Comments on Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 Due Tuesday
Anyone wishing to comment on the transit, bicycle and pedestrian considerations for the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 has until midnight Tuesday to submit them to the Maryland transportation Authority. The Tier 2 Study focuses on the 2-mile-wide corridor containing the existing Bay Bridge (also known as Corridor 7). The Tier 2 study will analyze buses, ferries and transportation system and demand management and how they may be used in conjunction with other alternatives.
Additional information on the Tier 2 Study: Those wishing to provide comments may:
- submit an electronic survey/comment form at baycrossingstudy.com,
- email comments to info@baycrossingstudy.com, or
- print and mail a completed survey/comment form to: 聽聽聽聽
Bay Crossing Study
2310 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
Visit the study website at聽www.baycrossingstudy.com聽to take the transit and bicycle/pedestrian surveys, to learn more about the Tier 2 Study, or to provide a comment on transit and mobility. If you are unable to access the meeting materials online, or if you require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or require language translation services (free of charge), please contact the agency鈥檚 Title VI Officer at聽mdtaeeo@mdta.maryland.gov聽or at 410-537-6720.
The Tier 2 Study is focusing on the 2-mile-wide corridor containing the existing Bay Bridge, also known as Corridor 7. This corridor, which extends for approximately 22 miles from the Severn River bridge to the US 50/US 301 split, was approved in the Tier 1 Study as the Selected Corridor Alternative by the Federal Highway Administration in its Record of Decision.
Modal and operational alternatives, including ferry service, rail, bus and transportation system management/transportation demand management were evaluated as part of Tier 1 and were found to not meet the Tier 1 purpose and need as standalone options. The Tier 2 study will analyze buses, ferries and transportation system and demand management, and how they may be used in conjunction with other alternatives.
The Maryland Transportation Authority, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, is following a two-tiered NEPA process for the Bay Crossing Study. The Tier 2 Study will build upon the Tier 1 findings to:
- refine the Purpose and Need to focus on Corridor 7;
- evaluate a No Build alternative and a range of build alternatives, including various alignments, crossing types and modal and operational alternatives (e.g., transit, etc.);
- evaluate traffic, engineering and environmental impacts;
- provide additional public involvement and comment opportunities;
- identify a Selected Alternative; and
- identify mitigation measures for unavoidable environmental impacts.
In addition to the June 27 listening session, the Maryland Transportation Authority will host open houses in September to update the public on study activities. More details will be available at www.baycrossingstudy.com.