SHA Responds to Elkridge-Casino Sign Questions
"It makes sense," said David Buck, spokesman for State Highway Administration.
A new southbound I-95 sign placed prior to Route 100 that juxtaposes "Elkridge" and "Maryland Live Casino" has been attracting attention among Elkridge Patch readers.
Some bemoaned the listing of a private business on a State Highway Administration sign.
"The state should not be advertising private businesses on highway signs," one user wrote. "If the casino gets the state to make them a sign, then I say Cindy's Soft Serve should get equal treatment."
Another user added, "Cindy's is Elkridge...the casino is not."
Some said the sign should identify the casino as being in Hanover, where it is located, in Anne Arundel County.
David Buck, the State Highway Administration's spokesman, told Patch that the current signage "makes sense," and here's why.
Q: Why does “Maryland Live! Casino” share a sign with “Elkridge”?
A: The goal of any sign is to provide clear information to motorists. The sign on I-95 provides the specific exit (43A) to use off of I-95 south to get to both Elkridge and the Maryland Live! casino. Since motorists access Elkridge off of US 1, which is the first exit east of I-95, it makes sense to include both Elkridge and Maryland Live! casino as logical locations heading east onto MD 100 from I-95 S.
Q: Aren’t green signs normally reserved for locations, not businesses?
A: The green sign color is used since Maryland Live! casino is a destination. Similar signs are in place for FedEx Field off of I-95 in Landover and the Perryville Casino off of I-95 in Cecil County. Blue signs are used for specific services (gas, restaurants).
Q: Did the casino have to meet certain criteria to get on the green sign?
A: Maryland Live! is considered a major traffic generator, with a large proportion of traffic potentially from out of town. There is no “application”; it is standard to provide clear signing on the roads (i.e., MD 295, MD 100, MD 713–Ridge Road, I-95) to direct traffic to specific destinations. There were 10 new signs added on the roads mentioned...to direct motorists to the new Maryland Live! casino, a major traffic generator that sits immediately off of two SHA maintained roads, MD 100 and MD 295.
Q: Have you heard from motorists that there has been confusion about the sign?
A: No. We did receive one call from a citizen that was upset about their perception that Elkridge was associated with the casino.
Q: Who should citizens contact to discuss the sign further?
A: If anyone would like to contact SHA, they can do so by logging onto www.roads.maryland.gov then clicking on the "Contact Us" button on the left and filling out a simple non-emergency customer request form.
emcee
7:05 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
driving by yesterday on my way home, I'm glad the trees are on my side, because some branches are growing to try to hide signage flaunting the embarrassment that is the casino. thank you trees.
Bernie Trenary
7:53 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I'm a HUGE opponent of the casinos and refuse to go near Arundel Mills these days BUT this is just nitpicking! If you drive you SHOULD KNOW that if there is a so-called attraction bringing in visitors (or in this case GAMBLERS!) from miles away, road signs are created to direct traffic; NOT to advertise. Think IKEA; maybe even Arundel Mills (aren't there signs on the Parkway--I seem to recall them). How about Six Flags or even FedExField? Get these people where they're going rather than have them driving around dazed and confused on their cell phones creating traffic snarls and hazards!
Some Dude
6:47 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
I totally agree with you. It's a sign. Everyone should just get over it and worry about more important things.
D
9:44 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
I agree, sign on highways are for information purpose only one should not conclude nepotism about it I am sure if small business in Elkridge generate traffic in millions then state will be oblige to put sign and more traffic light for that small business for safety of drivers.
Dean Smith
9:25 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Hey Bernie and Everyone!! I have never seen not one sign which directs people from any major highway to Arundel Mills Mall. Like you , I am a HUGE opponent of the casino. I do not believe Cordish should get special treatment by having Casino signs made and placed by the state, especially since to numerous people, large malls are also considered destinations. Finally, I cannot believe SHA has not heard any getting lost with their existing signs on I-95 given that they seem to indicate that the casino is in Elkridge.
janice oliver
7:24 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Hey! I'm sure everyone will want to buy a house in Elkridge now that we have a casino! NOT
Mr. Drew
7:49 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
See, in many places they build factories to make stuff and the community creates wealth. Here in Maryland, we build casinos, which make losers and create poverty. The casino is a loser factory. You see "Casino" and you think loser. Nobody wants to see Elkridge on a sign for a loser factory.
Elkridge Dweller
8:58 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
To me it angers me because Elkridge is Howard county and the Casino is Anne Arundel. They may share the same strech of road but NOT county!!!
Mark Parkison
11:51 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Anne Arundel County voted permission for the casino. Howard residents had no say and now we are associated with it. Moreover, the sign was already confusing enough since Elkridge is on both sides of 95, not just eastward. If traffic needs to be directed to the casino as a destination, direct it to AA county and leave Elkridge out of it.
djp952
9:05 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
So how do we change it folks? I was the one person that called them. What's the next step? I don't think telling them that 75% of Patch poll voters don't like it will be sufficient :-(
JP
9:50 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
I suggest that if you want it changed you ask SHA how much it would cost and then you go raise that money. I would rather not see more state funds wasted because some are offended by a simple sign on the interstate that correctly states which exit to take to get to 2 locations.
Concerned Elkridgean
10:57 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
You can contact the SHA and make a complaint. I talked to someone at the SHA who said that they had one complaint and was looking into redesigning the sign so that the Casino a small sign on the same sign post. I suggest that you also complaint too our representatives!
Elizabeth Janney
7:22 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
The SHA verified that it is considering modification and provided us with a picture: http://elkridge.patch.com/articles/modification-of-95-elkridge-casino-sign-ahead
Elle
1:38 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Personally, I could care less about the sign. Its not hurting me or anyone else. I think its silly that so many people are so mad about it. Not to put you down, but really? That's the thing you want to complain about? lol
Dave A.
5:02 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Cordish didn't get the sign. The State of Md. put that up to direct people to the casino for their $$$..
But really, What is the big deal? I ride up and down the road almost every day and see home made signs for yard sales, help wanted, homes for sale etc.. What is the big deal?
Now if the sign was in multi colors, with flashing lights jugglers and clowns then I might have something to say about it. LOL!
Dean Smith
9:48 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
It bothers me because I feel there should not be any Maryland Live Casino signs anywhere!! I worked to stop Cordish for locating the casino at the mall and during the process, I could see he was getting preferential treatment from Anne Arundel County and other local officials as well as other in the business community. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking at all state signs on the highways and getting mad at some of them. I'm just stating that if Cordish can get state signs placed on highways, why not large businesses like Arundel Mills Mall which has proven to be a popular destination? What criteria is used to determine if a location is a destination?
Jack
11:49 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
What a bunch of whiners on this site. Boo hoo, theres a sign for the casino, no one going to the casino gives a damn about Elkridge being listed on the sign. I think more people need to worry about their own miniscule lives rather then dwell on a single sign that directs how to get somewhere. Grow up, and deal with it or move, because honestly anyone that spends time complaining about a sign has no life.
Russ DIaz
3:43 am on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Jack, they are still sore about losing the referendum (Question A) in 2010. I, for one, worked HARD to get the site passed, and I am now reaping the rewards! I love the place, and can't wait to go back again! See you there?
Dean Smith
6:59 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
I’ll be honest, I am upset that Question A was passed since the casino is smack in the middle of my neighborhood. Now, it is hard for us to even get out of my neighborhoods. I hope that Maryland Live go out of business. In terms of the sign (which now has been changed), I can understand some people stating that it shouldn’t be no big deal. However, I look at it different because it states to me that the state puts more emphasis on casinos than other businesses.
eeaaa
6:00 am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
http://www.scoachoutletonline.com/ coach outlet online usa coach outlet usa
http://www.newmichaelkorpurses.com/ michael kors outlet
http://www.mk-michaelkoroutlets.com/ michael kors factory outlet
http://www.gucci-shoesoutletfactory.com/ gucci outlet online
http://www.northfaceeoutletonline.net/ north face clearance
http://www.monsteroheadphone.net/ monster beats outlet
http://www.coach-storesonline2013.com/ coach factory outlet online
http://coachsfactoryoutletonline.webs.com/ coach factory outlet online
http://mcoachoutlet.tumblr.com/ coach outlet online coach outlet usa