Transportation Act advances start of project which will support nearly 50 jobs
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 11, 2013) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced $3.7 million in transportation investments following the passage of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act to start construction of a new roundabout at MD 822 (University of Maryland Eastern Shore Boulevard) and MD 675 (Somerset Avenue) in Princess Anne, Somerset County. This project will support nearly 50 jobs and construct a long-awaited safety improvement project for the Eastern Shore.
“Thanks to the better choices we've made to pass the Transportation Act, we can continue to create jobs for our families and advance crucial safety projects like this roundabout across the State,” said Governor O’Malley.
Construction of the roundabout is scheduled to begin in late fall 2013. In order to enhance pedestrian safety, this project also will provide new sidewalks along MD 675 from the roundabout to MD 362 (Mt. Vernon Road). Additionally, the project includes drainage improvements and modernizing stormwater treatment facilities.
“The UMES-Somerset Avenue Roundabout Project demonstrates how our citizens, towns, counties and the state government achieve success by working together,” said Senator Jim Mathias. “In this project, years of pedestrian safety concerns, as well as traffic issues affecting the residents of Princess Anne and students of UMES, and serious storm water management issues that have been problematic to the region for many years have been remedied. I’m very pleased of our accomplishments and grateful the funds have been made available for this project to become a reality.”
When complete in fall 2014, the new roundabout will enhance the safety of pedestrian and motorists traveling to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), which has approximately 4,500 students. Motorists will continue to have access along UMES Boulevard while the roundabout and related utility work is underway.
“These long-awaited and critical safety improvements are celebrated by all of us who call Princess Anne our home,” said Delegate Charles Otto. “For more than 20 years, this has been a priority, and I applaud everyone who worked to get the funding to move this project forward.”
The roundabout project will require moving several water and sewer lines. The Town of Princess Anne has applied for a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant from the state to cover the cost of moving the local utility lines to enable the project to move forward. The total cost of the roundabout and sidewalk improvements, including right-of-way, design and construction, is $4.1 million.
“Princess Anne is a growing community and infrastructure sits at the top of our list of things to get done,” said Garland Hayward, President of the Princess Anne County Commissioners. “On behalf of all of Princess Anne and UMES, I can’t express how grateful we are to the State for making these much needed safety improvements possible.”
“Improved access to our campus and the safety of our students, who must walk along roads with no sidewalks, have been long-standing concerns of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore,” said UMES President Juliette Bell. “We are delighted that this project will be underway soon and extremely grateful to Governor O’Malley and the State for making this funding possible.”
Together with the members of the General Assembly, Maryland passed the historic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013 during the recent legislative session, which support more than 57,200 jobs and invest an average of $800 million a year at full implementation for transportation projects, and a total of $4.4 billion over the next six years (FY 2014 - FY 2019), to enable Maryland to build a sustainable, 21stcentury transportation system. These better choices already have yielded better results for Marylanders. Recently, Governor O’Malley announced more than $1.5 billion in new funds to advance highway and transit projects throughout the State, including construction of major highway and bridge projects that will improve safety and support economic development.
BS, this is what we get for higher gas taxes. I'll take cheaper gas over a round about at UMES any day.
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing that the so called conservatives are also on board with this gigantic waste of tax payer money. 3 1/2 million dollars would do a lot more good in the hands of those who earned it.
A roundabout to do what there is no problem at that intersection what a waste some sidewalks I understand but a 3.5 million dollar roundabout you got to be kidding me
ReplyDeleteIt will take the people down there 3 years to figure out how to use it.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for development, but 3million+ to lay some concrete, brick, and grass. I smell kickback!!
ReplyDeleteYou can rest assured that the local Somerset County 'good ole boys' are licking their lips and seeing dollar signs.
ReplyDelete5:32pm You seem to smell kickback all the time. Go blow you nose.
ReplyDeleteA round about for UMES..but cant find money to build an overpass at RT12 & Rt 113 in Snow Hill to drastically cut down on the fatal and non fatal crashes at the intersection..What a JOKE!!
ReplyDeleteyet it took decades to allot money for much needed traffic light on 113 south outside sno hill.
ReplyDelete