Unexpected Snow Storm Wreaks Havoc in Towson

A large amount of snow blanketed the Baltimore area yesterday, causing major problems on roads north and south of the Beltway.

Forecasters were predicting a dusting to three inches of snow. As most of us realized yesterday, it was more like 6-10 inches.

The major problem was that State Highway Administration crews apparently were not prepared. At noon, as I was on 695 traveling east toward White Marsh, it became very clear that road crews had not been out — there was no salt, sand or plowing. Snow began around 10, and it was sticking very well to the cold roadways.

I would have thought that 95 North of the Beltway would have been better, but I was wrong.

Numerous cars spun out, down embankments, in the medians. I saw about 4 accidents and probably 13 cars spun out in my short trip to Abingdon. I have a heavy SUV and it handles very well in the snow, but even I found my wheels losing their grip as I traveled slowly north.

As I was meeting with sellers and listing a great property in the St Clair neighborhood of Abingdon (it will be online in a few days — stay tuned!), the snow continued to fall quickly. At 3 pm I went to leave.

And Route 24 was a parking lot.

It took about 35 minutes to go just over a mile on that main artery toward 95 South. Police were out directing traffic, which is the only reason things were moving at all.

Once I got on 95 South, roads were a little better than earlier. It appeared at least the left lane had been sanded, but in between lanes there was a decent amount of snow built up and the right lanes completely covered. To be safe, you needed to drive in the grooves in the snow that other cars had created. Again, though, the number of ambulances and fire engines I saw was astounding. All I could think was that maybe if these roads were treated, the EMTs, firefighters, and police officers wouldn’t have to be working so hard!

695 West was decent, but Eastbound still was not. An hour & 1/2 later I was getting to Towson and York Road was untouched by plows. Bosley was a mess with cars attempting to go uphill without traction. I am still amazed that one car did not slide back down and hit me. I saw it happening and was able to navigate my way around him (thank goodness for growing up in New England — we learned how to turn into the skid!).

By the time I got home, my nerves were shot, and I was shaking from being so tense for that two hour period of driving. I was glad to get and remain home.

I wish that forecasters had been closer or that the State Highway Administration had taken precautions and sanded “just in case” so there wouldn’t have been so many accidents.

I hope you were able to remain home, and that you remembered to check out my past post on how to Enjoy the Winter White for fun things to do. It appears roads have been cleared this morning, at least here in Towson, so we may venture out. If you do so, please be careful!

White Marsh Real Estate Values May Get Boost From GM Electric Motors Plant

General Motors announced today that its White Marsh plant is going to be its hub for building electric cars, creating 200 new jobs in Baltimore County. Andrea K. Walker of the Baltimore Sun reported this news shortly after GM announced it this afternoon.

This could be wonderful for the White Marsh and Perry Hall housing market because these jobs created may bring people from outside of the area, and they will need places to live! Other areas that could benefit could be Harford County up towards Bel Air like Abingdon, Fallston & Joppa, because they tend to be a quick commute to the area where the factory will be.

The expanded plant is due to open in 2013, with the new jobs beginning right around that time. Job training should begin before then with people moving into the area at that point.

This is GM’s first foray into electric motor cars, and is creating good buzz for the company, which bodes very well for the White Marsh area of Baltimore County!

New ramp from 695 Westbound to 95 South Near White Marsh plus Major Traffic Switch at 895/95 Split Will Mess With Baltimore Traffic

Beginning July 1, 2009, expect major delays on 695 and 95 as confused motorists attempt to navigate the new location for the ramp to 95 South near White Marsh. Motorists will be exiting 695 from the RIGHT instead of the left, as they had been doing, and entering 95 South on the right as well. Here is the link to the press release from the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Add onto that a few short miles down 95 South, where on July 12, 2009, there will be a major switch in traffic pattern at the 895/95 split in Baltimore. Currently, motorists remain to the left to get on to 895, and merge to the right to remain on 95. As of July 12, this will switch COMPLETELY around, making motorists merge to the left to remain on 95 and to the right to get on 895. Here is a graphical description of the change.

This means motorists who just navigated the merge onto 95 from 695 from the right now have to merge across traffic to the left lanes to remain on 95 South.

What does this mean for the people who live nearby? Have their house values dropped due to this? With the noise, dirt, dust, and road closures forcing motorists onto Route 1 or Philadelphia Rd in White Marsh and Rosedale, or Eastern Avenue near Canton in Baltimore how has this effected their values?

So far, running statistics, the market has not dropped in those areas. A few are actually better over last year. Was the year ago value drop due to early construction & in anticipation of what was to come? Possibly.

I am pleased to see that house values in White Marsh, Canton, Rosedale and the other areas surrounding this construction have not been hit hard. I will keep an eye on the statistics to keep updates coming.