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Community Corner

Trucks vs. the CSX Railroad Bridge

When will the Howard and Baltimore County Traffic Divisions do something about the huge "18 wheelers", the drivers of which are too stupid or inattentive to notice the hight restriction signs on both the Howard and Baltimore County sides of the bridge, and at the bridge itself? It would be beneficial to all concerned were they to take another route before getting stuck and bringing the entire town to a halt, as happens on an all too regular basis.
Both this past Tuesday October 29 and Thursday October 31 tractor trailers east bound on Main Street had traffic backed up past Old Frederick Road toward Catonsville, as far west on Main Street as could be seen, up Maryland Avenue, St. Paul Street and as far as College Avenue and New Cut Road while they attempted to back up onto Maryland Avenue so they could turn around and head back west on Main Street.  "Thursday`s truck" was so huge the driver had to actually shorten the wheelbase of the trailer by moving the rear set of wheels a few feet forward in order to make the turn onto west bound Main Street.  It`s not too much of an exaggeration to say "Tuesday`s truck" and its clueless driver might still be trying to turn around were it not for a more knowledgeable trucker, stuck in traffic himself leaving the mill, assisting him in getting his rig turned.
It might be great entertainment watching these behemoths back and fill but the potential for a tragedy is very real.  There is no way an emergency vehicle; fire truck, ambulance, etc. could get through these obstructions.
At the very least, flashing lights on the height restriction signs might divert the driver`s attention from their GPS devices or cell phones long enough to realize they must leave Main Street and find another route.  Ideally, though, weight/size restrictions should be placed on ALL trucks entering the "historic" area of Ellicott City.

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