from Jeffrey H. Marks<\/p>\n
Sen Nancy Jacobs, Annapolis, correctly indicates that the local Hatem bridge <\/p>\n
that links Havre de Grace and Perryville, and allows fisherman and canoeists
\naccess to recreation, should remain affordable to motorists (see “Columnist
\nGets it Half Right on Proposed Toll Increases)”. But Sen Jacobs also only gets <\/p>\n
it half right. What about people who can’t afford a car, one car families, and
\nother recreational users? Why aren’t people allowed to walk or bicycle across
\nthis one mile bridge?<\/p>\n
Transportation officials will chime in that the bridge was designed only
\nfor motorists, and that walking or bicycling is unsafe. But Interstate 95, less <\/p>\n
than a mile away, parallels the four lane Hatem Bridge. Trucks and through
\ntraffic should use the Interstate, and the Hatem should be reconfigured into a
\nfull service bridge for local traffic. Sidewalks and bikelanes should replace
\nthe outer lane on this local bridge that connects these two communities. The
\nreconfigured Hatem Bridge would look similar to the two lane, full
\nservice bridge that bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists use to enter
\n Annapolis near the Naval Academy.<\/p>\n
An added benefit would be to remove a major barrier to the East Coast
\nBicycle Trail that needs to cross the Susquehanna River. Local residents would <\/p>\n
gain mobility by having other travel options besides driving. . Opportunities <\/p>\n
to exercise and see one’s neighbors would be enhanced. And local residents
\ncould still drive across the Hatem. Slowing down from 45mph on the current
\nbridge to say 30mph on the reconfigured bridge would add less than a minute to
\ntravel time. And having a two lane bridge instead of a four lane would
\nencourage trucks and through traffic to use the Interstate instead of cutting
\nthrough local communities. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
from Jeffrey H. Marks Sen Nancy Jacobs, Annapolis, correctly indicates that the local Hatem bridge that links Havre de Grace and Perryville, and allows fisherman and canoeists access to recreation, should remain affordable to motorists (see “Columnist Gets it Half Right on Proposed Toll Increases)”. But Sen Jacobs also only gets it half right. What … <\/p>\n