A Connection Between Ebenezer Road and Route 43

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Eastern Baltimore County, including Harewood, Oliver Beach, Carroll Island, Bengies, Bowleys Quarters, Whispering Pines, two grade schools and Gunpowder State Park area has potential for real tragedy. Not from the Bay but from isolation, and a remedy is only a mile away. These areas are served by either Eastern Avenue or Ebenezer Road with Earls Road connecting the two near where they meet. Ebenezer is an old winding two-lane road that is used by rock hauling trucks, commuters and school buses, and in the summer tourist group buses and boat-pulling SUVs. Two years ago a restaurant caught fire just east of the new 43 exit near Martins Airport, blocking all access to the area forcing traffic back to Ebenezer. Residents couldnt get out and safety vehicles couldnt get in, except by access to Ebenezer adding 20 minutes to any assistance. This past fall during severe flooding, the low point of Eastern was blocked again forcing long retracing. If either of these or some other form of disaster blocks both roads at once, then these areas are cut off from help or escape. Ten years ago there was a plan to extend 43 to hook up to a new racetrack near the train tracks and across from the airport. Several residents fought the track and road to save their land. The track was killed only to have the same land taken for the 43 extension, reborn as a four-lane road for a series of new business parks. Bridges were built over roads like Bird River Road but no access. After the road was completed, taking the same land, but even before the economy went south, there were many vacant and unused sites. To many of us, the 43 extension hopefully seemed a great way to get much of the truck and boating traffic off Ebenezer to a safer, straight four-lane road. But despite the numerous business sites, there are no connections to either Ebenezer or even Earls Road. A connection or two between 43 and Earls and onto Ebenezer will allow these vehicles a safer road and provide an alternative access to the east side communities. An access road must be added before there is a problem on both Ebenezer and Eastern resulting in an unnecessary tragedy including someone having to die for the safety of residents.