Md. Transportation Secretary Reports "Good News" About State's Economy

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Oct. 7, 2010


Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley said she had "a little bit of good news to share" during her department's annual meeting with Garrett County officials and residents last Friday morning at the courthouse in Oakland.

Each fall, transportation and highway officials visit every county in the state to present their six-year Consolidated Transportation Program draft and to review local issues.

Swaim-Staley said Maryland had a "good summer." She pointed to such recent "transportation indicators" as increases in passenger counts at BWI Airport, goods moving through the Port of Baltimore, commercial traffic going through Maryland toll facilities, and vehicle titling tax revenue as signs the state's economy is improving.

"We anticipated there would be a turnaround, and we are seeing that," the secretary said. "So, hopefully, we can grow, based upon that good news."

She noted that two years ago her capital budget was cut by 30 percent, or $2.5 billion. But $650 million in stimulus funding enabled the DOT to keep up with its safety and systems preservation programs.

Swaim-Staley said $8 million of that federal money was used for highway improvements on state roads in Garrett County. The county itself received $1.2 million for its resurfacing projects. Garrett Transit was awarded $.5 million for transportation.

Neil Pedersen, state highway administrator, reported that the Rt. 219/Oakland bypass project was still on hold until the economy improves. He noted that all the planning for the 2.4-mile project was completed, while the engineering portion was 85 percent finished.

Pedersen added that all but three properties needed for the project have been purchased.

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