Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn offered the Administration’s support for restoring local Highway User Revenues (HUR) during an annual transportation meeting held with Wicomico County officials. During the meeting, officials also expressed the need for a third bay crossing. Secretary Rahn commented that they are looking at options for a third bay crossing, but the “state is still far from a decision.”

As reported in The Salisbury Daily Times,

In addition to a possible third Chesapeake Bay crossing, Rahn also told local officials that Gov. Larry Hogan supports the return of highway user revenues to counties and municipalities.

Money from the state gas tax and motor vehicle fees that once was shared with jurisdictions across the state to pay for road repairs was cut by the legislature following the recession. As a result, counties and towns have been forced to either defer maintenance on local roads or find other funding sources to pay for the work.

“It was probably one of the biggest hits to the Eastern Shore,” said Sen. Adelaide C. Eckardt, R-37. “We’re appreciative of any incremental return to our communities.”

Restoring HUR has been a MACo priority for the past several years.