His ideas may get short shrift in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, but Republican state Sen. E. J. Pipkin is stirring up debate on several measures aimed at what he calls the most ignored group in Maryland – the Bay Bridge users.
His bill SB 991 would require the state to temporarily stop collecting tolls when eastbound vehicles are waiting for longer than 30 minutes to cross the bridge.
Another, SB 649, requires an immediate and independent inspection of the bridge using state-of-the-art technology.
Such technology, employed after the fatal August 10 accident on the bridge, Pipkin said, is the only way that corroded steel inside bridge girders was discovered.
“It is also deeply troubling that the invasive examination of the westbound bridge’s suspension cables was overdue by six years,” said Pipkin. “What else don’t we know about the condition of the bridge?”
Pipkin’s SB 648 would spur consideration of a third bay bridge.
“There is no dispute of the need for a third bay bridge,” the senator stated.
“The citizens who endure the intolerable traffic gridlock deserve to have their demands taken seriously.”
Doneitall says
If ever there were a reason for user fees it would be to finance a third bay bridge. Why should state tax payers finance a smoother commute for those who wish to travel to Ocean City? Let those who want to make the trip pay for the privilege – otherwise, leave us alone here on the shore.
Lulu D. says
So Pipkin is now FOR an expensive third bridge? In the past he backed Del. Walkup and others’ opposition to a bridge that could have a lot of negative impact especially on Kent County, which was the route talked about a few years ago. This is a very costly and foolish idea. A much better concept would be a car ferry, much like the ferries that criss crossed the Bay many years ago before the Bridges were built! It would also be a tourism draw, cost a lot less and have less environmental impact than a new bridge.
This is just the latest example of how Pipkin panders and plays political games, especially in an election year.
MD Eastern Shore says
I’m with doneitall… please go away and leave us alone. It’s hard to get to the Eastern Shore for a reason. In fact, maybe we should declare the Bay Bridge obsolete and have it removed.
It’s been 15 or 20 years since the Eastern Shore explored seccession from MD, maybe it’s time to go there again. I pay a ton of taxes to Annapolis and I have nothing to show for it except a bigger property tax assessment.
Chris says
Build a third span at the current site, a three lane affair opposite the other.
Install high-speed easy pass gates in the leftmost lanes of the toll booth.
Use the old 2 lane bridge (middle span) for high-speed easy pass crossings.
Switch the direction of this middle span to accommodate either eastbound or westbound rush hours.
Always have 3 lanes (or more) going in any direction.
Gain the ability to shut down an entire span in the off season, allowing for fast, correct repairs and inspections. No more expensive night work, eliminate the need for spans sharing two-way traffic in non emergency situations.
Refuse the idea to not collect tolls to satisfy populist BS.
A whole flock of birds, one stone.