Speed Enforcement on Muirkirk

Observed again at mid-day on July 27, Prince George's County and Maryland State police continue to conduct frequent speed enforcement throughout day-time hours in the 30 miles-per-hour zone along Muirkirk Rd between Lanner Drive and Route 197.

Muirkirk Rd to Become De Facto ICC Extension

On July 11, 2005, after decades of debate, Maryland Governor, John Ehrlich, Jr., announced the state's chosen route for the Inter-County Connector (ICC) between I-270 in Montgomery County and Prince George's County I-95 and eventually further east to Route 1.
On the map, notice how the eastern end of the Governor's chosen ICC Route terminates at Route 1 just north of Muirkirk Road -- making Muirkirk Rd a de facto extension of the east end of the high-speed, multi-lane ICC.

In fact, the proposed route will have an interchange connecting the ICC to Virginia Manor Rd, and thereby to Muirkirk Rd, just west of Route 1. That will attract east-bound traffic wanting to avoid the traffic lights on Route 1 as they go farther east on Muirkirk to get to the BW Parkway, and vice versa for westbound traffic leaving the BW Parkway at Rt. 197.

I hope those in our community who are already engaging the ICC planning process will add their comments to this blog (among other means), to share with us all a better understanding of what we each can do now to minimize the negative consequences and maximize the potential positive aspects of the ICC for our neighborhoods along Muirkirk Road, including Montpelier Elementary School.

Verizon Trenching Suspected in Home Water Line Breaks

The following was reported on July 18 by my neighbor on Fairlane Place whose outside water supply line broke on the same day last week that Verizon trenched and installed fiber optic cable conduit across his property on Fairlane Place, as they are doing throughout our local area in preparation for new broadband Fiber Optic to the Home (FTTH) aka Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) for telephone, very high-speed internet and video services, also marketed as FiOS. www.verizon.com/fios

QUOTE:

I learned from the Miss Utility people today that the water pipes in several other housing units have failed. I know of two on Tuscany. I think, statistically, I can state the failures are the result of Verizon's on-going work. I think it's also reasonable to assume there will be additional failures in the areas where Verizon hasn't got to yet. Please alert other home owners to the problems which have already occurred.

Right now, it would appear that Verizon is potentially negligent in protecting the individual homes from the effects of the high intensity shock waves associated with their tunneling operations. In addition to the piping that failed, other's could be significantly weakened.
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Any one experiencing similar outside water line breaks possibly associated with Verizon trenching is encouraged to post a comment on this item. Please include date and location.

If you'd like to be contacted by other affected residents, include your email address in your comment, or watch this blog for further developments.

Other comments on this item are also welcome about Verizon trenching for fiber optic services.

Thanks