Western High School – Sandy Rosenberg

Sometimes I do my best thinking on my seat.

I had testified on my bill to broaden the permitted uses of the money from speeding tickets on the Jones Falls Expressway.

One of my objectives with House Bill 512 is to fund a pedestrian bridge over Cold Spring Lane for the hundreds of Poly and Western students who now cross the street on foot – to and from the light rail stop.

This revenue could be used to “enhance pedestrian safety at intersections” near exit ramps.

I was still at the witness table. answering questions from committee members.

The last one was from the committee char.

Delegate Barve made the point that when the committee authorized the speed cameras on the JFX, it wanted the money generated to be used for the roadway.

Enhancing pedestrian safety would be outside that standard.

I responded, “If the committee amends the bill to apply only to the Poly-Western students, I would not object.”

No doubt you’re driving slower on the Jones Falls Expressway.

But if you aren’t, those speed cameras will cost you.

I want the revenue (an expected $34 million annually) to be put to good use.

Under existing state law, the monies collected from the speed camera fines are to be used first to cover the operating costs of the speed camera system, with the remaining funds to be directed to roadway maintenance, safety, and capital improvements.

My House Bill 512 would require that 10% of these funds be directed to improvements to the JFX interchanges, including the entrance and exit ramps, the nearest intersections with traffic lights, and pedestrian safety.

Interchanges on the JFX fall within four of the City’s five legislative districts.

Full disclosure: Improvements to the Northern Parkway/Falls Road interchange have been approved. Discussions are underway for a pedestrian bridge for Poly and Western students to cross Cold Spring Lane. Both of these projects are in my legislative district.

The Baltimore City government informed me today that it objects to requiring that 10% of the speeding ticket revenue be used for interchanges.

I’m drafting an amendment that would delete the 10% set aside for interchanges but require the City to hold a public hearing every year to solicit input on how the speeding revenues will be used.

The hearing for HB 512 before the City House delegation is tomorrow morning.

My Key Issues:

Tag: Western High School

On my seat, getting across the street

A Speedy Response

My Key Issues: