230                              Laws of Maryland                       [Ch. 180

Whereas, State Roads Commission figures now show that a sub-
stantial number of motorists by-pass this section of highway by
using the Pennsylvania Turnpike north of this highway between
Hancock and the Pennsylvania line in Garrett County and the figures
further show that when the Interstate System of Highways is com-
plete an even greater number of motorists will use Pennsylvania
highways instead of this Maryland road between Hancock and the
Pennsylvania line, and

Whereas, This diversion of traffic and the resulting loss of gaso-
line tax revenue is adversely affecting the amount of money the
State Roads Commission has to spend for highway improvements
and maintenance and in addition is working a hardship on the eco-
nomic welfare of the western Maryland counties involved, and

Whereas, If affirmative and prompt action is taken to enhance
and make more attractive this scenic and historic route the State
Roads Commission will receive additional motor vehicle revenues
and the areas of western Maryland traversed by this highway will,
through increased traffic, receive great economic benefit, and

Whereas, A major means of accomplishing this desired result is
to provide for the establishment of roadside parks and recreational
areas adjacent to this section of highway in order to attract motorists
and thus prevent the diversion of traffic, and

Whereas, This can be accomplished by cooperation between the
State Roads Commission and the Department of Forests and Parks
jointly working together in acquiring the land necessary for and the
development of parks and recreational areas along this route; now,
therefore,

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 8A be and it is hereby added to Article 89B of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edition), title "State Roads'",
sub-title "In General", to read as follows:

8A. (a) In order to prevent further loss of gasoline tax revenue
caused by the failure of a substantial number of motorists to use
U. S. Route 40 between Hancock and the Pennsylvania line and in
order to promote and enhance the economic welfare of the western-
most counties of Maryland the State Roads Commission is authorized
to acquire by purchase, gift or condemnation not more than ten

parcels of land, each parcel not to exceed an area of twenty acres

adjacent to or near U.S. Route 40 between Hancock in Washington
County and the Pennsylvania line in Garrett County for the purpose
of providing areas suitable for roadside parks and recreational areas,
provided REAL PROPERTY OR ANY INTEREST IN SUCH
PROPERTY ADJACENT TO OR NEAR U. S. ROUTE 40 BE-
TWEEN HANCOCK IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AND THE
PENNSYLVANIA LINE IN GARRETT COUNTY FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PROVIDING AREAS SUITABLE FOR ROAD-
SIDE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS, PROVIDED
THAT SUCH AUTHORIZATION SHALL BE LIMITED TO TEN
ROADSIDE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS EACH NOT
TO EXCEED AN AREA OF TWENTY ACRES, AND PROVIDED
FURTHER THAT no such area shall be acquired by the State Roads