Route 301 makeover?

[Claff]

Got a flier in the mail about a new study to figure out how they're going to "fix" 301 from where it merges with 5 in P.G. to La Plata.

From what I can tell, it's beyond fixing. Already got as many lanes as is practical, no run-off area, too many traffic lights and driveways (and this is before the new town center goes where the Stardust(?) was) and U-turns so there's always slowing down and stopping and speeding up and let's not forget the frequent games of chicken.

Ever try to cross it on foot? You're taking your life into your own hands.

There's two ways to fix it and they're both way too drastic to actually happen: either build bridges over major intersections with on- and off-ramps like 5 does as it approaches the Beltway, or bypass the whole farkin thing like they're doing in Hughesville.

One's too drastic to attempt, and the other's stopped before it's started because of the amazing amount of real estate required to map a route that won't go too far out of the way.

But I'm curious, how would you fix it?

 

[Nupe2]

I'd fix it by taking complainers to either Rte. 7 or Rte. 50 in Virginia or Rockville Pike. After taking rides on either, I think they'd stop #####n! I think Rte. 5 would be improved by putting an overpass at Brandywine Road and another at Surratts Road.

I think you're right though about the alternatives. One alternative would be to construct a Metro station in Waldorf. I know that would be disruptive for a while but would ultimately reduce at least some of the traffic that heads to and from the District during the week.

 

[dls811]

You fix it by making a interstate from I97 down to the harry nice bridge.

I know that statement will stir some people....

 

[Mikeinsmd]

The section you mentioned really isn't the problem. The problem is in PG where rte. 5 narrows to 2 lanes. What genious decided to overlook widening that to 3 lanes??

There's room for more lanes on 301. Plenty of median strip in the middle. Not only that, they added too many lights at little feeder roads.

Another idea is to duplicate what they did up on Wisconsin & Connecticut Ave's. Use 3 lanes inbound during rush hours (install the X lights).

And if you laugh at my ideas, do what Nupe suggested & come up where we work, learn what real traffic is.

 

[StarCat]

I didnt notice 301 being too terribly bad until they added the two lights right before Cedarville Rd. They hold up traffic and there is rarely anyone even coming from the two side streets. From my house to Cedarville Rd is usually a PITA. It should take 5 minutes, sometimes it takes 20 or more. I only live 4 miles from there. Once you pass Cedarville Rd, no more traffic lol.

 

[Railroad]

Got a flier in the mail about a new study to figure out how they're going to "fix" 301 from where it merges with 5 in P.G. to La Plata.

From what I can tell, it's beyond fixing. Already got as many lanes as is practical, no run-off area, too many traffic lights and driveways (and this is before the new town center goes where the Stardust(?) was) and U-turns so there's always slowing down and stopping and speeding up and let's not forget the frequent games of chicken.

Ever try to cross it on foot? You're taking your life into your own hands.

There's two ways to fix it and they're both way too drastic to actually happen: either build bridges over major intersections with on- and off-ramps like 5 does as it approaches the Beltway, or bypass the whole farkin thing like they're doing in Hughesville.

One's too drastic to attempt, and the other's stopped before it's started because of the amazing amount of real estate required to map a route that won't go too far out of the way.

But I'm curious, how would you fix it?

Regardless of the plan involved, route 301 can't be fixed fast enough to make a difference before it's overtaken again by growth in traffic. A 301 remodeling would employ some folks for their entire careers - 20 years plus - and probably some of their children. It would be a huge cash cow for union workers and a huge drain on state funds. Those of us who watched the Interstate 270 development go on for decades (in a less tolerant working atmosphere) know what I'm talking about.

My vote? I wouldn't "fix" it. I'd levy stiffer penalties on people who drive like idiots, but I wouldn't "fix" the road.

I DO like the Metro idea, very much. I think it would operate at capacity and maybe increase demand for more trains. (What a shocker, Railroad backs more trains! ) The Branch Avenue station doesn't have enough real estate to handle all the commuters' cars, and the neighborhood there puts anyone's car in danger of theft or vandalism. And the obvious - personal safety very late and very early.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

Regardless of the plan involved, route 301 can't be fixed fast enough to make a difference before it's overtaken again by growth in traffic. A 301 remodeling would employ some folks for their entire careers - 20 years plus - and probably some of their children. It would be a huge cash cow for union workers and a huge drain on state funds. Those of us who watched the Interstate 270 development go on for decades (in a less tolerant working atmosphere) know what I'm talking about.

My vote? I wouldn't "fix" it. I'd levy stiffer penalties on people who drive like idiots, but I wouldn't "fix" the road.

There's not enough cops to ticket the all of the "idiots"

In all seriousness, from someone who's driven this cooridor for 20+ years, the problem is the lights at roads with little to no traffic (like SC mentioned) and the 2 lanes from Brandywine to Clinton. The rest is a breeze.

I also wanna meet the Einstein who had the light installed at 301 liquors. That backs crap up for miles. Liquor store on one side, fields on the other...

 

[Railroad]

There's not enough cops to ticket the all of the "idiots"

In all seriousness, from someone who's driven this cooridor for 20+ years, the problem is the lights at roads with little to no traffic (like SC mentioned) and the 2 lanes from Brandywine to Clinton. The rest is a breeze.

I also wanna meet the Einstein who had the light installed at 301 liquors. That backs crap up for miles. Liquor store on one side, fields on the other...

I only occasionally go up that way - ALWAYS under duress - I'm just the occasional (horrified) user. I understand what you mean about not enough cops for all the idiots - even if you put all 3 shifts on the side of the road at once, there wouldn't be enough, I'm sure.

As for lights at stupid locations, I'd guess that idiot drivers pulling out in front of oncoming traffic led to those.

 

[StarCat]

There's not enough cops to ticket the all of the "idiots"

In all seriousness, from someone who's driven this cooridor for 20+ years, the problem is the lights at roads with little to no traffic (like SC mentioned) and the 2 lanes from Brandywine to Clinton. The rest is a breeze.

I also wanna meet the Einstein who had the light installed at 301 liquors. That backs crap up for miles. Liquor store on one side, fields on the other...

Thats one of the lights I was talking about, its the worst one. IF they needed a light there, it surely could have waited until they actually built something in the field, besides a road that goes God knows where.

 

[CMC122]

As for lights at stupid locations, I'd guess that idiot drivers pulling out in front of oncoming traffic led to those.

Yep! I ran many, many accidents on those roads when I used to volunteer with the fd.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

Yep! I ran many, many accidents on those roads when I used to volunteer with the fd.

 

[CMC122]

 

[Nupe2]

Would you two get a room!

 

[Ken King]

I DO like the Metro idea, very much. I think it would operate at capacity and maybe increase demand for more trains. (What a shocker, Railroad backs more trains! ) The Branch Avenue station doesn't have enough real estate to handle all the commuters' cars, and the neighborhood there puts anyone's car in danger of theft or vandalism. And the obvious - personal safety very late and very early.

Light rail all the way to La Plata with a spur from Waldorf to Hughesville/Charlotte Hall. Widening the roads is only a temporary fix that delays dealing with the problem. Give an alternative and leave the driving to them.

 

[Pandora]

Light rail all the way to La Plata with a spur from Waldorf to Hughesville/Charlotte Hall. Widening the roads is only a temporary fix that delays dealing with the problem. Give an alternative and leave the driving to them.

Agree.... They've been talking about it for YEARS, so I think that is where the focus should be not the roads AGAIN.

 

[Nupe2]

Light rail all the way to La Plata with a spur from Waldorf to Hughesville/Charlotte Hall. Widening the roads is only a temporary fix that delays dealing with the problem. Give an alternative and leave the driving to them.

Second that Light rail/metro connection would save me over 15k a year in commuting miles. It would also reduce congestion in the 5/301 corridor. Might have the same problem as stated earlier regarding access and land use. Although there would probably be a lot of support, the cost both financial and to homeowners and landowners might be prohibitive. Good idea though.

 

[oldman]

Got a flier in the mail about a new study to figure out how they're going to "fix" 301 from where it merges with 5 in P.G. to La Plata.

From what I can tell, it's beyond fixing. Already got as many lanes as is practical, no run-off area, too many traffic lights and driveways (and this is before the new town center goes where the Stardust(?) was) and U-turns so there's always slowing down and stopping and speeding up and let's not forget the frequent games of chicken.

Ever try to cross it on foot? You're taking your life into your own hands.

There's two ways to fix it and they're both way too drastic to actually happen: either build bridges over major intersections with on- and off-ramps like 5 does as it approaches the Beltway, or bypass the whole farkin thing like they're doing in Hughesville.

One's too drastic to attempt, and the other's stopped before it's started because of the amazing amount of real estate required to map a route that won't go too far out of the way.

But I'm curious, how would you fix it?

I'd like to know just how much has been spend on studies of 301 and how to fix it. I'd be willing to bet that with all the money spent some cure could have been built by now. I know studies have been going on for at least 11 years and have the impression that the county just doesn't want to fix the problem. Thank goodness I live on the outskirts and very seldom have to deal with driving through it.

 

[woogie]

Considering that the rail line to Morgantown and Chalk Point
is being considered for abandonment in the next year, now
would be a great time to write your elected officials and say
that you want it to be preserved and used for commuter rail
to the DC area. The route directly connects with the Bowie
line which goes directly to Union Station in DC.

Once the line is abandoned and torn up, it will be gone for
good. There are already many good stopping points along
the line such as Waldorf, LaPlata and Brandywine. The line
to Chalk Point serves the other side of Charles County and
also lower PG County. There is a place for a connection to
the old right-of-way that went into St. Mary's County and
could be revitalized with very little property-taking at this
point. At the very least it could be extended into Hughesville.

 

[Aa3rt]

Considering that the rail line to Morgantown and Chalk Point
is being considered for abandonment in the next year, now
would be a great time to write your elected officials and say
that you want it to be preserved and used for commuter rail
to the DC area. The route directly connects with the Bowie
line which goes directly to Union Station in DC.

Good point! I recall that way back in 1980 or 1981, an article appeared in both the Maryland Independent and the now defunct La Plata Times-Crescent announcing "The Southern Maryland Railroad" that was to carry commuters on this line.

While I am unsure if the tracks are currently up to passenger train standards, surely some of those millions being used to turn the Rte 301/5 corridor into the world's largest parking lot could be diverted into upgrading tracks, and constructing the attendant commuter parking lots and shelters.

What officials do you recommend contacting?

However, I don't believe the line will be up for abandonment in the VERY near future. Mirant is planning on building a coal pier at Morgantown to receive shipments of low-sulfur coal from South America. If approved, the pier won't even be started until this fall. CSX (the railroad currently operating the line) claims that it would be uneconomical for them to maintain the line. There are some other shippers that receive freight in Waldorf (Chopp Lumber), 84 Lumber in White Plains and a gravel pit north of La Plata that receives a thrice-weekly gravel train. In recent years, CSX has sold off a number of branchlines to short line operators. This scenario, combined with commuter rail, would hopefully ensure continued operation of the line.

For a history and photos of the Pope's Creek subdivision, check out:

Pope's Creek Subdivision

 

[woogie]

Hi Art:

You know me I see you used some of my stats in your
post. Also I showed you the prospectus from 1980 regarding the
commuter operations proposed then. I would recommend writing
to the State Comptroller as W.D. Schaffer has some interest in
these kinds of projects. He could be a big help in getting MARC
involved should CSX formally announce/file for abandonment. I
would also recommend that everyone contact their respective
county governments as well. There could be more economic
gains than just gas savings. New small businesses located near
stations would see an increase in sales of convenience items
bought by commuters (similar business patterns have developed
around METRO stations), restaurants would be better patronized,
and even pay-for-parking facilities. This would be a win-win for
all concerned.

This message should go out to everyone on the forum. Think of
not having to go nuts in traffic, but instead ride in comfort to
the DC-Metro area, work, shop, whatever and then ride back home
for less than the cost of gas, plus not having to rack up mileage
and wear-and-tear on your vehicle.