HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3455

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 737.

This bill mandates that the Maryland Transportation
Authority reconstruct, improve, and maintain a portion of
Route 15 as a transportation facilities project in
conformance with the Trust Agreement dated July 1, 1978,
between the Authority and the Maryland National Bank
securing the Authority's Transportation Facilities Projects
Revenue Bonds, First Series (Refunding).

I acknowledge and agree with the General Assembly's
determination that the reconstruction of Route 15 is a high
priority project. The existing two-lane section is
inadequate in terms of traffic capacity and, more
importantly, is a severe safety problem. It is for this
reason that the Department has given Route 15 the highest
priority it can, given current financial constraints.

Senate Bill 737, however, appears to be based upon a
misconception that the Trust Agreement would permit the
construction of a toll free facility. Officials of the
Department of Transportation and counsel to the
Transportation Authority have reviewed this matter and
advise that the Agreement, which is designed to protect the
interest of the bondholders, would not permit a toll free
facility. The Trust Agreement specifically prohibits toll
free passage, except under limited circumstances, and
requires that toll revenues from each facility be equal to
at least the maintenance and operating costs of that
facility within five years after completion of the road.

In order to comply with these terms. Route 15 would
have to be converted to a fully controlled access toll road.
This would require bridges or interchanges at each
intersecting road, connecting service roads, ramp toll
facilities, and a major toll plaza. The time required to
redesign the highway to meet these specifications, the added
construction costs, and the inconvenience of local residents
would all be substantial if the road were constructed as a
toll facility.

I believe, therefore, that it is preferable to continue
and complete the reconstruction of Route 15 as a normal
State highway, funded by the Transportation Trust Fund,
rather than embark upon a new, uncertain course of action
that would require a toll facility. For these reasons, I am
vetoing Senate Bill 737.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor