La Plata, MD – Proposed Metro stations at Waldorf and White Plains remain the top transportation priority for Charles County, according to a letter approved by the Charles County Commissioners Tuesday, March 22 for the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Jason Groth, chief of Resource and Infrastructure Management, said the letter asks Pete K. Rahn, secretary for the Maryland Department of Transportation, to place the proposed Metro station in the state’s Consolidated Transportation Program.
“We will also be asking for additional funds, $20-$25 million, which is the funding necessary to get it to the next milestone,” Groth stated.
“As an expression of regional support, the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland has consistently designated this project as the number one regional transit priority for Southern Maryland,” the letter stated.
The project has also received the support of Senator Benjamin Cardin and the Federal Transit Administration, according to Groth.
Accommodating high-capacity transit service in the Route 5 and U.S. 301 corridor from Charles County to Branch Avenue will help preserve highway capacity, manage congestion, enhance local mobility, facilitate shorter commutes, and focus job opportunities, economic development and investment opportunities near transit, the letter stated.
“After the environmental analysis is complete, we are asking that they approve funding for alignment mode and design of the project,” Groth added.
He stated that the county is working in close coordination with Prince George’s County, which approved a resolution in 2011 to promote the project.
Groth said the letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation included a notation on the Governor Harry Nice Bridge.
“We suggested funding efforts and the right of way final design or construction to encourage Maryland and Virginia to find funding solutions to complete the project,” he added. “We’d also like to add in our federal partners, in that we’re not limiting ourselves to state funding.”
“You included Virginia,” Commissioner Ken Robinson [D-District 1]. “What role does Virginia play?”
“We’re suggesting it be a cooperative effort,” Groth answered. “The same argument was placed with Virginia. Maryland does own the shoreline all the way to Virginia. But the bridge does promote interstate commerce, which is beneficial to both states.”
Robinson noted there are three bills in Annapolis concerning the possible replacement span for the 76-year old bridge.
“Should we include those in the letter?” he asked.
“This letter just expresses support,” Groth replied. “This is the letter everyone refers to on our status of things.”
“I definitely agree with you adding the federal component,” Robinson said.
“We have received comments in the past that this last part of the letter was confusing,” Groth said of the attachment to the letter outlining the board’s requests.
“The projects listed in here also have a consistency statement with comprehensive plan as well as a consistency statement with the Maryland Department of Transportation plan,” Groth said.
“I think it would be a good idea to do a lead in on the attachment because it is misleading,” said Charles County Commissioner President Peter Murphy. “I’d like to go on record that the letter does refer to the 2006 transportation plan. I’d like to go on record there may be some changes and do a supplemental letter to what our newly adopted plan would be.”
“Once the comprehensive plan is adopted, we can write another letter,” Groth noted.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
