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Feds propose I-270 alternatives for Monocacy Battlefield
By Stephanie Mlot
The Frederick News-Post [Frederick, Md.]
September 24, 2008
The National Park Service wants to connect two sections of the Monocacy National Battlefield split by I-270.
The proposal is one option in a draft general management plan.
Currently, the interstate bisects the park and cuts through the area of heaviest fighting in the battlefield, said Susan Trail, superintendent of the Monocacy National Battlefield.
The general management plan analyzes four proposed alternatives, including a "no action" plan and the NPS preferred alternative.
- The no-action alternative (Alternative One) continues present practices, preserving and maintaining the battlefield's cultural and natural resources.
- Alternative Two would mean visitors would use alternative transportation to visit the site. New trails through the battlefield would be constructed, and a deck over I-270 would allow visitors to travel from the Worthington Farm to the Thomas Farm.
- Alternative Three would allow visitors to drive through the battlefield. No deck over I-270 would be constructed to reconnect the battlefield.
- Alternative Four, preferred by the NPS, would move administrative offices into the Thomas House and visitors would travel through the battlefield by car.
"We've been working with the State Highway Administration to put together some ideas for any mitigation that could be done as part of any widening of the interstate," Trail said.
A federal and state transportation plan proposes an eventual widening of the northern end of I-270 to six or eight lanes from the current four.
"That would definitely have adverse affects on the battlefield," Trail said. "It would entail some taking of land, for one thing."
SHA Project Planning Manager Russ Anderson said the administration recognizes the significance of highway widening, including roadway noise and impacts to the visual landscape.
Anderson said the SHA is working with the NPS to reach an "equitable, win-win situation."
Chuck Gischlar, SHA spokesman, said the expansion of I-270, a 31-mile project, from Shady Grove Metro to U.S. 15, is still only funded for the planning phase.
"It's hard to determine when it will be funded for construction and design money," he said.
The GMP will be on public review for 60 days following publication of the notice. Comments on the general management plan are welcome.
"At this point it is just a concept, and we don't have any plans," Trail said.
Anderson said the SHA and NPS are hoping to get back to the public by the spring of 2009 to introduce the alternatives.
Eric
By Stephanie Mlot
The Frederick News-Post [Frederick, Md.]
September 24, 2008
The National Park Service wants to connect two sections of the Monocacy National Battlefield split by I-270.
The proposal is one option in a draft general management plan.
Currently, the interstate bisects the park and cuts through the area of heaviest fighting in the battlefield, said Susan Trail, superintendent of the Monocacy National Battlefield.
The general management plan analyzes four proposed alternatives, including a "no action" plan and the NPS preferred alternative.
- The no-action alternative (Alternative One) continues present practices, preserving and maintaining the battlefield's cultural and natural resources.
- Alternative Two would mean visitors would use alternative transportation to visit the site. New trails through the battlefield would be constructed, and a deck over I-270 would allow visitors to travel from the Worthington Farm to the Thomas Farm.
- Alternative Three would allow visitors to drive through the battlefield. No deck over I-270 would be constructed to reconnect the battlefield.
- Alternative Four, preferred by the NPS, would move administrative offices into the Thomas House and visitors would travel through the battlefield by car.
"We've been working with the State Highway Administration to put together some ideas for any mitigation that could be done as part of any widening of the interstate," Trail said.
A federal and state transportation plan proposes an eventual widening of the northern end of I-270 to six or eight lanes from the current four.
"That would definitely have adverse affects on the battlefield," Trail said. "It would entail some taking of land, for one thing."
SHA Project Planning Manager Russ Anderson said the administration recognizes the significance of highway widening, including roadway noise and impacts to the visual landscape.
Anderson said the SHA is working with the NPS to reach an "equitable, win-win situation."
Chuck Gischlar, SHA spokesman, said the expansion of I-270, a 31-mile project, from Shady Grove Metro to U.S. 15, is still only funded for the planning phase.
"It's hard to determine when it will be funded for construction and design money," he said.
The GMP will be on public review for 60 days following publication of the notice. Comments on the general management plan are welcome.
"At this point it is just a concept, and we don't have any plans," Trail said.
Anderson said the SHA and NPS are hoping to get back to the public by the spring of 2009 to introduce the alternatives.
Eric
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