Project Overview
Overview:
The Section 200 planning team has developed and evaluated alternates to address safety and capacity needs along I-95 from north of MD 43 to north of MD 22. Section 200 is one of four independent project-planning studies identified in the I-95 Master Plan Study, which assessed I-95 transportation needs from the I-895(N) split to the Maryland/Delaware state line. A number of ongoing or recently completed studies have focused on transportation improvements and enhancements that would be developed within or around the study area. The Section 200 Project Planning Study will continue to coordinate with these transportation initiatives to determine what effect they will have on capacity and safety issues in the corridor. Related Transportation Projects
Background:
This Section 200 portion of I-95 was opened with two lanes in each direction in 1964. In 1972, I-95 was widened to three lanes in each direction from MD 43 (south of the study area) to MD 24. During the 1972 construction, the I-95 bridge over the Gunpowder River was widened to four lanes in each direction; however, only three lanes in each direction were opened to traffic. In 1973, the third lane was continued from north of Winter's Run to the Susquehanna River Bridge (north of the study area). In 1994, a fourth lane in each direction was opened to traffic from MD 43 to MD 24.
The interchanges at MD 24 and MD 22 were included in the original construction. Interchanges were added at MD 152 in 1973 and at MD 543 in 1989. The MD 152 interchange was modified in 1994 when I-95 was widened to four lanes.
Park and Ride Study:
The I-95 Section 200 Project Planning Study has been investigating the capacity and safety needs for 16 miles of I-95 (north of MD 43 to north of MD 22). Improvements to I-95 would impact the existing MD 152 Park & Ride facility and require removal of Old Mountain Road Bridge. Therefore, the Maryland Transportation Authority needed to look for a new location that would accommodate existing users and add transit accessibility for MTA buses.
The project team conducted a Needs Analysis of the Park & Ride facilities serving I-95 in Baltimore & Harford Counties to evaluate existing conditions & usage trends. In addition, an Origin / Destination Analysis determined where existing Park & Ride users were coming from and going to. Based on these analyses, a total of 7 potential sites were investigated for the new MD 152 Park & Ride facility. Once these 7 sites were determined, key cultural, natural and environmental resources were investigated for each of the potential Park & Ride sites. In addition, the project team met with the leaders of the Joppa-Magnolia Fire Company to ensure they would have a safe and efficient access to MD 152 while maintaining access to MD 7 using Old Mountain Road.
On May 20, 2008, the project team held a Park & Ride Update Meeting at the Joppa-Magnolia Fire Hall. Approximately 100 people attended the Park & Ride Update Meeting. The project team shared with the public the extensive process, evaluation, and other sites considered in selecting the MDTA Preferred MD 152 Park & Ride option. Throughout the planning and investigation process, the team goal has been to provide the greatest benefit to carpoolers and transit users while creating the least amount of impact to the surrounding communities and the environment.
