Maryland House

For the legislative body, see Maryland House of Delegates.
Maryland House
General information
Type Rest area
Location Interstate 95 in Maryland
Coordinates
Current tenants HMS Host Corporation
Completed 1963
Renovated 1987
Design and construction
Owner Maryland Transportation Authority
Website
MTA website

Maryland House is a service area located on Interstate 95 at Mile Marker 81.9.[1][2] It is located on the median of I-95 and can be accessed by both northbound and southbound traffic. It is approximately 24 miles north of Baltimore in Harford County, Maryland. Maryland House offers food, fuel, auto repair services, and a traveler information center to motorists.[3][4] It also includes a full-service business center including phone jacks for portable computers and postal service.[1] Maryland House is the busiest rest area in the United States.[5]

Contents

Overview

Maryland House was opened in 1963 and was renovated in 1987. Wing additions to the Maryland House facility were added in 1989 and 1990. The Maryland House services 2.8 million customers annually.[2] Today, Maryland House is run by the HMSHost Corporation. U.S. Federal law prescribes that rest areas on public (toll-free) interstate highways be maintained by the state, however Maryland was able to obtain an exemption, allowing them to commercialize the Maryland House and Chesapeake House service areas.[6] This exemption was granted due to the fact that the service areas were constructed when the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway was a toll road. Now, Maryland is responsible for the grounds, while the commercial operators absorb the costs of operation. WTOP-FM says that the two commercialized rest-stops bring in $40 million per annum.[7]

Previously, Maryland House had a Bob's Big Boy restaurant, a Mrs. Fields shop, and a cafeteria.

Shops

Maryland House includes several restaurants and a convenience store.[8]


Gas stations

Maryland House also includes two gas stations: an Exxon station at the southern end, and a Sunoco station at the northern end.[13]

Future

Maryland House is expected to receive construction in the near future. These include specifications to meet travel demands in the next 30 years (2030).[14] Recent improvement plans include "new landscaping, resurfacing of parking lots, repaving of ramps, and structural upgrades to the building."[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Maryland Transportation Authority - John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway". http://www.mdta.state.md.us/mdta/servlet/dispatchServlet?url=/TollFacilities/JFKHighway.jsp. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  2. ^ a b "Maryland Transportation Authority - The Maryland House". http://www.i95mdtravelplazas.com/the-maryland-house/12-the-maryland-house. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  3. ^ "State Highway Administration - Maryland Welcome Centers and Rest Areas". http://www.sha.state.md.us/keepingcurrent/maintainRoadsBridges/OED/roads/restarea.asp. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  4. ^ Rosenwald, Michael S. (29 May 2006). "Washington Post - Keeping a Rest Stop in Motion". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/28/AR2006052800793.html. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  5. ^ "Toll authority plods ahead with travel plaza project". The Baltimore Sun. 14 August 2009. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2009/08/toll_authority_plodding_ahead.html. Retrieved 25 February 2010. 
  6. ^ Fisher, Marc (2009-03-31). "Need to Cut Costs, Virginia? Cut Loose Control of Rest Stops". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/30/AR2009033002930.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26. 
  7. ^ Tuss, Adam (2009-07-22). "Rest stops: budget drags or moneymakers?". WTOP. http://www.wtop.com/?nid=30&sid=1722904. Retrieved 2010-02-26. 
  8. ^ "I-95 Exit Guide - Maryland Welcome Centers and Rest Areas". http://www.i95exitguide.com/restareas/maryland.php. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  9. ^ "Phillips Seafood Express Opens at MD House". http://www.phillipsfoodservice.com/index.cfm?fa=iPa.page&page_id=183. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  10. ^ Rosenwald, Michael S. (19 October 2006). "Washington Post - HMSHost Corp. Delivers Famous Famiglia Pizza". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101800952.html. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  11. ^ "Restaurant & Institutions Magazine - 2007 Ranking of the Top 75 Multiconcept Operators". 15 October 2007. http://www.rimag.com/article/CA6521661.html. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  12. ^ "Starbucks Store Locator - Maryland House Travel Plaza". http://www.starbucks.com/Retail/Find/storedetails.aspx?sid=96523&coords=21001. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  13. ^ "Department of Legislative Services - Fiscal and Policy Note - Gasoline Service Stations on Kennedy Highway". 2006. http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/fnotes/bil_0005/sb0285.pdf. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  14. ^ "I-95 Project Update". June 2007. http://www.mdta.state.md.us/mdta/I95section200/linked_files/I-95_Project_Update_060707.pdf. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  15. ^ "I-95 Master Plan". April 2003. http://www.mdta.state.md.us/mdta/I95section200/linked_files/i95_master_plan.pdf. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 

External links