For Severna Park and Broadneck area residents, the takeaway to consider from Tuesday night's presentation of a future transportation plan is the proposed widening of Route 2 north from four lanes to six—from US Route 50 to Route 10.

Held at Severna Park Middle School, it was the final scheduled public hearing on the county's Master Transportation Plan, which is a part of the county's General Development Plan (GDP). The GDP was adopted in April 2009 and observed that the ability to further increase highway capacity on county roadways is limited by land availability, environmental constraints, and impact on adjacent communities.

George Cardwell of the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning and Paul Silberman of Sabra, Wang & Associates explained the overall realm of the $3.6 billion plan. They used detailed maps of each corridor where proposed changes to major highways and interstates will occur.

Silberman said no plans for widening Benfield Road in Severna Park are being considered. The road is a heavily traveled interchange for those traveling east and west. What they are looking at is traffic calming, bicycle and pedestrian safety, bike shares and zip cars.

The draft report (PDF) is the culmination of an 18 month study to reduce traffic congestion along nine major highway corridors, plus four secondary corridors. Three public listening sessions were held back in January and February 2011.

Residents asked questions pertaining to commuting in the Baltimore Washington area and easing local traffic congestion.

The goal of the plan, said Sabra, is to "decrease congestion and enhance travel choices while maintaining the character of the corridor."

Elected officials and community leaders were given a chance to speak including, State Del. Cathy Vitale, R-Severna Park; County Councilman Dick Ladd; and Maureen Carr-York, who voiced concerns ranging from the estimated cost to property easement considerations and the number of public hearings offered to the public.

Tuesday's meeting comes after input from a seven-person Citizen Advisory Committee, appointed by County Executive John R. Leopold, and a series of public forums over the past 18 months. On June 5, community leaders from around the county gathered to discuss the plan with county planners.

Nine major highway corridors and four secondary corridors were involved in the study, including Maryland Route 32, Maryland Route 3 and Maryland Route 170. 

Public comments on the plan are being accepted until July 6.

Other corridors in the study include:

• US Route 50: Prince George’s County Line to Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
• Maryland Route 2: Central Avenue to West Street.
• Maryland Route 2: US Route 50 to Interstate 695, including Route 2 North in Severna Park, up to Route 10.
• Interstate 97: US Route 50 to I-695.
• Maryland Route 100: Maryland Route 648 to Howard County line.
• Baltimore-Washington Parkway: Prince George’s County line to I-695.
• Magothy Bridge Road to Hog Neck Road to Ft. Smallwood Rd.
  (MD 173) to Baltimore City line.

Secondary corridors

• Maryland Route 170.
• Maryland Route 176.
• Maryland Route 713.
• Benfield Road.

Do you think Route 2 north should be widened to six lanes? Vote in the poll below.