tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974845.post1706098195977402519..comments2024-03-28T03:16:23.997-04:00Comments on Baltimore InnerSpace: Port Covington could be even bigger than it's hypeGerald Neilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03765375014163120449noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974845.post-55075400179908343662018-04-16T14:21:38.584-04:002018-04-16T14:21:38.584-04:00That's a great idea! I'm not a fisherman s...That's a great idea! I'm not a fisherman so I'm very happy to hear it's "superb" for that, and it would go hand in hand with the light rail line from Port Covington to Brooklyn that I've proposed - https://baltimoreinnerspace.blogspot.com/2016/09/big-port-covington-needs-even-bigger.html<br /><br />The city is supposed to release it's long-range draft alternatives analysis soon, so that should spark the debate. The deck repaving plan recently released is just a short-term band-aid. I question why we would sink money into a bridge right before doing a long range fix? It seems to be politically motivated. Why is the City Council pushing fixing the potholes instead of a long range vision? Fixing potholes come under "pavement management", a precise process conducted by engineers who look at allocating priorities all over the city. Or did the city's engineers just screw up by neglecting the bridge? (That wouldn't be the first time.) <br /><br />Of course, as usual, it will all come down to money. A new bridge for heavy truck and car traffic would reportedly be very expensive, even if it's only a mundane utilitarian structure. The Middle Branch is shallow and lacks the boat traffic to warrant a long-span suspension bridge. But then, if the new bridge is ugly, that's an even better reason to keep the existing cool looking bridge for bikes, fishers, light rail and people.Gerald Neilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03765375014163120449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974845.post-32548270623362491812018-04-16T10:47:17.122-04:002018-04-16T10:47:17.122-04:00I have always seen the Hanover Street Bridge as a ...I have always seen the Hanover Street Bridge as a pedestrian fishing bridge that truly connects the prominade and Gwenn Falls Trails to Cherry Hill Park. Who knows maybe even an airport trail connection in the future. <br />I think we definitely need to improve the 95 south exit to route 2 for the enormous amount of truck traffic. The solution is to build a new lighted suspension bridge. Plank should support this. <br />A few other cities have repurposed their historic old bridges in this manner. These bridges are becoming destinations in themselves. I am certain that Hanover Bridge would be no exception. The fishing is superb in Middle Branch. The bridge is low and perfectly situated for premium fishing. And the much needed connection to Westport and Hanover Street Park. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16138364322400336375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974845.post-89646004756725090402018-04-16T10:37:32.554-04:002018-04-16T10:37:32.554-04:00West light rail along road at 40 and road to no wh...West light rail along road at 40 and road to no where, should culminate at State Center. The Metro Subway and Light Rail lines already go to Lexington Market from State Center. The cost of building another tunnel to Lexington Market would be exorbitant -and redundant. That fact that State Center is the only place where the two lines convege, other than Charles Center, make it a potential hub. <br />The for State Center to become the West Side transportation hub for bus, train and light rail is enormous and I'm not sure why it's being overlooked by planners. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16138364322400336375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974845.post-44865456833180061272016-02-17T19:02:54.404-05:002016-02-17T19:02:54.404-05:00I'D NEVER THOUGHT ID SAY THIS BUT HAVING THE P...I'D NEVER THOUGHT ID SAY THIS BUT HAVING THE PORT COVINGTON WALMART MOVE REALLY HURT THE COMMUNITYAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08704038344552725801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974845.post-78797427192103014392016-01-15T21:05:38.806-05:002016-01-15T21:05:38.806-05:00Small point: My name is Gerald, not George. Back i...Small point: My name is Gerald, not George. Back in the 1990s, the MTA's plan was indeed to complete the light rail loop from Penn Station down the Jones Falls to Pratt Street, just as you said. Later they decided that wasn't a good idea because it would be way too slow, and people like to travel in straight lines, not loops. I agree.<br /><br />Chicago's loop is much smaller, quicker, totally elevated and has a very high trip density, so it works much better.<br /><br />The MTA has never really figured out what to do with that little spur to Penn Station. Right now, they make only one run per half-hour between there and Camden Yards, which is hardly worth the trouble. I was still at the City Planning Dept. back in the early '90s when it was planned, and I argued then that it wasn't worth building it. Instead, just create a very good pedestrian connection from the Mt. Royal Station which all trains use. I lost. <br /><br />You can read more about the history at my post:<br />http://baltimoreinnerspace.blogspot.com/2015/08/governor-mandels-rail-transit-legacy.htmlGerald Neilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03765375014163120449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974845.post-16568156002076892012016-01-15T12:10:23.415-05:002016-01-15T12:10:23.415-05:00George... I enjoy reading your articles on transit...George... I enjoy reading your articles on transit and development in the City. In your transit map you show modifications to the Central Light Rail Line. I am curious on you take on finishing the spur into Penn Station? There is a south bound spur and infrastructure for a north bound spur which would allow trains to run north from Penn Station to Hunt Valley while funneling more DC Bound Baltimore Residents to Penn Station. Incidentally, that line could almost be extended through Penn Station and south under I-83 to Harbor East/President Street with several (under highway) stops to serve the eastern side of the CBD along with another transfer to the Metro Subway at Shot Tower. It could loop over to the Fallsway @ Fayette and continue down President St to Harbor East. If we wanted to get really creative it could also travel west on Pratt or Lombard and connect back with the Central Light Rail Line on Howard and have the downtown completed encircled and we would have our own "Loop" Like Chicago...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974845.post-86109540689351014722016-01-14T17:33:17.189-05:002016-01-14T17:33:17.189-05:00All this sounds wonderful and represents great pro...All this sounds wonderful and represents great progress. With regard to the Light Rail connection, why not take this opportunity to connect federal Hill to the system? Swinging the Light Rail line to the east just past Camden Yards with a connection to Federal Hill along either Hamburg Street or Ostend Street and then turning south along Race Street to the proposed Port Covington development could add additional connections and ridership to the system while avoiding the expense of the crossing across the Middle Branch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com