CUMBERLAND — Gov. Larry Hogan’s announcement Thursday on transportation funding brought good news for a major Garrett County project.
New funding of $90 million will be available for design, right of way acquisition and construction to realigning U.S. 219 north of Interstate 68 and constructing a new interchange at I-68. Pending approval from the Federal Highway Administration, the state will break out the project from the larger U.S. 219 study. Construction would begin in the spring of 2018, according to documents released by the governor.
This is tremendous news for us,” said Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards. “As you all know, this is a project that we have been working on for well over a decade and the fact that the governor has prioritized this financially brings it that much closer to fruition,” said Edwards. Quality infrastructure is key to economic development and interstate highways are the conduit for commerce in America, especially in rural areas, Edwards said.
“This new interstate will provide a north/south corridor to partner with our east/west Interstate 68 with Grantsville as the hub. The economic opportunities here cannot be overstated and will allow all of Garrett County greater access to the markets of the Northeast. This is really regional development, as Allegany County will benefit from this project as well as Somerset County,” Edwards said.
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