Maryland will be able to build highways and upgrade its mass transit system because of a federal transportation bill that was recently approved after a two-year delay, state and federal officials say.
With the state scheduled to receive more than $4 billion over the next six years, the construction of the intercounty connector and plans to add rail cars to Metro can proceed, officials say. Numerous other projects across the region will also be funded under the $286 billion bill Congress approved late last month.
Maryland will be able to continue construction on several projects and begin others that have long been in the pipeline. And some of the money will be used to study future endeavors.
"We are talking about projects that reach into every corner of the state," said Robert L. Flanagan, the state transportation secretary.
Maryland will receive $583 million a year for the next six years for highway improvements and construction, and it will get a total of $846 million for mass transit projects. The state was authorized to proceed with what are known as the Bi-County and Corridor Cities transitways.
Also called the Purple Line, the bi-county project would be a Metro line that could eventually connect southern Montgomery County and Prince George's County. The corridor cities project, a proposed light-rail link between Frederick and Shady Grove, was also authorized.
Both projects are now eligible for planning, design and construction money. But because they still must clear legal and funding hurdles, construction wouldn't begin for years.
Other transit projects, most notably the boosting of Metro lines from six to eight cars, will proceed much more quickly. Congress approved $100 million for the Metro cars.
Ragina Averella, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said the money is "a shot in the arm for our ailing highway and transit systems."
"The passage of this bill is critical to Marylanders . . . although it's been a long time coming," Averella said. "We believe this much-needed federal funding will aid in reducing gridlock and the long commutes Marylanders face."
Flanagan said the federal funds will become part of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s six-year, $12 billion transportation plan.
"This bill is the final piece of the puzzle that has been put together by Governor Ehrlich to support both highway improvements and public transit," Flanagan said. Last year, Ehrlich (R) and the General Assembly raised vehicle registration fees by 87 percent to pay for transportation projects.
