DO ANY of the thousands of people puttering along at a snail's pace on Route 32 south every morning and north every evening care about the miles of backed-up traffic?" asked Cathy Bowen of Glenwood. "Maybe they've decided to throw up their hands and put up with it, but I can't believe the majority of commuters feel this way."
She notes that cars are "bumper to bumper" every weekday from Interstate 70 to Route 108 in Clarksville, where the highway becomes two lanes.
She said she has contacted the offices of various elected officials, including state Sens. Robert H. Kittleman and Christopher J. McCabe, Del. Robert L. Flanagan and County Executive James N. Robey.
"I'm told the widening of Route 32 is 'not on the drawing boards' any time soon," Bowen said. "Is there anything we can do to shake things up to hasten the widening of Route 32?"
Unfortunately, no, not really. Just keep calling your elected representatives. The more noise you make, the more likely something will be done.
Widening of Route 32 from Route 108 north to I-70 has been studied, according to State Highway Administration spokeswoman Lora Rakowski. But funding the work is the problem.
Rakowski advised those who are interested in seeing that section of Route 32 widened to petition their elected officials in Howard County to request SHA to fund the project as the county's top transportation priority in its Consolidated Transportation Program.
I also was questioned by James Poston of Columbia about whether there are any plans to widen Route 32 between I-70 and Route 26 in Carroll County. He was looking forward to moving from Howard County to a new home in Eldersburg the first time he e-mailed.
I heard again from Mr. Poston a few weeks later. "My wife and I moved last week and took our first commutes on 32. It is a nightmare!" he wrote. "Forty minutes average to go 6.7 miles. It is bumper to bumper from 26 to 70; my average speed 10 to 15 mph."
You're out of luck, Mr. Poston. Perhaps telecommuting is an option.
"There are no plans to widen Route 32 north of I-70 at this time," said Rakowski. She said the section of the road from I-70 to Route 26 has not been examined since 1998, when a feasibility study was requested by the Carroll County legislative delegation. The study concluded that widening Route 32 was possible and needed. Despite the finding, the project is not funded for project planning.
Rakowski recommends that anyone interested in the section from I-70 to Route 26 petition elected officials in Howard and Carroll counties to request funding for the project-planning phase of the project.
"SHA recognizes the need for capacity improvements along Route 32 as traffic volumes increase," she said. "To advance the project, support and consensus are needed of citizens and the elected delegation to fund the last phases of the highway development process."
She also said that a report for the highway administration on the relationship of potential widening and future development of the area is due by early next year. "After this report is completed and reviewed, SHA will recommend an alternative," she said.
Meanwhile, the highway administration has developed a "safety action plan" to enhance safety along the corridor. The following actions have been taken to increase safety along Route 32 from Route 144 south to Route 108:
Provided center-line rumble strips.
Provided raised pavement markers along the center line.
Designated the road as a voluntary headlight-use area.
Provided extra-wide edge lines.
Provided overhead illumination at all intersections.
Provided flashing warning signals in advance of all intersections with traffic lights.
While these steps may improve the road's safety, they will not get you home any faster. Start calling your representatives.
Howard Transit guide
Howard Transit is offering two new tools that will make traveling in and around the county easier (assuming you do not drive a car): a Ride Guide and a new toll-free number.
The newly implemented toll-free number, 800-270-9553, has menu options that provide callers with information on routes, fares, schedules, car pools, van pools and getting help for trip planning.
The Ride Guide provides information about the fixed-route Howard Transit service and HT Ride, a curb-to-curb service for individuals with disabilities, low-income residents and senior citizens who are unable to ride fixed-route buses. The guide includes a bus system map, information on reduced fares and directions on how to read the newly designed bus schedules. Ride Guides are available at Howard County libraries, senior centers, Columbia village centers, The Mall in Columbia and by calling 800-270-9553.
What's your traffic trauma? Contact Jody K. Vilschick at elison@us.net or send faxes to 410-715-2816. Technophobes can mail letters to Traffic Talk, The Sun in Howard County, 5570 Sterrett Place, Suite 300, Columbia 21044.