Nearly $150 Million Investment by State and Federal Government Moves Key Baltimore Area Transportation Projects Forward in 2014, Supporting Nearly 1,600 Jobs
Officials Announce Start of Two Baltimore Beltway Improvement Projects and Nearly $7 Million in New Funds for Two Baltimore County Projects
Columbia, Md. (May 29, 2014) – Today, Transportation Secretary James T. Smith, Jr., and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman were joined by Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer, Senator James N. Robey, Delegate Guy J. Guzzone, Speaker Pro Tem Delegate Adrienne A. Jones, Howard County Council Vice Chair Courtney Watson, Baltimore County Councilwoman Vicki Almond and other state and local officials to break ground on a $32.7 million project to widen three miles of northbound US 29 from Seneca Drive to south of MD 175 in Howard County. Howard County provided $2 million to advance the widening project, which is the first major project funded by the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013 to begin construction in the county. The groundbreaking marks the start of construction for several important 2014 transportation solutions in the Baltimore Region.
“One year after signing the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, we are delivering major Baltimore area transportation projects that will relieve congestion, improve safety and create jobs,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “US 29 is a vital roadway connecting and strengthening the economic development opportunities of the Baltimore and Washington regions. Breaking this bottleneck in Howard County will enhance travel and commerce along this highway, and allow families to spend more time together and less time stuck in traffic. I want to thank County Executive Ulman for contributing County funds to help us advance this project.”
At today’s groundbreaking, Secretary Smith also outlined other key transportation projects that are set to move forward in the Baltimore region this year as a result of $148 million in transportation investments by the State and Federal Government. These investments will support nearly 1,600 local jobs.
“Thanks to our strong partnership with local governments and members of our Congressional Delegation, these Baltimore area projects are moving forward,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “Transportation investments drive economic development, create jobs, reduce congestion and support Maryland’s growing economy, which is why we worked hard to pass the Transportation Act to ensure a sustainable funding source for generations to come.”
“World-class communities need world-class infrastructure, and these projects will mean a better quality of life for the Baltimore region and all of Maryland,” said Howard County Executive Ulman. “It means we can be more productive in our careers. It means we can get to our kids’ practices and games on time. It means more quality time for families. As a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding, I know that the decision to move ahead with this program was not easy. I commend Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown for their leadership, and I thank the members of the General Assembly who approved these important investments in our future.”
"The Beltway serves essentially as Baltimore County's 'Main Street,' providing access to our major employment centers, neighborhoods and critical institutions," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. "We greatly appreciate the state's continued investment in the region's infrastructure as we continue to grow our local economy and enhance quality of life for everyone who lives, works and plays in Baltimore County."
Today’s announcement highlights the O'Malley-Brown Administration's ongoing commitment to building a more modern transportation infrastructure in the Baltimore region with projects getting under construction this year and new funding for several other priority projects on the horizon. Transportation project milestones for the Baltimore region in 2014 include:
Groundbreakings (All made possible with Transportation Act funds)
• $32.7 million -- US 29 Northbound Widening and Sound Wall Construction;
• $8.75 million -- MD 32 Widening;
• $30-$35 million -- I-695 Improvements from MD 147 to MD 41; and
• $65-$70 million -- I-695 at Leeds Avenue / US 1 Interchange Improvements and Bridge Replacements.
New Funding
• $5 million in Design Funds for I-795 Widening and Dolfield Road Interchange; and
• $1.7 million in Design Funds for MD 140 Widening in Owings Mills.
“Today’s US 29 groundbreaking is another major milestone in the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s ongoing efforts to create jobs and to enhance Maryland’s economic competitiveness,” said Transportation Secretary Smith. “Work to widen US 29 and MD 32 and upgrade portions of the Baltimore Beltway will help hundreds of thousands of motorists get to where they need to go safely and efficiently. I’m also pleased we were able add funds to our capital program to advance Baltimore County’s top two transportation priorities.”
"These projects will provide a welcome relief for area residents and travelers in the Baltimore region,” said Senator Kasemeyer. “From US 29 to the Baltimore Beltway interchanges, the Transportation Act is delivering projects that will enhance safety and better serve these busy corridors.”
The passage of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013 enabled the Maryland Department of Transportation to add $4.4 billion in new projects to create the largest six-year capital budget in Maryland history at $15.6 billion. Over the spring and summer months, the State will continue to review project needs and make investment decisions before developing an updated draft six-year transportation budget to be published this fall.
“Legislative inattention over the last two decades has resulted in a backlog of more than $50 billion in planned highway and transit infrastructure projects,” said Senator Robey. “Maryland traffic congestion is ranked among the worst in the nation, and this undertaking will go a long way towards reducing traffic congestion, improving our roads, and promoting public safety.
“Due to our location in central Maryland, Howard County plays a critical role in movement throughout the state,” Delegate Guzzone. “This is the kind of investment that will support both businesses and commuters.”
“The new design funding for the I-795 / Dolfield Road Interchange and MD 140 provide us great momentum to keep investing in these important transportation enhancements and upgrades that will improve traffic flow and spur economic development for Baltimore County,” said Delegate Jones said.
While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones. For Everyone!
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