Mar. 8, 2012
The Garrett County commissioners signed a resolution on Tuesday pledging to work in partnership with the North South Appalachian Highway Coalition to advocate for the North South Appalachian Highway. Local resident David Moe, a member of the coalition, requested the resolution.
Garrett County’s portion of the multi-state project involves the reconstruction/relocation of U.S. Rt. 219 from I-68 to the Pennsylvania state line (2.54 miles).
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“We’ve designated it as our No. 1 state highway project,” Commission chair Jim Raley noted.
The previous Board of Garrett County Commissioners’ No.1 priority was the Rt. 219 Oakland bypass.
The coalition’s mission is to advance the project, ensuring its completion as the connection transportation corridor from I-68 in Maryland to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Corridor H in West Virginia. Lack of funding has stalled the project for several years. The coalition is calling upon the U.S. Congress to support the completion of the project with continued funding.
The commissioners’ resolution notes that the highway is a critical infrastructure project intended to increase mobility and regional economic development throughout the Appalachian regions of Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
“The lack of progress on the highway has seriously hindered the region’s growth,” the resolution states. “U.S. Route 220 South from I-68 to Corridor H and U.S. Route 219 North from I-68 to I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike would provide the greatest potential for benefiting our Appalachian region and rejuvenating the economy with commercial activity. Improvements in the north-south travel would serve to link the area’s two most east-west transportation facilities, I-68 and Corridor H.”
More here.
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