ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 17, 2008) – Committed to reducing traffic congestion and improving transit, Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the State will move to break one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in Frederick County by widening I-70 between MD 355 and Patrick Street. The Governor also announced he will make a major investment in the MARC Train system that will benefit riders on the Brunswick Line. 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.”          
          
The $55 million project to improve I-70 through Frederick will: add a lane in both directions between MD 355 and Patrick Street; construct a new on-ramp from MD 144 to westbound I-70 to replace the existing on-ramp at Monocacy Boulevard; construct new ramps from I-70 to Reich’s Ford Road; and, make intersection improvements on Patrick Street.           
          
Other highway projects for Frederick County that Governor O’Malley has added to the state’s capital transportation program include: $3 million to replace the Jefferson Pike (MD 180) bridge over the Potomac tributary; $1.5 million to construct a roundabout and improve the flow of traffic at Ballenger Creek Pike (MD 351) and Elmer Derr Road; and, $600,000 to add left turn lanes and make signal improvements at US 40 and MD 17.          
          
Riders on MARC’s Brunswick Line will benefit from the $52 million purchase of new passenger rail cars, $13 million for new locomotives, $13 million in improvements at Union Station in Washington and $16 million in track signal improvements that are specific to the Brunswick Line.           
          
In addition to these local investments, the State has added $56.8 million in capital funding to buy buses and improve facilities used by locally-operated transit systems. Local transit agencies can apply for these funds as part of an annual application process administered by the Maryland Transit Administration. Also, approximately $7 million per year in additional funding will be available for operating assistance. The increase in funding is needed to address rising fuel, insurance and labor costs, but also supports the expansion of services to provide access to employment, medical care and other critical transportation needs.          
          
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          
          
          
# # #