On Tuesday, September 28, a peaceful band of demonstrators, identifying themselves with paper banners marked SOS (Support Overpass for Students) marched from QAC high school to the Liberty building in downtown Centreville.
Their cause was to raise awareness of the deadly 301/304 interchange, the traffic hotspot where 15-year-old Connor Rice lost his life less than two weeks prior. Rice’s has been the fifth death at the interchange since 2005.
[slideshow id=69]Met by the board of commissioners, the one-hundred strong crowd of students and parents’ chants of “over-pass” eventually died out as Vice President Phil Dumenil called for a moment of silence for the Rice family.
Dumenil emphasized the board’s sympathies with the community, particularly their demands for the overpass. Dumenil was quick to add, however, that the county currently lacks the authority to create the desired overpass, sufficient funds or not, because the highway in question is state owned, thus requiring approval from the State Highway Administration. This, the commissioners said, would involve taking the case to Annapolis.
“Even if we had the $50 million, we couldn’t— because it’s not our road,” said Dumenil.
According to the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer, SHA spokespeople have estimated that constructing an overpass at the site would currently cost at least $60 million.
Meanwhile, as a $1.5 million stopgap solution, the SHA has been working on a J-turn at the intersection since last week. It will be completed sometime in the spring, according to reports in the Record-Observer.
“It’s not the overpass we wanted, but it will help,” said one of the commissioners.
“But other J-turns don’t have truck stops so close!” said a women in the crowd.
On Nov. 1 officials from the SHA will be present for a hearing at the county commissioners office at the Liberty Building in downtown Centreville. One particularly active member of the community, Barb Burkhardt, has been leading a petition to make the SHA build the overpass. She will be presenting the petition, which she hopes will obtain 5,000 signatures, on this day. She is also responsible for a Facebook group, Support Overpass 4 Students.
“Are you doing to be behind us, do we have access to you, to point us in the direction we need to go?” Said one crowd member to the commissioners, referring to the Nov. 1 hearing.
“This is the unity we need to bring to this building on November 1,” said Dumenil to a warm applause. “We don’t want to be pushed down this priority list any longer. I will be there to make sure our voices are heard in Annapolis regarding this.”
Betty Carroll says
My deepest sympathy to the Rice Family and friends.
For many years, the Galena community experienced fatal accidents at the intersection of 301/313. We as a community – town council, fire company and others voiced concerns and need for an over-pass at that location. After many meetings with SHA and other officials, SHA approved plans for a J-Turn. Needless to say, we all wanted an over-pass like 301/291. We never thought a J-Turn would be safe. Well, there have been no fatal accidents (or any accidents that I know of) at that site since the J-Turn was installed.
We do not have a truck stop at 301/304, but it is a very active location for the many large trucks traveling 301 and 313.
Bobby says
The Overpass has been requested by the Community for as long as I remember. J-Turns are very affective for low volume intersections but a Overpass is justified in this case. You have the Truck Stop, State Highway Maintenance Yard, State Police, Fire School, QA solid waster and Tidewater all in the same area. Farmers also use the intersections when moving equipment and hauling grain. Most importantly the schools are nearby.
The biggest problem is the lack of funding we get on the Eastern Shore for Highway Projects, but yet they want to increase the toll rate on the bridge which effects Eastern Shore residents the most.
If you want action get support from Senator Mikulski and Senator Cardin. The democrats are the only ones who have power in this State.
By the way, The last phase of the Intercounty Connector (funded by new toll tax) was just bid for 80 million. No way this intersection would cost 60 million.
Andy Viahos says
Where can we sign the petition. I drive that part of 301 on my daily commute, and yes, an over pass is the safest option.
Barb Burkhardt says
https://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-maryland-sha-put-an-overpass-at-the-intersection-of-301-and-304
Here is the petition for you to sign …thank you so much…
Also, What a great article…Thank you so much for writing it
Barb
Barb Burkhardt says
One more thing…I didn’t start the SOS4 aka Support Overpass 4 Students Face book page by myself…there were 4 of us who are the masterminds behind that…and one very talented Niki who did the logo :)…
Barb Burkhardt says
The petition broke 5000 signatures on Wednesday 10/26/2011 at 7:41. The Petition website automatically sets a new goal…which is now 7500. At this very moment there are 5045 signatures on the petition… ~Thank you all so much who signed it and continue to share so others can sign it.