ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 17, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced a series of nearly $460 million in transit and highway improvements for Prince George’s County designed to address traffic congestion and both BRAC and non-BRAC related growth. The projects are included in Maryland’s six-year Consolidated Transportation Program.          
          
“Investing in transportation means investing in Maryland’s future,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are moving our State forward with projects that reflect a balanced approach to transportation. We will improve transit, help reduce traffic congestion and preserve the roads, bridges and rails we already have in place. This strong level of investment reflects our shared commitment to expand economic opportunities for Maryland’s families and small businesses, improve public safety and homeland security, and protect our quality of life.”          
          
Today, Governor O’Malley announced the following transportation investments that will positively impact the citizens of Prince George’s County:          
          
• $100 million to move forward with engineering of the Purple Line          
• $52 million for new MARC passenger coaches          
• $100 million for MARC Penn Line improvements          
• $16 million for MARC Camden Line improvements          
• $100 million in dedicated funding for Metro           
• $66 million to construct improved access to the Branch Avenue Metro Station from the Capital Beltway and from Branch Avenue          
• $10 million to construct a streetscape in Hyattsville along Queens Chapel Road from East West Highway to Hamilton Street          
• $8 million to construct the needed ramps to provide a full interchange at the Capital Beltway and the Greenbelt Metro Station          
• $7 million in engineering funds to expand traffic capacity along US 1 between University Boulevard and College Avenue          
• $1 million for bus replacement for Prince George’s County’s locally operated transit system, The Bus          
          
Governor O’Malley has added these projects to the six-year capital transportation program covering the years FY 2008-FY 2013. The six-year program, known as the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), shows statewide investment in transportation will total $10.6 billion. Transportation in Maryland is funded through dedicated revenue sources flowing into the independent Transportation Trust Fund, separate from the state’s General Fund.          
          
An electronic version of the complete FY 2008-2013 Maryland Consolidated Transportation Program will be available later today at the following link:           
http://www.mdot.state.md.us/Planning/Plans%20Programs%20Reports/Programs/CTP%2008-13/Cover_ToC/Table%20of%20Contents          
          
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