Transportation investments for County will create 4,000 jobs, reduce traffic congestion, and improve pedestrian safety
SUITLAND, MD (July 8, 2013) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced nearly $650 million in transportation investments for Prince George’s County that will create jobs, reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety. The Governor was joined by key federal, state and county officials, including Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.; Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III; Charles County Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly; Delegate Sally Jameson; Delegate Tawanna Gaines; Delegate Kriselda Valderrama; and Senator Ulysses Currie.
“This past legislative session, we made the better choices to invest in the future of Maryland’s transportation network, allowing us to create more than 57,200 jobs for our hardworking families and rebuild our State’s infrastructure,” said Governor O’Malley. “Today, we are pleased to announce projects in Prince George’s County that will create 4,000 jobs, reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety. Together, we can build the sustainable 21st Century transportation network that a modern economy requires.”
The projects announced today were made possible with funding from the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, which allows Maryland to activate long-term strategies to invest in Maryland’s transportation systems. By putting people back to work in the transportation industry with these new investments, Maryland will create hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and provide Marylanders with the transportation infrastructure necessary to grow and prosper for decades to come.
Today’s announcement provides nearly $650 million in key projects for Prince George’s County, including:
- $100 million to construct an interchange on MD 210 (Indian Head Highway) at Kerby Hill-Livingston Road;
- $50 million to improve access to the Branch Avenue Metro Station by constructing a new pedestrian bridge over MD 5 and a new metro access road (Woods Way) with sidewalks from MD 5 to the Branch Avenue Metro Station and by upgrading existing roadways to include additional turn lanes and sidewalks;
- $7 million to design a full interchange, to upgrade the existing partial interchange, on I-95/I-495 at the Greenbelt Metro Station;
- $150 million to construct a new interchange on MD 4 at Suitland Parkway;
- $20 million to purchase right-of-way for a bicycle, pedestrian and safety improvements along US 1 from College Avenue to MD 193 in College Park;
- $280 million to complete right-of-way acquisition and final design for the Maryland National Capital Purple Line; and
- $26 million to construct pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements and enhance community revitalization efforts along State roadways in Prince George’s County, including:
--$9 million to construct improvements along MD 5 (Branch Avenue) and MD 637 (Naylor Road) near the Naylor Road Metro Station (sidewalks, medians, resurfacing, pedestrian lighting and signal upgrades)
--$6 million to construct improvements along MD 201 (Kenilworth) from Kenilworth Tower to MD 410 (sidewalks, bicycle lane, pedestrian improvements); and
--$11 million to construct improvements along MD 500 (Queens Chapel Road) from MD 208 to MD 410 (sidewalks, crosswalks and traffic “calming” upgrades to slow down traffic).
“Prince George’s County has long needed major infrastructure investments and these projects will finally give us the opportunity to make the most out of the economic development and other opportunities in our County,” said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. “ I look forward to seeing the long-term benefits of these projects for Prince George’s County and our entire state.”
"Our investment in Maryland's transportation network is an investment in building the State's economy," saidSpeaker Michael E. Busch. "Not only will these investments make our transportation system stronger and more reliable in the short-term, but also make our economy and business community more competitive in the long-term."
“On behalf of the residents and stakeholders of Prince George’s County, I thank Governor O’Malley for, once again, investing in the future and potential of our County,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “This generous infusion of funding for our transportation priorities will provide an excellent stimulus towards Prince George’s County becoming the economic engine of the Washington region and the State of Maryland. These infrastructure projects will be the game changers that will create jobs, lead to better transit oriented development, alleviate traffic congestion and improve public safety.”
“Prince George’s County neighborhoods will be safer and local businesses will be more convenient, with improved and more efficient infrastructure,” said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation Infrastructure Subcommittee. “These types of investments continue to pay positive dividends for Maryland communities, helping our economy grow stronger.”
“These public investments create private sector jobs in construction today and prepare Maryland’s infrastructure for the jobs of tomorrow,” said U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski. “These projects are among the most pressing in the region. Maryland can count on me to keep fighting for our state's fair share of federal formula funding to help pay for improvements to our highways, byways and transit systems.”
“Today, Governor O’Malley announced nearly $650 million in infrastructure projects for Prince George’s County that will create approximately 4,000 jobs and make a significant difference for residents, businesses, and commuters in the Fifth District and the surrounding region,” stated U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer. “By improving our roads, working to expand Metro through the Purple Line, and increasing pedestrian access and safety, we can boost our economic competitiveness and long-term growth in Prince George’s County. I applaud the Governor for moving forward with these crucial projects.”
In addition to announcing these top transportation priorities, the O’Malley-Brown Administration also delivered Charles County’s top priority by providing a $5 million Southern Maryland Transit Study to connect Waldorf to the Branch Avenue Metro Station. This study will look to provide more transportation options to residents commuting to Washington, D.C.
Over the summer months, the State will continue to review project needs and make investment decisions. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s draft six-year transportation budget will be published on September 3rd. This budget, known as the Consolidated Transportation Program, will provide a full list of the new projects funded by the Transportation Act. This budget will be posted on MDOT’s website atwww.mdot.maryland.gov.
5 comments:
Follow the MONEY! Where do most of the votes come from, PG & Baltimore Counties. Typical Obama style move. Don't invest in making Rt. 50 wider from Kent Island to Ocean City. Mind you, we all aren't interested in that but the reality of it is, Ocean City pays the 2nd largest amount of taxes in the state and they're only open 7 months out of the year, (so to speak). Ocean City is complaining about the lack of business, especially from people who actually live in the state not visiting OC like they used to. It's a bear driving to Ocean City and the expense is nowhere near worth it any more. Most can go to Disney World for less than they can visiting Ocean City.
PG County is a Mike Miller County, (President of the Maryland Senate). It doesn't surprise me one bit where all of the major funding is heading. Liberals at their best. What do we hear most about PG County, crooked cops and massive and violent deaths/murders. Sounds just like Baltimore, doesn't it?
Joe the total annual traffic volume between the Bay Bridge and Ocean City is not great enough to justify adding more lanes to US-50. Maryland SHA has a long term plan that will replace all the at grade intersection from the US-50 301 split to MD-404 with interchanges.
Ever try to make a left turn from MD-50 eastbound in Cambridge or Easton on a Friday afternoon? It's a long wait because SHA lengthens the MD-50 phase of the signal to accommodate eastbound traffic heading to the beaches.
It should also be noted that good amount of the traffic heading west on US-50 past Queenstown never makes it to Cambridge. Much of it heads to the Delaware beaches via MD-404 or turn off in Easton to make their to Saint Michaels
As one who drives to and from Baltimore from Salisbury ever weekday I know what the traffic is like.
Sand Box John
I agree with you Joe. I live down the street from many of these soon to be projects in PG County. But I completely agree that something needs to be done in regards to the route to OC. I've always thought that another bridge would be necessary in the future. Make a new span from St. Leonard to the Shore near Cambridge. This would alleviate a lot of traffic woes, and would look towards the future growth of both the DC/Baltimore corridor but the Eastern Shore as well. When looking at such a massive project, you can't just look ahead for the next 10-20 years, you have to be well ahead of the curve.
I'd also like to see the speed limit on Rt 50 raised on the Shore side. I'd bump it up to 65 where it goes through the middle of nowhere.
Joe,
Is it able to find a cost comparison between a new bridge span, and your idea of widening Rt 50 from Kent Island to OC? Obviously, both would be massive projects.
@2:02 PM
What happen when a platoon of cars traveling 65 MPH in both lanes comes upon a slow moving farm tractor or combine? At 55 MPH its like running into a plate of Jello.
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