idea. It is focusing more on short-term solutions to make the existing bridge spans more driver-friendly.

Last week, the MTA increased Eastern Shore commuter bus service. They also believe changes in driver habits, like increased E-ZPass usage, could ease traffic flow along the bridge.

That's right, let's focus on fixing what's already broken in the short term, and try to punt on anything that could really make a lasting impact in the long run.

A privatized third span of course would be wildly popular, and would easily allow a private contractor to make their money back in a relatively reasonable fashion. A privatized ferry system could work if it is done correctly and made attractive to commuters. I have used the ferry system in Washington State, and it is very user friendly, very efficient, and while not entirely cheap, it saves a boatload of time that would otherwise be spent on roads. A car and passenger ferry that docked in downtown Baltimore, for example, may even remove cars from Baltimore streets if it allows workers the possibility of walking or biking to work from the ferry port, something done extensively by Ferry Commuters in Washington State.

Something is needed to relieve the stress on the current Bay Bridge spans. Public safety demands the issue. Government cannot afford to build them on its own, nor can government allow Luddites to complicate the matter. We need to allow the private sector to undertake these projects....