With the Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start to summer, for Eastern Shore residents it also kicks off the start of a very busy traffic season on our Eastern Shore roads. In honor of the upcoming holiday weekend, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), a private, nonprofit land conservation organization is offering Eastern Shore residents ideas to survive the busy traffic season and be part of the solution to congestion issues that affect all of us as we go about our daily lives. ESLC will continue to be engaged in transportation issues in the region through its land use planning and policy programs.
“With transportation costs on the rise for many of us here on the Shore, it is becoming tougher to get to where we need to go to work and play,” said ESLC Deputy Director Amy Owsley. “Now is the time for the Eastern Shore as a region to come together to be part of the solution to our traffic woes – and make it easier for all of us to affordably get where we need to go this summer.”
As part of ESLC’s ongoing work to address transportation issues on the Eastern Shore, ESLC offers the following tips for surviving the summer traffic season.
· Carpool : Catching a ride with a co-worker or someone who works nearly is a great way to decrease fuel costs and enjoy some fellowship and conversation during the daily commute. Just think of the lower gas and car maintenance bills! Want to see exactly how much you could save by sharing a ride to work? There are a number of online calculators to show you your cost savings by eliminating even one day of commuting. Visit www.telecommuting360.com or www.telecommuting360.com for more resources.
· Telework or consider an alternate work schedules: Many employers allow their staff to work compressed schedules or work a certain number of days from home, especially during the summer months. Telecommuting, or working from a remote location closer to your home even one day a week can save the average driver 1,200 miles a year on their car and approximately 60 gallons worth of gas. There are a series of nationwide initiatives to encourage employers to offer their employees a broad range of commuting options, including telecommuting. Visit the Best Workplaces for Commuters website for more information and details on how these options can not only save time and money, Included on the site is research on how both employers and employees report high rates of productivity, strong morale, and less stress trying to juggle family and work commitments thanks to telework arrangements. So, ask about it at work this summer. (Visit www.bestworkplaces.org for more information.)
· Take the Bus: The Eastern Shore has a rural transit system that runs from Dorchester to Kent Counties, and Cecil County also has a bus system. Check out www.dcsdct.org/dct.htm for Dorchester, Talbot, Caroline Queen Anne’s and Kent Counties and in Cecil visit www.ccgov.org/dept_aging/CommunityTransit.cfm.
· Travel Off-Peak: Pay attention to peak traffic times and select alternate times to hit the roads, even for local errands. The Maryland Transportation Authority website offersreal time traffic cameras and can help guide your itinerary on busy summer weekends. Visit www.mdta.maryland.gov
· Be part of the conversation: A series of public hearings are planned regarding potential toll increases and the Eastern Shore has a unique set of voice that must be heard. Pay attention to the MDTA website at www.mdta.maryland.gov for dates and make sure your voice is heard. Proactive long-term thinking is needed now more than ever from our region.
“Summer traffic is a reminder of the tough challenges the Eastern Shore faces,” said Owsley. “We can be in the drivers seat and make choices today to plan for tomorrow to improve access and connection to the places we love in our region,” said Owsley.
For more information about Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and our policy initiatives, please visit ESLC’s website at www.eslc.org.
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