Event Kicks Off a Year-Long Celebration to Commemorate 100 Years of Modern Road Building in Maryland           
          
WHO: Governor Harry R. Hughes          
Maryland Transportation Deputy Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley           
Current and Former Congressional and Maryland Legislators          
SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen          
Family and Friends of Governor Hughes          
          
WHAT: Dedication Ceremony of the Southbound I-95 Welcome Center to Former Governor Harry R. Hughes and beginning of a year-long series of events to celebrate 100 years of modern road building —“A Century of Progress.”          
          
WHEN: Monday, January 7, 2008, Noon          
          
WHERE: I-95 southbound Welcome Center          
Southbound I-95 approximately one mile south of MD 32 at Mile Marker 37          
Savage, Maryland 20763          
          
DIRECTIONS:           
          
(From Baltimore) – Take I-95 southbound approximately one mile south of MD 32          
(exit 38).           
          
(From Washington D.C.) – Take I-95 northbound to MD 32. Use interchange to access southbound I-95. The welcome center is located approximately one mile south of MD 32.          
          
WHY: Between 1970 and 1977, Harry R. Hughes served as Maryland’s first Secretary of the newly formed Maryland Department of Transportation. Through his work as a member of the Maryland General Assembly, Secretary of Transportation and later as Governor, Harry Hughes has been recognized as a key figure in transforming the State’s transportation system to a methodical, transparent, multi-modal service          
          
that put the needs of Maryland’s citizens first. Hughes was elected Maryland’s Governor in a landslide in 1978, and re-elected four years later. For his dedication to solving transportation issues and as a tribute to his concern for the citizens of Maryland throughout his career, Governor Harry Roe Hughes is being honored with the dedication of the I-95 Southbound Welcome Center in his name.           
          
The event officially launches Maryland’s Highway Centennial celebration of modern roads. Governor Hughes serves as the Honorary Chairperson of the centennial celebration. The centennial is shared by a number of organizations since many of the roads and bridges commissioned by the State Roads Commission are presently maintained by the State Highway Administration, counties and the Maryland Transportation Authority.          
          
The commemoration also recognizes the contributions of those in both the public and private sectors, who have dedicated their lives and professions to improving safety and enhancing mobility in Maryland. A centennial celebration website was unveiled last month and can be found at www.mdhighwaycentennial.com.          
          
Attendees will be directed to parking at the event. For special accommodations, please call the SHA Office of Communications at 1-800-323-6742.          
          
          
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