An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that Maryland would allow all of its jurisdictions to use cameras to catch speeders and would set up cameras in highway work zones. The General Assembly did not pass a measure authorizing those actions.
No Rest Stops For the Weary, But Just for a While
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Dear Dr. Gridlock:
On the almost 100 miles of Interstate 70 in Maryland, there is, sadly, only one set of rest areas, around mile post 40, about 12 miles west of Frederick.
Now there are signs stating that this set of rest areas is closing April 30. There is no information about whether the closing is permanent or temporary. Can you let us know what the status of these rest areas is?
-- David Abeshouse, Silver Spring
Maryland is going to rebuild the South Mountain Welcome Centers, located on a pretty stretch of highway near the Frederick-Washington county line. Once the $21.4 million project is done in fall 2009, you'll find bigger restrooms and parking lots, among other improvements.
The state says these rest stops, built in 1972, have reached the end of the line, but the reconstruction can't be done without temporarily closing the rest areas, parking lots and welcome centers on both the eastbound and westbound sides.
Truckers are being directed to alternative sites, including weigh stations, which are available for overnight parking by truckers when the scales are closed. A temporary welcome center will open May 10 at the Prime Outlets in Hagerstown at I-70 exit 29.
In the congested Washington region, we don't have many highway rest areas, and the ones we do have are heavily used by motorists and truckers. What's your opinion of their quality and serviceability? My main concern has been the longtime gathering of trucks along the ramps at the welcome centers in the Laurel area. Overnight, the trucks spill out onto the entrance and exit ramps, where the signs ban parking.
Welcoming Cameras
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I am responding to the letter about speed cameras [Dr. Gridlock, March 27]. I was in a collision in which a speeding driver ran a red light and hit my car. I support any effort to slow drivers and make them think before racing to make the light. We were lucky: We all walked away from an accident that destroyed both cars. Unfortunately, others are killed, hurt or don't have the financial or insurance resources to recover. We all drive past those situations every day.
I support cameras that catch speeders or those who run red lights. Hopefully it won't be me, but I won't argue if I get that envelope in the mail. If someone was driving my car, I will know who it was and make sure that the responsibility gets placed on the correct person.
If the cameras make folks slow down (either before or after the ticket), then that's more lives saved. It's amazing how one accident can make a person a true believer!
