Former State Senator Karen S. Montgomery and the Late Clyde W. Unglesbee Praised as Instrumental Figures in Getting New Roadway Constructed
BROOKEVILLE, MD (October 30, 2023) – Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller joined Senator Craig J. Zucker, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administrator William Pines, state and Montgomery County officials and representatives from the Town of Brookeville today to dedicate MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) Brookeville Bypass to former State Senator Karen S. Montgomery and the late Clyde W. Unglesbee at a road dedication event in historic Brookeville, Montgomery County.
“Senator Montgomery and Mr. Unglesbee never backed down from their commitment to progress for their communities,” said Lt. Governor Miller. As a result of their perseverance, the completed Brookville Bypass will serve the people of Brookville for generation after generation. The road to progress is slow, and it is always under construction, but today, we celebrate the completion of a monumental infrastructure project, thanks to the steadfast determination of two extraordinary public servants.”
The $47 million MD 97 Relocation Project includes a new nearly one-mile (0.7 mile), two-lane highway with bicycle-compatible shoulders between north of Goldmine Road and south of Holiday Drive that bypasses Brookeville. The new stretch of road opened in May 2023.
“The Brookeville Bypass is a testament to the support of the community and two of its most steadfast advocates: Senator Montgomery and Clyde Unglesbee,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Their efforts helped make this project a reality, and the result is a safer, more accessible route that will improve the quality of life in Brookeville and serve residents and commuters for generations to come.”
A resident of Brookeville, the Honorable Karen Montgomery served as a state senator representing Maryland’s 14th District from 2010 to 2016, and prior to that was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2002 to 2010. She has been a longtime advocate of the Brookeville Bypass project and has been eagerly awaiting its completion.
Mr. Unglesbee, who passed away in 2009 at age 89, served as a commissioner to the Town of Brookeville and a life member of the Olney Chamber of Commerce. He was instrumental in getting the bypass on the Olney Master Plan.
“Their commitment to Brookeville residents’ quality of life is evident in Senator Montgomery’s and the late Mr. Unglesbee’s tireless efforts in supporting this vital project,” said Administrator Pines. “This long-awaited alignment ensures that traffic can circumvent the town, enhancing safety for the community and for motorists.”
MD 97 functions as a major north-south commuter route between Montgomery and Howard counties. The bypass project included construction of two bridges – one at Meadow Branch stream and another at Reddy Branch stream – and two single-lane roundabouts. Construction began in 2018.
Montgomery County contributed $10 million to the project. Other partners include Town of Brookeville, the Maryland-National Capital Park Planning Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland Historical Trust.