Transcripts

Gephyrophobia on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge

MS. REBECCA SHEIR

13:32:42
Now, the Bay Bridge doesn't just arouse fear. It can also spark, well, frustration thanks to traffic. But for all of us who've shaken our fists at the seemingly endless backups on the bridge, there are plenty of people who, in a way, welcome it. And all the tourist dollars that come with it. And that's the topic of this weeks, On The Coast.

MS. REBECCA SHEIR

13:33:06
Our regular segment in which reporter Bryan Russo brings us up to speed on the latest news from the eastern shore of Maryland and Coastal Delaware. And Bryan joins us now from Ocean City, Md. Hi, Bryan.

MR. BRYAN RUSSO

13:33:16
Hey, Rebecca.

SHEIR

13:33:17
So, you don't often see people, basically, wearing I heart traffic t-shirts. Who are these people who get a kick out of traffic?

RUSSO

13:33:25
Well, basically it's the people who don't have to drive in it. In other words, they're the people who live and work here on the coast. Here's Mike Priola, he's the executive chef at an upscale restaurant called Nantucket's just a mile north of Ocean City in Fenwick Island, Del.

MR. MIKE PRIOLA

13:33:39
It is a necessary evil, I guess. I mean, it takes me less than 15 minutes in the winter time to get to work and it can take me upwards of 50 minutes, you know, an hour at the most, you know, when it's really bad.

SHEIR

13:33:48
That kind of sounds like the opposite of life in D.C. where the long commutes are in the winter and the shorter ones are in the summer. But I wanted to ask about another big thing drivers are dealing with right now, the high price of gas. Are people on the coast worried that gas prices might thin out some of the traffic heading their way?

RUSSO

13:34:05
Well, I talked to some people around town and at local businesses this week and here's their take on the issue. Jody Johansson bartender JC's north side pub ocean city

MR. JODI JOHANSSON

13:34:10
Hey, my name's Jodi Johansson and I'm a bartender here at JC's North side Pub in Ocean City. I do not think gas prices are going to affect tourism this year. I think that people are going to drive to the closest beach destination and take advantage of the situation.

MS. JOJO AGGIE

13:34:21
I'm Jojo (sp?) Aggie (sp?) and I work at K-Coast Girl. And I don't think gas prices are going to affect sales. Because people still love the beach and they still love our clothes.

MS. TAMMY PATRICK-CEBULA

13:34:31
My name is Tammy Patrick-Cebula at Galaxy 66 Bar and Grille and Lovin Life Limos Limited. I think, the gas prices have fluctuated so much in the past few years that people have adjusted their expense on the bottom line to adjust back and forth. And I really don't think that it's one of those things that we're concerned about.

MR. MICHAEL KNOWLES

13:34:49
Michael Knowles, I live here in Ocean City. And I don't think the gas prices are going to affect anybody coming to vacation whatsoever. I think, they all want to get away and it's not going to make any difference either way because families are still want to come to Ocean City and have a good time.

RUSSO

13:35:03
Another interesting part of this story is that Ocean City is launching a very public spin campaign on the gas price issue. They're also debating a plan to spend a million dollars of the towns advertising budget on a free gas promotion in which Ocean City would give tourists a free gallon of gas for ever night they spend at a local hotel.

SHEIR

13:35:22
Wow. It's interesting though that officials seem to be getting so anxious about this, when the people you spoke with don't really feel like gas prices will deter people from coming. But, in any case, do you think that plan about giving tourists a free gallon, do you think that plan will actually go through?

RUSSO

13:35:35
Actually, not really. There isn't much time to put this plan into action. And I'm not sure there are enough votes on the city council. Plus, sad to say, a million dollars doesn't really go that far anymore.

SHEIR

13:35:47
Interesting though. But on the topic of the cost of actually getting to the beach. Last week, the Maryland transportation authority announced plans to double the toll on the Bay Bridge from $2.50 to $5 and then increase it again to $8 in 2013. I'm assuming that is a source of concern for people on the coast.

RUSSO

13:36:06
It is for sure. I mean, although they haven't raised the toll in decades, I think people would've been okay with a 50 cent or even a $1 rise in the toll price. But the sticker shock of what the Maryland transportation authority is proposing is freaking some people out here on the coast. And probably on your side of the bridge too, I would imagine.

SHEIR

13:36:23
Well, I want to ask, what about the people who moved out to the beach to retire or the people who moved there specifically to live a more, you know, rural lifestyle? What do they have to say about all of this?

RUSSO

13:36:34
Well, long time residents have definitely seen huge changes here over the past few decades. Before the Bay Bridge was open, back in 1952, people used to take fairies around the head of the Bay to get to the eastern side of the shore. And there was definitely a much slower pace then, then there is now. Here's Ken Medell of Kent Island Express, that drive-over company that Tara was talking about in a previous segment. He's lived here on the eastern shore for a long time. And he basically says he longs for the slower pace of the old days.

MR. KEN MEDELL

13:37:04
It wasn't the hustle-bustle as there is across on the western shore. And I liked it that way. And now it's starting to drift over this way. You feel kind of crowded and kind of, gee, where do I go now?

RUSSO

13:37:17
But the thing is, even though people may complain a little, everyone agrees there's no going back to the way things were. Nor would most people here want to. So a lot of residents in beach communities have one message that you don’t hear very often when it comes to traffic, and that's, bring it.

SHEIR

13:37:34
Bryan Russo is the host of Coastal Connection on 88.3 in Ocean City. Thank you so much for coming back on the program, Bryan.

RUSSO

13:37:40
No problem, Rebecca, take care.
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