Delegated Authority

That, in addition to them having 1 eastbound lane on the eastbound bridge closed for the next 10 weeks, apparently, when it rains, or thinks it going to rain, they are going to suspend the 2-way traffic on the westbound bridge (which means the eastbound traffic goes from 2 lanes to 1, total).

I may end up with round-trip commutes. . .  i.e. leave work. . . take the bus to Kent Narrows. . . don’t get off the bus, just turn around and ride it back to D.C. . . . .

BTW:  Today is the Friday before Labor Day weekend, traditionally an excessively high volume traffic day heading east.  Its raining and expected to rain all day.  Any bets on when I’ll get home?

Their notice:

SIGNIFICANT DELAYS EXPECTED AS SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS ARE MADE TO BAY BRIDGE
Labor Day Beachgoers Urged To Travel Off Peak, Use Alternate Route

DO NOT USE SERVICE ROADS TO REACH THE BRIDGE

Construction Could Take Up To 10 Weeks To Complete 

Starting today, the right lane of the Bay Bridge’s eastbound span will be closed continuously as work begins to strengthen the parapets (or barriers) lining the side of the bridge. The first section to be modified is near the Eastern Shore side of the span. Pending results of the ongoing testing, potential repairs to other sections of parapet on the eastbound span are possible and could take up to 10 weeks to complete.

“Our annual inspections, that go above and beyond federal requirements, confirm that the Bay Bridge is safe,” said Transportation Secretary and Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Chairman John D. Porcari. “Since the Aug. 10 incident, we have been aggressively assessing bridge operations and structural elements. In-depth testing done to date shows that improvements can be made to strengthen the parapet. Out of an abundance of caution, we want to execute these modifications immediately.”

During the right-lane closure, the posted speed limit on the eastbound span will drop to 40 mph at all times. Two-way traffic will operate as needed on the westbound span to provide two eastbound travel lanes. Commuters will still have three lanes westbound during morning rush hours, as will travelers returning from the Eastern Shore on Sundays and Labor Day Monday.

“The reality is that diminished capacity will lead to delays, particularly during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, but the safety of our motorists, employees and contractors is our top priority,” said MDTA Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland. “We’re asking our bridge commuters and local residents to work with us again during these modifications. We’re also encouraging Labor Day beachgoers to use alternate routes and avoid the Bay Bridge this weekend, if possible. Drivers should plan their trips by calling 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) and logging onto baybridge.com.”

The MDTA began today’s repairs after ultrasonic and ground penetrating radar (GPR) testing of the parapet in the right lane near the Eastern Shore indicated corrosion of reinforcing steel bolts encased in the concrete barrier.

(Now I really feel safe crossing this twice a day!)

“The repairs we are starting today will restore the strength of the parapet,” said MDTA Chief Engineer Geoffrey V. Kolberg. “The corrosion is a direct result of voids in the center of the concrete parapet, where moisture has become trapped. If our ongoing testing identifies other parapet areas in need of strengthening, immediate corrective action will begin and could take up to 10 weeks for such repairs.”

Strengthening of the parapet involves bolting an L-shaped steel anchor strap (or bracket) to the parapet and to the bridge deck and bolting a double steel w-beam (or guardrail) to the parapet. Design of a permanent repair to the parapet is underway.

During the lane closure, trucks wider than 12 feet will be prohibited from traveling the bridge in the eastbound direction and must use an alternate route. The restriction includes trucks that have been issued blanket permits.

P.S.  Since I have been working in D.C.  I have estimated that I have now crossed the William Preston Memorial Bridge (aka Chesapeake Bay Bridge) 1470 times, not counting social visits to friends and family, shopping trips, and any trips pre-Oct. 29, 2005.  I’m still not quite used to crossing it, tho its easier to ignore, most days.  Except when they tell you the tiny barriers that are on the side of the bridge WONT. HOLD. YOU. IN.  Geez.  Thanks.

Right Lane of Eastbound Span Closed Continuously For Up To 10 Weeks … Eastbound Speed Limit 40 mph … Expect Significant Delays

Translated:  My daily commute just got 1-3 hours longer.  Every day.  For TEN WEEKS.

Put a big W in the Science column for the semester.  Yeah. 

I signed in early to the online class to see if the Prof had any notes about the class up, and a huge red flag went up!  It looked like this:

Plan on spending at least 12 hours a WEEK on work for this class alone.

Uh. NO.

Since the only other science class with a lab available this late was one with the same professor (why was I NOT surprised?) . . . I opted to take another law class instead.   So, Litigation and Contracts it is.  Whew!

Smart move if you ask me!

Hey!  I figured out how to change the color of the text in my blog!  Woo Hoo!

Once a year (yeah. unfortunately only once.) my friend Pam and I leave the real world behind and head for Jamaica Mon’, well, Ocean City’s Jamaica. . .Seacrets, U.S.A.

Last year, we didn’t get to go until late in the year, and while it was fun, it just wasn’t as fun as it is in the sunny hot weather when we can hang out in the sun, soakin’ up the rays on the beach in the tubes, chatting and just enjoying the day away from the rest of the stresses of the rest of the world.

Take a peek into the fun we had here!

We’re already making plans for next time! Oh. Yeah. 

I’m registered for classes once again.

Only 2 this time.  Have had enough craziness for a little while. . .  3 was just tooooo much last semester. . .and the semester before that.  So, I’m taking Litigation.  And Meteorology.  Yeah.  Meteorology.  After 20 years of avoiding science, they’ve given me an ultimatum.  If I want to graduate, I have to take a science class.  With a lab. Ugh.  I. Hate. Science.  Help!

Classes start 9/8.

NEWSFLASH!!  Jared has signed up for classes at Chesapeake College!  He’s going to start full time on 8/28 (hehehehe he has to start before me!).

Happy Birthday to my Dad! 

Father to 8, Grandfather to geesh, about 24, and great-grandfather to 5 1/2 and still counting!!  (Note to my siblings:  I apologize profusely if I counted wrong!  Its been a long week!)

On this day in history:

     -Congress passed the Social Security Act into law (FDR)!
     -Singer David Crosby was born
     -Mt. Rushmore was first proposed

There were a lot of things going on in 1925!
         -U.S. forces have landed at Shanghai January 15 to protect American Nationals in the violence occasioned by factional disputes;

    -Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average closes December 31 at its high of 156.66, up from 120.51 at the end of 1924;

    -Chrysler Corp. is created by a reorganization of Maxwell Motor;

    -New York’s mayor John Hylan breaks ground with a silver-plated shovel March 14 at the intersection of St. Nicholas Avenue and West 123rd Street for a Municipal subway system;

    -Ken Wray Sr. was born!
  

Okay!  Well, you get the idea. . .  there were a LOT of cool things going on in 1925!  That was just a small sampling, let me tell ya!

So, Dad, Here’s to YOU!  Thanks for all you have given of yourself to so many.  May you live many happy and exciting years to come

 I Love you!

This is my “great niece”, Clio Nelson (& little brother Max) in her first philanthropic adventure.

 First, isn’t she just plain adorable?

Second, click here for a link to find out how awesome she did raising money for her cause!

That’s all.

This is what I’m deciphering these days.  Multivariate imputation.

Yeah.

My nephew, Kevin and his wife, Shelly, who live in the Texas panhandle, came home to the Shore for a visit and stopped by our house tonight.  It was so great to catch up with them!

Kevin moved from Texas to the Shore and lived with us for a little while after high school, and thats when he met Shelly, so of course, I like to think that we bring him good luck!  (Then he turned around and took Shelly back to Texas (where his parents and brother and even more extended family lives! But that is besides the point!)).

 Its always nice that they come back this way to visit and include us on their “people to see” list 

Here’s the few pic’s I managed to get

Hope y’all have a great visit and a safe trip home!

 If you are looking for pictures of Dennis’ birthday celebration, they’re finally here.  And Justin’s are here.� 

P.S.  Paula sure knows me!  Point in fact, she got me this magnet: 

 

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