(September 30, 2010) -  At today’s annual meeting with local officials and citizens to discuss the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) six-year capital transportation plan, Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley announced Governor Martin O’Malley has approved funding for a $4.7 million project to improve I-70 in Washington County.       

The project will resurface and add guardrails along four miles on I-70 between the Frederick County line and MD 66 (Mapleville Road).  More than 58,000 vehicles, including 15 percent trucks travel this section of I-70 every day, which was last resurfaced in 1997.  The pavement is in fair condition with moderate cracking and rutting and is in need of repair.  The project will begin next spring and should be completed mid-summer 2011, weather permitting.

“Governor O’Malley has made safety on our highways a top priority,” said Secretary Swaim-Staley.  “Working with our federal partners, we have identified funding to move forward with this important project.  Investing in the heavily traveled I-70 corridor through Washington County helps meet Governor O’Malley’s goal of maintaining our existing infrastructure, improving safety and supporting jobs.” 

Each fall, MDOT presents its draft, six-year capital program to every county and Baltimore City for review and comment. It then prepares a final report to present to the General Assembly in January.  The annual tour includes 24 transportation department visits around the State.  Today’s meeting was held at the Washington County Administration Building in Hagerstown.

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