Environmental Assessment - MdTA

MD 24 Option 2 (Appendix A, Plates 12-16)
There would be 8.9 acres of additional ROW required for this option. The majority of the
improvements would occur within existing Authority ROW. The largest ROW requirement
as part of the improvements to this interchange would occur along the ramps from
southbound MD 24/MD 924/Tollgate Road to southbound I-95, ramps from northbound I-95
to northbound MD 24/ MD 924, and the proposed park and ride. This would impact open
property associated with the Constant Friendship Business Park, and a commercial property
located along MD 24 that would likely be displaced by this option. The displacement is
currently a Sportsman Club (shooting range).
Overall, the proposed improvements would result in property, visual, and potential noise
impacts. These represent potential quality of life impacts, which could be offset somewhat
by improved access, increased transit use, mobility, and safety created by the enhanced
interchange operations and a new park and ride lot. The proposed improvements to the
I-95/MD 24 interchange and new park and ride lot are not expected to impact community
cohesion as only one displacement is likely, and no neighborhoods or communities would be
physically separated from others in the area.
MD 543 Options 1 and 7 (Appendix A, Plates 21A-24A and 21-24)
The proposed improvements for both options at the MD 543 interchange are entirely within
existing ROW. The proposed interchange configurations utilize existing ramps where
possible, and accommodate all new and realigned ramps within the existing ROW. There are
no displacements associated with these options.
The proposed interchange configuration with Option 1 would minimize the overall footprint
of the interchange by tightening the ramp layout, which would provide greater distance
between the ramps and hotels located on Handler Road (Spring Hill Suites and Country Inn
and Suites). This new configuration would improve the existing weaving condition along
MD 543 by creating greater distance between the I-95 signal and the MD 7 intersection. The
proposed improvements would also include dual left turn lanes from southbound MD 543 to
Section 200 Draft Environmental Assessment
III-18