Governor Ehrlich, announced funding to begin on two key transportation projects in the region and funding for community enhancement projects in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties.
$2.2 million has been added to the transportation budget to begin planning for the addition of a second span of the Thomas Johnson Memorial Bridge and safety improvements along MD 5 in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County.
“Southern Maryland is one of the most dynamic regions in the State,” said Governor Ehrlich. “To preserve the quality of life while taking advantage of the opportunities before us, we need to begin work on these transportation projects that are vital to the future of Southern Maryland.”
The Thomas Johnson Bridge carries MD 4 over the Patuxent River and Town Creek. The 29-year old bridge carries two lanes of traffic between growing Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. With traffic projected to double over the next 15 years, $1.5 million will be added to the transportation budget to study the potential for a second span. Routine traffic backups occur during peak hours associated with shift changes at the Patuxent River naval facility.
It was also announced that funds will be added to study the possible widening of MD 5 (Three Notch Road) between MD 243 and MD 245 in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County. MD 5 is a four-lane roadway that carries motorists through the historic area of Leonardtown. Today, motorists have difficulty turning from the side streets onto MD 5 due to limited sight distance and congestion. The $750,000 study includes proposed improvements such as the addition of a center turn lane, new sidewalk and right-turn-only lanes.
Governor Ehrlich also provided an update on the Waldorf Bypass study in Charles County. He announced the Maryland Department of Transportation will use the “Principals +1” approach that was used with the Intercounty Connector project in the Washington metropolitan area. The “Principals +1” approach brings all the federal and state environmental and regulatory agencies together earlier in the planning of a project to identify challenges and develop solutions that will allow the project to move forward.
In addition to today’s transportation announcements, Governor Ehrlich presented three Community Legacy Award grants to communities in Southern Maryland. They include:
Calvert County:
$100,000 grant to the Town of North Beach for the Chesapeake Avenue Underground Utilities Project Phase II. This funding is to assist the relocation of overhead electric, telephone and cable to an underground duct on Chesapeake Avenue.
Charles County:
$70,000 grant to the Commissioners of Charles County for the Heathcote Road Community Revitalization. This funding is to assist the redesign and construction of aesthetically attractive and easily maintainable trash enclosures and replacement of the retaining wall.
St. Mary’s County:
$200,000 grant to the Commissioners of Leonardtown for the Leonardtown Wharf. This funding is to assist the ongoing renovation of the Leonardtown Wharf that is to be developed as a mixed-use development to include a public waterfront part, housing, retail and office space.
“This Community Legacy Award funding puts real dollars in the hands of these three communities, making Southern Maryland an even better place to live, work and raise a family,”
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