June 17–If trucks stop getting wedged under the CSX bridge over Md. 75 in Monrovia, then the group that met Thursday at Costco’s nearby warehouse will have met their goal.
Delegate
Kathy Afzali, R-District 4, called a meeting of the people she considered capable of addressing the traffic hazard that generates weekly calls to her office, she said.
“Clearly, it’s a matter that’s been plaguing this area,” she said.
Based on commitments from state highway officials, county planners and Costco representatives at the table Thursday, Afzali set a target date of next spring for construction to start on the optimal solution: paved areas big enough for large trucks and trailers to turn around.
In the past six years, since Costco opened its warehouse on Intercoastal Drive in Monrovia, dozens of independent truckers, not all heading to Costco, have mistakenly tried to drive a too-tall truck under the CSX bridge, which has a clearance of about 12 feet 6 inches. Despite warning signs along the road about the low clearance, drivers have proceeded, some relying on satellite coordinate data that direct them to take Md. 75.
They pass by warning signs and under hanging devices that indicate when a truck is too tall to get through.
“We can’t fix stupid,” said
Ron Burns, Frederick County traffic engineer.
Both northbound and southbound truckers have made the mistake.
Louis Campion, president of the Maryland Motor Truck Association Inc., said no one one who makes the mistake makes it more than once. Major fleets have notified their regular drivers, but that leaves potentially millions of independent drivers who may make the trip unaware, Campion said.
At best, a driver on Md. 75 realizes the impossibility of getting under the bridge in time to stop, and that requires a complicated combination of backing up and/or getting towed backward to a place the truck can get turned around. At worst, a driver learns of the impossibility when the crunch of metal stops a truck like a cork shoved into a wine bottle.
In all cases — some that are documented and others not — traffic comes to a standstill while the truck gets out of the predicament.
Residents complain frequently to Afzali.
“It is very disruptive,” said
Steve McKay of Monrovia.
McKay is president of a local advocacy group, Residents Against Landsdale Expansion. He and
Brent Simmons attended Thursday to share concerns they say neighbors have. Simmons said the community may not want a turnaround.
Afzali advised officials to work with McKay and Simmons.
McKay said the State Highway Administration’s immediate plan for new signs and warnings do not prevent hazardous situations. In addition to signs, Afzali and Campion suggested that highway officials consider traffic calming measures.
Campion agreed to notify the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association to spread the word.
Costco representatives balked at the suggestion that the company is responsible for buying right of way for the turnarounds.
“That was never part of the agreement,” said
Erich Brann Jr., Costco’s director of real estate development.
Costco keeps getting tasked to do or pay more, Brann said.
The company has responded generously, Burns said: Costco has paid to design the turnarounds and put $150,000 in escrow for road improvements. The assembled group discussed whether the money in escrow might cover the cost of right of way, and if it is insufficient, possibly the state or county could contribute.
If the state has to buy the land or build the turnaround, the process will take longer and cost more, Burns said.
Afzali got agreements from the group that Costco would explore getting the right of way, turnaround design work would continue, and Afzali would share updates with and from the group in about two months.
“Our overall goal is to break ground on a turnaround in the spring,” Afzali said.
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