Elkridge Takes Intermodal-Health Workshop by Storm

The day before the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) came to Elkridge, it notified those signed up for its workshop that it would be violating fire code by admitting everyone. Obviously, interest was high.

Seventy-one people showed up at the Elkridge Senior Center on Wednesday evening, during sessions staggered to accommodate the crowd, to learn about the NCHH's study on a proposed train-truck facility and how it could impact their health.

It was the last of the organization's three presentations in the counties where sites are being considered by the state and CSX for a $150 million freight transfer station called an "intermodal" facility.

"The meetings were a huge success," said Ruth Lindberg of NCHH.

One of her group's main objectives was to find out what communities wanted NCHH to study.

"Although it was difficult to get people to prioritize these issues, some common concerns were voiced across all of the meetings, including air quality, traffic and noise," said Lindberg. Stress, mental health, community cohesion and property values were also widespread concerns, she added.

The meetings helped uncover site-specific considerations as well.

Lindberg mentioned the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Prince George's County; the middle school site at Oxford Square in Howard County; and what she called the "cumulative impacts in Jessup and Elkridge from the proposed intermodal facility, the Base Realignment and Closure, and the Arundel Mills casino."

NCHH will fine-tune the scope of its research in April and begin its analysis in May. It plans to complete its research by the fall and submit recommendations to transportation officials in selecting a site for the facility by late 2012.