ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 17, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced a series of nearly $470 million in transit and highway improvements for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County:          
          
• $100 million to move forward with engineering of the Purple Line          
• $80 million to move forward with engineering of the Corridor Cities Transitway          
• $63 million to construct a new interchange at Georgia Avenue and Randolph Road          
• $52 million for new MARC passenger coaches          
• $16 million for MARC Brunswick Line improvements          
• $100 million in dedicated funding for Metro          
• $45 million in BRAC-related improvements to Bethesda area roads          
• $5 million in engineering funds for a new interchange at I-270 and Watkins Mill Road          
• $5 million for bus replacements for Montgomery County’s locally operated transit system, Ride-On and $5 million annually to support operations for Ride-On          
• $3 million in planning funds to improve traffic capacity and pedestrian safety on Georgia Avenue from I-495 to 16th Street.          
          
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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