There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel — the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Beginning next spring, you will be able to pay your $12 one-way toll via E-ZPass or Smart Tag (the compatible Virginia version). It’s taken officials a number of years to figure out that they can relieve congestion there by installing the system, and I’m not sure why they didn’t do it when the rest of Virginiawas going electronic, but nevertheless it’s finally happening. The plan is to continue to have a number of toll booths staffed to take cash and one that just takes E-ZPass. It will save some time but will not be an “at speed” toll lane. The speed limit, as we have seen at many other toll plazas, will be 5 mph. The Bay Bridge-Tunnel is one of the engineering wonders of the world and it’s nice to see it finally join the 21st century in terms of technology. By the way, can anyone think of a road or structure that has a toll that costs more than the $12 charged to drive the Bridge-Tunnel?
Can’t beat the heat
Curious about which MARC commuter rail line is most affected by those annoying CSX heat restrictions and why? Well, it’s train 877, which operates nonstop between Rockville and Point of Rocks. It takes longer than scheduled because it’s not scheduled to stop, which seems counterintuitive. MARC says that generally, the more station stops a train makes, the smaller the impact because a train that stops frequently normally operates at maximum speed for a shorter distance. Generally, trains should not incur more than a 10- to 15-minute delay as a result of heat restrictions. The same rules apply to the Fredericksburg Line over on Virginia Railway Express.
By the way, although regular riders probably know this already, you can no longer use personal checks to pay your fare through the conductors.
Doors closing
John is not happy and writes: “Wonder why some Metro operators feel the unquenchable need to begin closing the train doors the minute they open them on very crowded platforms during the morning or evening rush? I’m beginning to think it’s an inside joke among some of them so they can have some stories to share in the breakroom. I couldn’t even count how many times I’ve had my bag caught and crushed in a door due to the combination ofan overzealous train operator and the clueless commuter in front of me who thinks she’s the only one on the platform and has over five minutes to board. And, for the record, I’ve not been running to meet the train. Metro, give us an extra second! Sheesh!”
I’m not sure which train or which station you’re referring to, John, but it seems to me that the operators sometimes wait TOO long to close the doors — maybe it’s when I’m in a real hurry. There are standards and practices that the operators follow, and if you notice something way out of the ordinary, you should report it to the line managers.
