(11/1) Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn met with Frederick County officials to discuss the Draft FY 2020-2025 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), which details the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) draft six-year capital budget.

The meeting was part of MDOT’s annual tour of 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City to update local officials and the public on the Hogan administration’s $15.3 billion investment over the next six years in transit, highways, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA. Officials also discussed the Maryland Transportation Authority’s additional $3.1 billion investment in Maryland’s toll roads and bridges.

"We have delivered a record program in record time and will continue improving our services to Marylanders," said Secretary Rahn.

In 2015, the Hogan Administration outlined a program of historic investment in infrastructure. Over the last four years, MDOT has completed 1,069 projects totaling nearly $5.9 billion.

Secretary Rahn and other MDOT officials outlined key updates on transportation investments in Frederick County and across Maryland. Statewide, there are 718 airport, highway, transit, port, bicycle, and MDOT MVA projects underway, with a value of $7.2 billion.

The secretary announced an increase in funding through Highway User Revenues (HUR), made possible by bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Larry Hogan last year. Frederick County will receive $7,286,799 through HUR this year, an increase of $1,020,532 over last year’s allocation. In addition, $77,553 in highway safety grants will benefit programs offered through the Frederick Police Department and the Frederick County Health Department.

Secretary Rahn reminded officials to discuss ways to reduce congestion on Interstate 270 between I-370 in Gaithersburg and I-70 in Frederick. MDOT SHA and the Federal Highway Administration are evaluating potential solutions as part of Gov. Hogan’s I-495/I-270 P3 Program. For more information, visit 495-270-p3.com.

MDOT SHA discussed several Frederick County projects, including completion of the park-and-ride at US 15/Monocacy Boulevard. The park-and-ride is the last piece of the $74 million US 15 interchange.

MDOT SHA Administrator Slater offered an update on the I-270 Innovative Congestion Management project, which involves infrastructure improvements and intelligent transportation solutions in the I-270 corridor. The $131 million project is designed to improve commute times, and includes ramp meters to control flow, which keeps traffic moving. Next spring, MDOT SHA will activate the southbound ramp meter at MD 80 and other locations.

He also reported on the completion of $2.3 million in repairs on US 40 Alternate between Fern Lane and Ridge Road. The repairs were necessary following severe weather in 2018. Crews are also completing construction of a $5 million roundabout on MD 180 at Mt. Zion Road.

MDOT SHA recently completed work on projects including the US 15 bridge over MD 26 in Frederick and the MD 478 bridge in Knoxville. Another project, upgrading the MD 140 bridge over Flat Run in Emmitsburg, will be complete by the end of the year.

MDOT SHA is continuing work on the $87 million I-270 interchange reconstruction at MD 85, and is installing J-turns as a safety measure on US 15 between Hansonville Road and Hessong Bridge Road, and US 15 between Orndorff Road and College Lane. Another project, to be completed by the end of 2020, will provide an auxiliary lane along southbound US 15 from MD 26 to Motter Avenue.

Administrator Slater announced a $208,000 grant award to help the county design a two-mile trail along the Frederick and Pennsylvania Line Railroad corridor between Monocacy Boulevard in Frederick and Fountain Rock Park in Walkersville. MDOT is working on other bicycle and pedestrian projects using Transportation Alternatives and Recreation Trails programs. These include: phase four of the Ballenger Creek Trail; the East Street Rails with Trails; and the Golden Mile Multimodal Access project.

MDOT MTA is also awarding the county $24,000 through the Statewide Transit Innovation Grant program to conduct an inventory of TransIt bus stops. This will help prioritize stops for upgrades associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For fiscal year 2020, MDOT MAA will provide $325,449 for its runway extension project and new snow removal equipment for the Frederick Municipal Airport.

Each fall, MDOT presents its draft six-year capital program for review and comment. Meetings are held at locations in all 23 Maryland counties. Following input from the jurisdictions, MDOT prepares a final budget to present to the General Assembly in January.