After taking state officials to task for scrapping the Westminster and Manchester bypasses, Carroll officials agreed yesterday to study alternatives to the long-planned highway projects.

Del. Joseph M. Getty, a Manchester Republican, questioned State Highway Administrator Parker F. Williams and John W. Frece, assistant to the governor for Smart Growth, about whether the Smart Growth criteria on bypasses adequately consider quality of life in the towns.

"This decision [to scrap the bypass projects] seems to be based on a lack of knowledge, a lack of understanding of Carroll County," Getty said.

"We're expressing our constituents' concerns about what has happened. All of a sudden, we have state bureaucrats telling the county what is best for us, and yet there is little recognition for what we've been doing in the last 30 years: trying to focus growth in existing areas.

"We should be the model for Smart Growth," Getty said during a two-hour meeting at the County Office Building in Westminster. "Instead, it seems we're being punished. It doesn't make sense."

Sen. Larry E. Haines, chairman of the county's legislative delegation, specifically noted the Manchester project, where local officials want a bypass to relieve traffic congestion on Route 30, which runs through the heart of the town.

"There's no reasonable alternative to the bypass," the Republican said. "You can't tear down the houses on Route 30 and widen the road."

The multimillion-dollar highway projects were scrapped in January after state transportation officials found them incompatible with Gov. Parris N. Glendening's Smart Growth policies, which are intended to prevent sprawl.

The Westminster bypass would have been about 10 miles long and cost $200 million; the Manchester bypass would have been about four miles long and cost $70 million.

"In the next six years, there's a $9 billion shortfall between what the communities say they need and what's been budg eted," said Ron Young, deputy director of the Maryland Office of Planning. "We must find solutions to problems today, rather than promise something 10 to 12 years" down the line.

The county commissioners, members of the Carroll delegation and Manchester officials agreed to form a focus group to study alternative traffic solutions for Route 30.

The local leaders and Westminster officials plan to form a second group to examine Route 140. The groups are expected to begin meeting this month.

"We're willing to listen to any alternatives, but you cannot destroy our community by gutting our Main Street," Manchester Mayor Elmer C. Lippy told state officials.

Williams suggested that Manchester reconsider recommendations made by a consultant in 1994, including adjusting the timing of traffic signals and improving several Route 30 intersections.

York Street and Charmil Drive would be improved where they intersect with Route 30. Main Street merchants opposed the proposed changes five years ago because they would reduce the number of parking spaces along the road.

"We need to see if there are alternatives to the parking issue," Frece said. "That's one of the issues the focus group will need to look closely at."

The Westminster focus group will study Route 140 and connecting roads. The state is expanding the highway from Leidy Road to the Route 97 split, a project expected to cost about $6 million. Construction is to be completed in the fall of 2000.

Other Route 140 improvements -- widening of the bridges over northbound Route 97 and Route 27, and adding a fourth lane in each direction between Malcolm Drive and Pennsylvania Avenue -- would cost about $25 million. Those projects have not been funded.

In an earlier meeting with Westminster officials, Williams suggested that the city consider making the Route 140 improvements a priority.

"I'd push for that funding if I were you," he said. "You can make a good case."

Williams said Westminster might also want to consider bilevel intersections, allowing one road to go above another to avoid the need for traffic signals.

City planner Katrina L. Tucker said a previous focus group had considered that idea but that it was vehemently opposed by business owners, who feared that two-level intersections would reduce parking or restrict access.

Westminster Mayor Kenneth A. Yowan said he was disappointed to hear that the bypass had been canceled but that he prefers to "look at the glass as half-full."

"We certainly have a strong commitment to work together to find a solution to our problem," Yowan said. "We knew the bypass was not going to carry a single vehicle for at least 15 or 20 years had it stayed in the plans. The positive side is, maybe we can get some help sooner to help carry traffic and improve the quality of life in the area."

As the focus group begins its work, Haines said, he will continue to push for state funding for the bypasses.

County officials have also asked Maryland's Board of Public Works to endorse the Manchester and Westminster projects.

"Improvements to Route 140 are good, but they are not a reasonable alternative to what we've been planning for 30 years. I want to see us continue to focus on these bypasses," Haines said. "It's my feeling that they need to happen."

Sun staff writer Kristine Henry contributed to this article.

Pub Date: 3/09/99