<span>MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MEETS WITH WORCESTER COUNTY OFFICIALS AS PART OF STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION TOUR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Maryland Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs
David Broughton, 410-865-1029
Jim Joyner, 410-865-1030

Officials Outline Six-Year Draft Budget and Provide Key Project Updates

SNOW HILL, MD (September 19, 2023) – Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and other representatives of the Maryland Department of Transportation met today with Worcester County officials to discuss the department's six-year Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program. The spending plan calls for a $21.2 billion, six-year investment to create a safer, cleaner, efficient and accessible transportation system connecting Marylanders to jobs, schools, recreation, health care and essential services.

“Delivering safe, reliable, equitable and sustainable transportation is critical to Maryland's economic health and the vibrancy of neighborhoods across the state. This Draft CTP is inspired by that mission," said Secretary Wiedefeld. “We know there are challenges ahead, and we are committed to fiscal responsibility and collaboration with local communities, stakeholders and elected officials as we deliver the transportation network Marylanders need and deserve."

The Draft Consolidated Transportation Program includes funding to maintain existing transportation facilities, expand transit opportunities, invest in Maryland's economic growth and support the state's long-term goals for mobility, safety, equity, environmental stewardship and economic growth. To view the full Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program, go to ctp.maryland.gov.

The program allocates funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as investment in the transition to zero-emission transit buses and other carbon reduction and resiliency programs, establishing Maryland as national leader in addressing climate goals. The program also includes funding to promote Transit-Oriented Development to spur economic growth in transit corridors, and for projects to support Complete Streets – an initiative to make Maryland's roadways safer and more accessible for all users, and help reduce the number of roadway fatalities and injuries.

The program outlines investments in each mode funded by the Transportation Trust Fund: Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, State Highway Administration and The Secretary's Office, as well as Maryland's investment in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

The plan also includes an additional $2.7 billion investment planned by the Maryland Transportation Authority. Receiving no funds from the Transportation Trust Fund, the Maryland Transportation Authority's toll facilities are fully financed, constructed, operated, maintained, improved and protected with toll revenues paid by customers using those facilities.

At Tuesday's meeting, transportation officials offered details and updates of several projects and programs affecting Worcester County. In addition to Secretary Wiedefeld, officials attending included State Highway Administrator William Pines; Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer; Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Joseph “Joey" Sagal; Maryland Transit Administration Local Transit Support Director Travis Johnston; and Maryland Aviation Administration Regional Aviation Director Ashish Solanki.

State Highway Administrator Pines discussed completion of a traffic signal project to improve safety for drivers accessing US 113 from MD 818 and Germantown Road, and also noted construction of a new signal at MD 589 at the Atlantic General Medical Center in Ocean City to improve access for emergency vehicles.

Administrator Pines also discussed completion of the preliminary study of MD 90 between US 50 (Ocean Gateway) and MD 528 (Coastal Highway). Options for improvements are being evaluated, he said, and $15 million is allocated for planning and preliminary engineering.

Transportation officials also noted other allocations for Worcester County in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program, including:

$3.8 million in operating and capital grants to support transit offered by Shore Transit and the Town of Ocean City;
$93,000 for Ocean City Municipal Airport for a project to remove runway obstructions; and
$86,000 in highway safety grants for local agencies including the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, the Ocean City and Berlin police departments and the Worcester County Health Department.

The Worcester County meeting was the first stop on the Maryland Department of Transportation's tour of all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City to discuss the funding plan and receive input from local officials and the public. The tour continues into November. Dates and locations for upcoming sessions can be found here. The schedule is subject to change and will be updated as needed throughout the process.

Following the tour, the Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program will be finalized and submitted in January for consideration during the 2024 General Assembly session.