FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Six-Year Program Includes the ICC and 123 Major New Projects
Focus of Investment is on Safety, Congestion Relief, Better Transit and Community Enhancement
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Committed to improving the quality of life across Maryland, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today announced a record $12.3 billion investment in transportation for the years 2005 to 2010. The historic six-year program includes funding for the Intercounty Connector and 123 major new projects to address transportation needs statewide.
"Today, we are making history with the largest transportation investment Maryland has ever enjoyed," said Governor Ehrlich. "Last session, I reached across the aisle for common sense solutions to our transportation challenges. We were able to pass a funding package that provides the first new state money for transportation in over a decade. Now, we are moving forward with projects to improve safety and reduce congestion in every corner of the state."
The vast majority of new projects are made possible due to passage of Governor Ehrlich's transportation funding package during the 2004 General Assembly. The package provides an additional $238 million a year for the state's Transportation Trust Fund.
As part of today's announcement, Governor Ehrlich also announced 11 new projects totaling $143 million were added to the capital program. These projects include a new interchange at I-95 and MD 24 in Harford County, the "Lusby Connector" in Calvert County, some bridge improvement projects, and design funds for the next phase of improvements: on the north side of the Baltimore Beltway, safety improvements/widening of US 113 and MD 404 on the Eastern Shore, and the widening of MD 5 between the Capital Beltway and US 301.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Please find attached a list of the 11 new projects and the complete list of 123 new projects added.