hsweiss

14 hours ago, SRF said:

Maybe they changed.  But back in the 70s, the ban was only for the approaches, not the actual tunnels.

 

But you can't to the tunnel without driving on the approaches.

From https://mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/BHT.html

Vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using both the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor Tunnels. In addition, vehicles in excess of 13 feet, 6 inches, in height, or 96 inches (8 feet) in width; and all double trailers are prohibited from using the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. For additional information regarding these restrictions, please call 410-537-1374.

On 3/28/2024 at 12:04 PM, Charles4515 said:

Most would not be coming from BWI. Coming from DC I always took 695 west to Towson but you could take 295 from DC too. I was going to Towson before GPS but after I never used it because it came up with some  stupid routes. If you actually know the way you lean the actual best route. I would never go through the city of Baltimore. Traffic lights, congestion and whatever. I doubt if Hazmat would be be allowed that route. 

I fully agree with you about going through the city.  However, it appears that its legal to transport hazmat through town:

Hazard Overview: Hazardous Materials Incidents in Baltimore

Hazardous materials (HazMats) are part of our economy. They are used to make an array of commercial and industrial products which we consume and rely upon for various purposes. In Baltimore City, there are over 200 facilities that manufacture and/or store hazardous chemicals at threshold quantities. These are known as “Tier II Facilities,” and they are required to report to the Maryland Department of the Environment on the types and quantities of chemicals at their respective locations. Every day, hazardous materials are also transported through Baltimore via railroad, trucks, and ships. Companies that manufacture, store, and transport hazardous materials are responsible for adhering to federal, state, and local requirements to ensure that these materials are handled safely and do not threaten public health. When HazMat incidents do occur, the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment play the primary role in responding to and mitigating the incident.

https://emergency.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/hazmat information.pdf

14 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

West on I-695 which is the Baltimore beltway (it is a loop). I have done it a bunch of times because on some trips I picked up my relatives who lived in Baltimore County. Also my mother lived in Towson so I went around that way. Other times Google Maps advised me to go that way because of traffic. Freight and Hazmat could be moved by rail. There are major rail  mainlines with multiple tracks.

It *was* a loop.....

36 minutes ago, hsweiss said:

Oh, I didn't say the bridge replacement would be built.  Its an astounding amount of money - not to mention the cost and schedule overruns that will inevitably occur. Its just that if a new bridge would be built, why would the old bridges stay in place with the immense costs involved in maintaining them? 

This is from a 2015 study performed for the Maryland Transportation Authority regarding the 4 build options (https://mdta.maryland.gov/sites/default/files/Files/Bay_Bridge_LCCA_Report_12-2015.pdf)

28 minutes ago, BND said:

I've ridden across and driven across those dozens of times. Grew up in MD and have been to Ocean City, MD a lot.  They never scared me.  I avoid the lane facing oncoming traffic when they have it that way.  It is only one bridge though that does that.  They used to offer drivers for free for people who were phobic.  You have to pay for the service now.  I'd much rather drive myself than have a stranger do it.

It was scary to drive across when it had the metal grid roadway surface. The car would sway left & right and there isn't much wiggle room on the eastbound bridge. 

41 minutes ago, SRF said:

1)  Money

2)  Do you really think that they think that far ahead?

 

It is the government. 

 

Oh, I didn't say the bridge replacement would be built.  Its an astounding amount of money - not to mention the cost and schedule overruns that will inevitably occur. Its just that if a new bridge would be built, why would the old bridges stay in place with the immense costs involved in maintaining them? 

2 hours ago, BDevilCruiser said:

Maryland already has approval to start design on a new Bay Bridge crossing.  One article from 2022 indicated that they would raise the clearance 50 feet.  So I would expect design of the new Key Bridge to consider what height is optimal.  I doubt that they’ll be able to use all of the approach spans so a steeper approach is possible (they are ~50 years old and a reasonable decision would be to replace them as well; one to accommodate a new design and two to accommodate 50 years of design/safety improvements.). This bridge is going to cost ~$3-5 billion (or more) it would be foolish to build it “as it was” and not make improvements.

’ 

the new Key Bridge no doubt will be completed first, so a higher bridge won’t be of help immediately, but will be eventually.

Exactly - one step at a time. In recent history, it seemed like the Bay Bridge would be replaced first which would allow taller ships but would require a new terminal in Baltimore prior to reaching the Key Bridge. But now it looks like the reverse might occur with the rebuilding of the Key Bridge. However, the old Key Bridge was very steep at its 185' above the water so the onramps would have to be re-engineered to allow a lower grade if the height were to be increased (e.g., the NYC Verrazano Bridge is 225' - a full 40' higher than the Key or Bay Bridge.

1 hour ago, BND said:

NJ port is just as secure as any other port.  I know lots of people who have parked there. The only issue we've seen/heard was when TS Sandy slammed NY/NJ.  We were on the next cruise after and a lot of cars had been flooded with salty water. A lot wouldn't start. We use Amtrak to Newark and stay in a hotel the night before and get a car service to the port.

We just drove and parked in Bayonne in December and it was fine.  We were in the garage and other than the longer walk as compared to Baltimore, it was fine.  Of course the cost was much higher since Bayonne charges $30/day vs. Baltimore's $15/day.

38 minutes ago, Cruizin999 said:

The "new" Chesapeake Bay Bridge is merely a new span, not a replacement for the two older spans. It is meant to ease congestion on the roads.

Not necessarily so.  Why would we spend $8B (or more) to build a new bridge and not build enough lane capacity that would require keeping the old bridges?  The 'newer' west-bound bridge is 51 years old (build in 1973). The 'older' east-bound span opened in 1952 making it 72 years old!  The media was calling the Key Bridge 'old' at 47 years. Between the 2 spans there is a total of 5 lanes.  I would assume that a new bridge would be at least 4 lanes in each direction (and maybe even dual-stacked like the Verrazano Bridge). Why wouldn't the plan be that the new bridge remove the operations and maintenance costs required for the ancient bridges?  Also a new bridge could be built higher to accommodate taller ships and other items such as the Panamax cranes - they needed to shut down the Bay Bridge to deliver the  cranes into the Port of Baltimore because they barely fit under the bridges.