As reported by the Gazette, Governor O’Malley held a press conference recently in Montgomery County to announce $1 billion in new transportation projects planned for the county.
The lion’s share of funding, $680 million, will go to the Purple Line, a 16-mile light rail line planned to connect Bethesda and New Carrollton. Other projects, like the Corridor Cities Transitway, Ride On Bus system and road improvements, will see smaller cash commitments from the state.
Led by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), Montgomery pushed for an increase in the statewide gasoline tax in the 2013 legislative session. It sought a cash commitment from the state to the $2.2 billion Purple Line as well as the Corridors Cities Transitway — a 15-mile bus rapid transit line that will connect Clarksburg to the Shady Grove Metro Station, estimated to cost $545 million.
Other projects include:
- $125 million to construct a new interchange along I-270 at Watkins Mill Road
- $85 million for Montgomery’s Ride On Bus system
- $25 million to relocate a section of Md. 97 (Georgia Avenue) to bypass the Town of Brookeville
- $7 million to build interchanges at U.S. 29 and Musgrove Road and at U.S. 29 and Fairland Road
- $3 million to design the widening of Md. 124 (Woodfield Road) from Midcounty Highway to south of Airpark Road
- $3 million for planning to evaluate possible improvements in the Md. 28/Md. 198 corridor between Md. 97 and I-95
