MDOT SHA) completed its annual Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP) tour of the state's 23 counties and Baltimore City to discuss transportation priorities. (statewideplanning.org photo)

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) completed its annual Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP) tour of the state's 23 counties and Baltimore City to discuss transportation priorities.

The Hogan Administration's investment of $14.7 billion in Maryland's transportation network was briefed to citizens, county leaders and local officials over the course of six weeks to ensure transparency and dialogue with the customers who are affected by MDOT SHA projects in their region.

Maryland's transportation network consists of more than 31,000 mi. of roadway, more than 5,000 bridges and two tunnels providing safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods. Since Gov. Hogan announced his $1.97 billion investment in road and bridge projects in June 2015, MDOT SHA has started 16 of the 22 promised major highway projects.

“The tour lets us really engage with our customers about their transportation priorities and get their feedback,” said Gregory Slater, MDOT SHA administrator. “For us to make the greatest difference and achieve the greatest value for taxpayers, we need that feedback. That is the customer experience.”

Of the 69 structurally deficient bridges the Hogan Administration identified in June 2015, 41 have been rehabilitated or replaced and are no longer structurally deficient. The remaining 28 are in various stages of design and are actively moving toward construction or repair.

MDOT SHA also has paved, treated and improved more than 7,500 lane mi. across the state since early 2015. This represents unprecedented progress and needed attention on Maryland roads.

The 2018 construction season will usher in major projects that will continue to address bridges, paving and safety statewide. Some projects motorists should look out for include widening MD 2/4 (Solomons Island Road) between Fox Run Boulevard and MD 231 (Hallowing Point Road) from a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway in Calvert County. Another long-awaited project is in Garrett County to construct a new four-lane divided highway on US 219 between I-68 and Old Salisbury Road.

Jumping ahead to spring 2018, motorists will have a significantly easier drive to the Eastern Shore as the project to add an extra lane to the U.S. 50 Bridge over the Severn River will be complete by Memorial Day, as well as a new four-lane MD 404 between U.S. 50 and the Denton Bypass. Life on I-270 will be getting better with the $100 million I-270 Innovative Congestion Management project.

MDOT SHA lists active construction projects on an interactive map “e-Road Ready.” Visit the e-Road Ready site at:

maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=691de498b6954e908cd16dbedbf9d695

Each year, MDOT SHA joins MDOT and other Transportation Business Units in updating local officials and the public about transportation priorities for the next six years. The FY 2018-2023 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) includes 846 airport, highway, transit and bicycle projects with a value of $9 billion.

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