Magic Tunnel Car Wash

Originally Published: May 31, 2024

New Location in California

A new Magic Tunnel Car Wash, with 35 vacuum stations and 8 additional parking spaces, is coming to the corner of Route 235 and California Blvd, adjacent to Texas Roadhouse. The Planning Commission approved this project in August 2022. John Gott of 235 Associates LLC, the owner of the project, explained the carwash is automatic and after exiting patrons have the ability to use the vacuum stations.

The traffic study noted the intersection of Route 235/Route 4 will operate at an “F” level of service under identified future conditions. Although the carwash won’t make the problem worse, 235 Associates LLC agreed to pay a fee-in-lieu of traffic mitigation. “The County has a fund established for the cost of right-of-way acquisition necessary to construct the SHA interchange project,” the study wrote. 235 Associates LLC paid $20K to this fund. The property is the last one on northbound 235 before the potential location for an exit ramp heading towards Solomons, according to owner John Gott. (The future interchange project is also the reason for the empty land in front of Harris Teeter).

Abell House Lane will be extended to meet California Blvd, part of a larger plan for the County to create a pass-through road, like FDR Blvd, from Shady Mile Drive to Route 4. Projects I’ve previously written about, like the Honda Dealership (article link in comments) at the Route 4 intersection, will help make this connection. As a condition of approval, a sign must be posted to alert drivers exiting the car wash to turn leftto avoid a no-outlet neighborhood. Drivers can enter the carwash from Abell House Lane, and SHA is reviewing a permit for right-in only access from 235.