OceanPines Forum Article - Route 50 Danger

articles

Route 50/WalMart Intersection
A Discussion in OceanPinesForum.com
This is a perfect example of value of a public forum
and of articulate exchange between forum members. 7/15/2004 1:19:57 PM

Section 18: County Issues Msg# 126506
Subject: Traffic from Home Depot
From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: All

There will be a major accident on Route 50 from Home Depot/WalMart to the 589 turnoff. You can bet on it. I know the county is "working on it" but things are so bad that immediate attention is required.

Does anyone know what/when something is going to be done?

From: JoeReynolds
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Hi Bill. Great question.

Indeed, the chances of people being badly injured or even killed at that intersection are extremely high.

I attended the public hearing on the proposed service road and don't recall the Commissioners addressing this immediate issue.

The sad thing is that this current state of extreme danger could be dramatically reduced by simply placing a traffic light on Route 50 west bound. Someone could die only because whatever "powers that be" don't want to slow down folks leaving Ocean City.

Whether there are any plans to add a light at the location is something I don't know. But it should be installed yesterday.

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JoeReynolds (Read)

Joe, Today (10:30 am) coming out of Home Depot was terrible. Folks just could not get over to the right side of Rt 50 to turn right onto 589.

A four-way light is necessary right now. I think we should alert the Commissioners on the urgency. (They should know already.)

From: JoeReynolds
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Just click on the liink below and you will get a page that has linked email addresses to each of the Commissioners. Post an email to any one or all. I've been trying to get Judy Boggs to participate here, but no luck as yet.

PS - I just sent Judy a copy of our exchange and asked if she can provide some insight.

From: JimAdcock Joined 7/2/2004 7:51:02 AM
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Bill

I couldn't agree more. In addition to contacting the County Commissioners, Corporate Wal-Mart and Home Depot should be made aware of the dangers their customers face attepting to get home. They may be more effective in convincing the state to take action. I also think this is an excellent topic for an editorial cartoon - look for it soon.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Jeanette won't make that left turn, after a near miss. She takes a right, goes down to the next light and makes U-Turn. Probably a good idea for everyone until the situation is resolved by a light on 50 West.

From: FritzJohnson Joined 6/2/2004 10:28:36 AM
To: JoeReynolds (Read) -

The only problem with going east to Holly Grove Rd and making the U-turn to come back to 589 is that the U-turn is at Holly Grove rd. which is the main entrance into the Riddle Farm development . Until recently the entrance into Riddle Farm was via the parallel road to Rt 50;however Holly Grove Rd into Riddle Farm is now open and that will become a very busy intersection as they really get into the building phase in that sub-division and I don't beleive there is a light at that intersection.

From: JoeReynolds
To: FritzJohnson (Read) Joined 6/2/2004 10:28:36 AM
Correct. That's why I said she goes east to the next light.

Of course going east on a busy weekend might put you back in Ocean Pines sometime Monday.

From: JoeSchanno Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM
To: JoeReynolds (Read)

I agree with all of the comments. The intersection is a fine product of idiot design. I suspect the auther of this mess has long vanished or at least wants to. There have already been many accidents at the location and there will be many more. The solution is an acess road with a four way light. In this case the county should withhold all further permits along that section of Route 50, including giant and Riddle Farm until the owners of the property come up with the access road and pay for it. We don't need to hear any more that it is not the developer's responsibility. I have no objectiion to having 50 and 589 as the four way intersection.

From: JackB Joined 5/12/2004 12:09:32 PM
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

There is a second reason to have an access road to 589 & 50. The problem comes in when approaching the 589/50 intersection returning from Wal Mart. The gas station on the right has an entrance first then an exit beyond that. If one pulls into the right lane too soon and prior to the station entrance, often necessary when one sees other cars in their rear view mirror moving to the right, a dangerous situation is created. Cars exiting the station, usually tourists not familiar with the intersection, see your turn signal and assume you will be pulling into the gas station entrance. They often will quickly pull out not realizing your turn signal was for 589, not the station entrance. If you wait to clear the entrance before moving to the right you can be sure there will be a car alongside and you may be heading to Berlin like it or not. I have seen this more than once. Getting from Wal Mart to 589 has become one of the more exciting rides in town. Perhaps we could interest the Go cart tracks in selling tickets to this exciting ride!

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JackB (Read) Joined 5/12/2004 12:09:32 PM
Thanks for your input. Perhaps we can generate some interest in this problem in our county government. I intend to try.

From: JoeReynolds
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Bill, the county can put some pressure on the state, but the highway is a state highway and only the state can actually do anything - as far as I know.

I'm going to call the Governor's office and see if I can get anyone there to look into getting the state highway department to place a light on westbound 50 asap, unless there is some reason it would cause more of a problem. I can't imagine it would, other than slowing down traffic heading west.

What a pity if someone dies for lack of a traffic light. Whatever the solution, it can't wait for that service road to be constructed. Could be a year or more.

From: JoeReynolds
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Bill, below is a copy of an email I sent:

Dear Governor Ehrlich and Senator Stoltzfus,

I am writing to advise you of an extremely dangerous traffic problem on U.S. Route 50 at the exit from the WalMart, just west of Ocean City. It is of particular concern to the people of Ocean Pines.

Worcester County is currently in the planning stages of a service road that should solve the problem, but that could take a year or more. Meantime there needs to be an immediate solution; people may die or be severely injured if there isn't.

Motorists leaving WalMart and turning left on to Route 50 West, especially those returning to Ocean Pines, are most at risk. Drivers returning to Ocean Pines must merge into often heavy, high speed traffic leaving Ocean City, then make their way across the highway very quickly in order to turn right at Maryland Route 589 . There is no traffic light on Route 50 West at the WalMart location.

Ocean Pines residents would be most grateful if you would look into this matter. Government departments tend to move slowly, but the installation of a light for westbound traffic on Route 50 should not be a major project and might very well save lives. Perhaps there are alternatives to a traffic light, but something needs to be done immediately.

The people of Ocean Pines, and others using the WalMart entrance, need your assistance in this matter.

Regards,

Joe Reynolds
Ocean Pines, MD

Subject: Traffic from Home Depot
From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JoeReynolds (Read)

Joe, Great letter. I am not up to speed on how we get action on our road system. I am aware of the SHA and understand that that agency is the one to eventually take action. I'll bet if we can get our Commissioners to feel the urgency, something will happen sooner than later. Unfortunately, I have little faith in these people. (Perhaps I expect too much of them.) We just can't wait for a year for the fix.

Anyway, we have begun. I'll send something out to Tom and Judy soon.

From: JimAdcock Joined 7/2/2004 7:51:02 AM
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Joe That is a good letter, but perhaps you should not have stressed the danger to Ocean Pines residents. It seems to me that the unwritten policy of the state is that Ocean Pines residents are expendable. Tourists, on the other hand, should be protected at all costs. Perhaps we would get more action if they thought a tourist may be injured or killed on the way home from vacation.

From: JoeSchanno Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

I replied to this thread but somehow my relply did not become a part of the thread. Please, no one go thinking that Joe Reynolds cut my mail. Not the case at all. I screwed up.

At any rate.

I agree with all of the comments. The intersection is a fine product of idiot design. I suspect the auther of this mess has long vanished or at least wants to. There have already been many accidents at the location and there will be many more. The solution is an acess road with a four way light. In this case the county should withhold all further permits along that section of Route 50, east and west of 589 for a mile or so, including Giant and Riddle Farm until the owners of the property come up with the access road and pay for it. We don't need to hear any more that it is not the developer's responsibility. Without out theri development we would not be suffering any problem. I have no objectiion to having 50 and 589 as the four way intersection.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: JoeSchanno (Read) Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM

I just spoke with Donni Drewer, head of the SHA District Office in Salisbury. He was most cooperative and well aware of the issue.

He said that he had given Judy Boggs his card at the recent public hearing on the service road and offered to come to an OPA meeting and discuss this issue. The board mentioned this at the last work session. However, Drewer said he has heard nothing from the OPA Board about his offer.

Drewer said the Giant Food project, independent of the proposed service road, will result in another exit from the shopping area. The Walmart exit would be closed to left turns and exiting there would be only eastbound. The new Giant exit would be for left turns onto Route 50 west and there would be a four-way traffic light on Route 50 at that location. This would apparently solve the major problems, but is still some time in the future, perhaps a year or more.

Drewer said installing a light on westbound 50 at the current WalMart location was not likely to happen without additional traffic studies. He indicated one option would be to force all traffic leaving the current WalMart exit to go eastbound, prohibit left turns at unlighted crossovers, thus forcing motorists to go to the next traffic light and make U-Turn on a green arrow.

Even assuming this would be the safer than the current situation, he believes there would be a great outcry about the inconvenience of forcing traffic eastbound.

PS - it appeared to me your message was posted in the proper discussion. Anyway, even if it wasn't, don't sweat the small stuff.

From: JoeSchanno Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM
To: JoeReynolds (Read) -

I think the U-turn option is about as foolish as the current condition. It may be O.K. when one or two cars exercise that option. We could sell tickets to watch a full lines of traffic on Saturday mornings trying to do the same thing.

In the near future we will lots of automobiles exiting Riddle Farm east and west onto 50, adding to the mixing bowl.

If I understand you right, there will be two access points between 589 and Holly Grove Road, one being a four way light. Why? Holly Grove Road will then have a light for Riddle Farm. Sounds like Rt 40 or Rockville Pike east.

Turning 589 and 50 into a four way light serving all of the commerical development and doing the same with Holly Grove Road for Riddle Farm appears to solve problems.

Its real simple - tell Giant and the rest to build the serve road or forget the development.

From: JoeSchanno Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM
To: JoeReynolds (Read) -

A second solution is to turn the current Walmart exit into a four way stop light intersectionto serve the commerical development and Riddle Farm, leaving Holly Grove Road alone. There used to be a service road that was done away with. Bring it back.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: JoeSchanno (Read) Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM

I suggested a 4-way light at the present exit, in my emails, on this forum, and to Drewer. Would not be done without extensive new traffic data to justify.

The key word in getting anything accomplished here is bureaucracy.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: JoeSchanno (Read) Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM

You have no disagreement from me. However, I suspect the new exit from Giant will only be temporary until the service road is completed. That is also when the light goes up at Holly Grove and the 4-way intersection at 589 is opened. That's the long term solution. What Bill and others would like to see is an immediate solution to an immediate problem.

As for the U-Turn as a temporary option, better delayed than dead.

Planning and Zoning is an oxymoron.

From: JoeSchanno Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM
To: JoeReynolds (Read) -

Drewer could create a short term solution in short order by announcing the same and making the existing light at Walmart a four way light. We don't have to have a long range study to do this. It can't take that long to place a light on the west bound side. Try it and see if it works. If it dones not work tear it out. It can not be worse than the existing system.

At least looking at the result will help determine what would be the best long term solution.

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JoeSchanno (Read) Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM

Hi Joe,

I did see your response. Thanks. I'm not sure if it's a developer problem. Don't really care. I just believe that "government" needs to do something about it - and do it fast. My bet is that there will be a serious injury soon. A shame because this can be avoided. Cost should not be a factor.

I sent an email to Tom C. and Judy B. this morning. Tom replied that he will update me on the status of the traffic plan upon his return from out of town. I'll pass this on. I am doing this outside the OP Forum but will use the forum if I have to.

We should accept no answer that provides no fix in the very near term.

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JimAdcock (Read) Joined 7/2/2004 7:51:02 AM

Hi Jim, I attempted to avoid the obvious in my email to Tom and Judy. Tom responded that he will update me on the traffic status upon his return from a trip. We'll see what he has to say.

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JimAdcock (Read) Joined 7/2/2004 7:51:02 AM

Hi Jim, I attempted to avoid the obvious in my email to Tom and Judy. Tom responded that he will update me on the traffic status upon his return from a trip. We'll see what he has to say.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Tom can do little more than contact the state and provide the same info I posted here from Donni Drewer in regard to a traffic plan. There are NO plans to do anything there until the Giant work is commenced. That temporary solution until the service road is constructed is probably a year away.

My impression after speaking with Drewer is the chances of a 4-way light going up at the current WalMart exit are slim to none unless a direct order came down from the Governor's office. That might not even do it.

The County can do nothing but pressure the state. Currently the county has done nothing, to my knowledge, to push for an immediate solution to the immediate problem you brought up. The county is relying on the service road and the Giant exit as the solution. Meantime, as you point out, the location is very dangerous NOW.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: JoeSchanno (Read) Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM

I don't believe Drewer has authority to pop up a light on his own initiative. If a light is to be implemented asap, the order will probably need to come from the Governor's office.

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JoeReynolds (Read) -

Hi Joe, Thanks for the info. I do not agree with you on "that Tom can do little more than contact the state" about this situation. It may be a state highway, but this is a county issue if there ever was one. I believe the role of the commissioners is to do something about problems. They can make this a big deal and force the issue. That's what we elected them to do for us. I am aware that they have lots of big deals on their plates. If they don't want to take this on, then they need to tell us that they are unable or unwilling to get action on this important issue. Then, we can do our own thing.

I'm reluctant to use this web site in mailing things to Tom or Judy. I sent them a separate email. Tom responded that he is out of town and will update me on the status of the traffic pattern upon his return. If you send me your email adress I'll copy you on my emails to Tom and Judy.

I believe we can get something done on this issue. We can involve the press (your buddy Tom S. and the TV folks) and others willing to step in.

From: JoeSchanno Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Please don't cast me in a bad light to developers. I generally am not opposed to their work but do believe that when their activities result in a major change of use in a area or along a highway (farm to big box retail is a major change) they should bear the cost of modifications necessary to accomidate the new use of the property. This would include road safety and the like.

Someone needs to ask Donnie Drewer directly if he has the authority to add a westbound light at Walmart. If not, who does? I can't believe that the Govenor has to approve the installation of every stop light on a State Highway.

What we have is a ready and apparent safety issue that should not have to wait for the agencies and other players to play the CYA game and then march in line. Drewer is the head of the local Highway Administration. He sould be going to bat with Annapolis for a simple tempory solution pending final buildout.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

My fault. I probably didn't communicate what I meant. I agree the County Commissioners can indeed have great influence with the state. My only point in regard to Tom Cetola was about obtaining information on what is actually happening. If Donni Drewer is correct, nothing is happening in regard to some immediate, near term fix.

In other words, Tom will find out nothing is happening except what we already know in regard to the Giant entrance and a new service road, both perhaps a year or more away.

What the Commissioners can or will do to obtain an immediate fix is the question.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: JoeSchanno (Read) Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM

Come on now. You know the governor does not approve every light.

Drewer just told me he does not have the unilateral authority to install a light.

If some sort of an emergency situation were declared, and all the materials were available, a light could potentially be up in a week or so. Given the lack of current traffic data, and apparently no great number of accidents at the location, the chances of a quick fix are not promising unless someone at the upper level of state government, probably only the Governor, intervenes.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: JoeSchanno (Read) Joined 5/6/2004 2:08:07 PM

Developers did bear the cost of what we now have. However, the proper design and implementation of needed improvements is based on design factors and *estimated* traffic counts prior to the beginning of construction.

In the case of Route 50 at this location the state conducted and/or approved traffic estimates and then designed the Route 50 entrance/exit to meet the anticipated traffic and safety requirements. You can bet the developer paid some nice dollars in the process.

It is unfair to now suggest the developer is responsible for a safety issue at the location. The state approved what was done. The state may have made a mistake in the design, but that is not the fault of the developer.

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JoeReynolds (Read) -

Hi Joe,

Judy emailed me today and said that she discussed the traffic issue with Dan S. before her trip and that Donnie Drewer was expecting a call from Dan. It seems to me that this is a matter that should not necessarily be passed to the OPA board to solve. The commissioners should have more influence than a home owners assn. Regardless, someone must run with it. Jim Adcock's cartoon will get some attention. I've sent Dan an email and responded to Judy. I also suggested to Dan and Judy to look at this web site for some discussion on the issue.

I believe we will get results on this.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Judy emailed me today and said that she discussed the traffic issue with Dan S. Before her trip and that Donnie Drewer was expecting a call from Dan. It seems to me that this is a matter that should not necessarily be passed to the OPA board to solve.

Judy told me the same. However, her suggesting Drewer come to OPA was NOT in reference to an immediate solution to the current problem. Rather it was to explain the long term solutions to OPA. That is certainly what OPA should be informed of.

Judy said she would look into a solution to this immediate problem. Keep in mind that all the political agencies and OPA have been focusing on the long term solutions.

Frankly, no one has even been discussing an immediate solution until you posted your message here. Watch out - people will be calling you a community activist.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

I believe we will get results on this.

I met with OPA General Manager Dave Ferguson today and one issue we discussed was the Route 50/Walmart intersection.

Dave described his only involvement in the issue this way: "I'm only point man for getting Donnie Drewer (state highways) down here to meet with the board."

Given Donnie Drewer's position that his only purpose in meeting with the board would be to review long term solutions (new service road and new exit from the proposed Giant store) to the problem, apparently nothing is in the pipeline regarding the immediate safety concerns of the Ocean Pines community.

At this point I know of no efforts by the OPA Board, the OPA General Manager, or members of the County Commission to pressure state government to implement some immediate or very near-term solution addressing the immediate danger you brought to public attention.

PS - maybe we should ask everyone in the community to mail a copy of Jim Adcock's great Walmart cartoon to the Governor.

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JoeReynolds (Read) -

Joe, Yesterday afternoon Judy Boggs called me to let me know of her interest in this problem and that the OP Association is the place where the pressure will have to come from.

On July 21st, Dan Stachurski sent me an email stating that he has passed action to Dave Fergurson to set up a meeting with Mr. Drewer that will be "open to the public" and that "we will use every available avenue to let folks know about it." He said that "Dave has to carry the load on thisone." Further, the meeting is to address the "immediate critical issue" of a near-term solution and well as the longer term issue of the State's plan for the Route 50 service road. Review of that email indicates that Dan believes that Ocean Pines, as a group, can put as much pressure on the State Highway Admin (Mr. Drewer) as the county commissioners can. Dave Ferguson has that email and can just set up the meeting or do more to meet the intention of putting pressure on the SHA as he chooses. I will send you Dan's email. Perhaps Dave did not read it or isn't interested to the degree that we are.

Yesterday, I also spoke to Gene Cofiell, Mr. Drewer's assistant engineer for trafic at the SHA, who informed me that the meeting may not be able to take place until October. Further, he said that the developer will be required to pay for the new traffic pattern/light and that it may in by "the Fall." Fat chance!

We will watch this closely and do what we have to do to prevent a tragedy.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Joe, Yesterday afternoon Judy Boggs called me to let me know of her interest in this problem and that the OP Association is the place where the pressure will have to come from. .... We will watch this closely and do what we have to do to prevent a tragedy.

Bill, does Judy's comment make sense to you? Why on earth would pressure have to come from OPA on a traffic safety issue on a state owned highway miles from Ocean Pines. OPA may have a political obligation to consider the issue you raised, but the County Commissioners have an even greater responsibility in that regard. Judy should have more than an "interest" in this matter.

Based on what you said, Judy is backing away from this with all possible speed.

Dave Ferguson told me just this morning the immediate problem is a political issue the County should be pressuring the state to take care of. I agree with Ferguson, while also feeling OPA should address it as well.

OK. I just called Drewer's office again. He was out. I spoke with Debbie Wicker, Transportation Engineer. She was most cordial.

Drewer's office received some communication from the Governor's office as a result of my email to the Governor. Drewer's office was asked to respond and that response has been sent to Baltimore for final review. Bureaucracy at work.

Debbie said the letter essentially tells me Drewer will be providing OPA with info at perhaps the October meeting about how the proposed Giant exit will address the problem we are raising. Drewer already told me he does not personally have the authority to place a light at the current exit. He can tell OPA no more than that. So we have Drewer tell OPA in October what he has already said in regard to a quick-fix light.

Gene Cofiell's comments to you about "maybe Fall" are in regard to the Giant exit and your gut feeling of "Fat chance" is exactly on target. Apparently the Giant negotiations are not yet complete. Debbie said "I hate to tell you" but after all the negotiations are complete it can take up to a year for completion of designs, traffic studies, public notices, etc. before work could begin.

Conclusions? We have not moved one inch toward even a serious consideration by the State of Maryland of an immediate short-term solution of a 4-way light at the present exit from Walmart, nor are the County Commissioners or OPA doing anything to pressure the state to do so at this time.

Pressure must be put on the State of Maryland, not Donnie Drewer. Otherwise nothing will happen.

From: BillRakow Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM
To: JoeReynolds (Read) -

Joe, Looks like we see this in the same light. I would think that the commissioners are the ones who should go to the state. Dan and Judy seem to agree that the OPA should be the "movers" on this. Perhaps it is just an agreement between them to do it this way. Afterall, the people in the most danger are "Piners." Politics works in round about ways, you know. Dave Fergurson may be right, but it seems that Dan has tasked him to do it. Who cares whose responsibility this is? Why doesn't Dave just get on board and act?

You know, our leaders do not like us to tell them what or how to do things. They have their our agenda. I found this out when I fought the battle of the Critical Area and the 15-foot setbacks in OP. This is not the place or time to point fingers. We need to get the bureaucrats on our side. What do they really intend to do? Who? When? They need to tell us. I trust Dan. His email was clear to me. Let's give it a few more days for them to sort it out. Then if nothing happens, we can do our thing. The press is looking for a local story that they can jump on.

From: JoeReynolds -
To: BillRakow (Read) Joined 5/20/2004 8:15:25 AM

Bill, you make some excellent points.

It will take political will to influence those at the highest levels of state government. The political will must be expressed from every segment of the community - OPA, the County Commissioners, state representatives, local media, and the people who live here.

Is the effort worthwhile? Should political pressure be applied to the State? Difficult to tell. There might never be a serious accident or death at the location. All we know for certain is that many people in Ocean Pines believe the intersection is extremely dangerous as presently designed.

Uploaded: 7/23/2004