Governor Larry Hogan has announced that a $1.97 billion funding package for Maryland roads and bridges would include $160 million for the full dualization of MD 404 from US 50 to the Denton Bypass, Senate Minority Whip Steve Hershey (R-36-Upper Shore), a long time advocate of the plan, rejoiced, “I couldn’t be any happier about this announcement. Once again, Governor Hogan and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Pete Rahn have listened to citizen concerns, understood the problem and set a course to solve it. That is leadership.”
Dualizing 404 has been a high priority for both Caroline County officials, the Upper Shore Senator, and the 36th District delegation, but not simply to alleviate congestion on the artery. The Minority Whip said, “Over the years 404 has claimed the lives of dozens of motorists, making it one of the state’s most dangerous roads. Dualization has become a necessity to ensure safe travel into and out of Caroline County.
Tracing his personal support of the project back to the 2013 Consolidated Transportation Program meeting between MDOT, County, and State officials, the Upper Shore senator recounted, “It amazed me at the time, that MDOT did not have a plan to complete the dualization of 404. All along, the plan was to fund the expansion one piece at a time. This was unsatisfactory. In response, during the following 2014 session, to attract attention to the project, I introduced legislation that would accelerate the construction process and highlighted the inadequacy of the piecemeal approach. I am ecstatic to see that today’s announcement throws the old approach out the window and commits to doing the project the way it should be done, at one time.” MDOT advises that construction will start in Spring 2017.
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