January 26th, 2022 by WCBC Radio
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $11,072,956 in federal funding for Maryland to continue construction of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) including the last remaining section of “Corridor N” that runs through Western Maryland. Funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included a $1.25 billion investment over five years towards the completion of the ADHS.
The ADHS is comprised of 3,090 miles of highway, with 33 corridors that provide access to regional and national markets. Based on the March 2021 Cost-to-Complete report by Appalachian Regional Commission, the return on investment of completing the ADHS by 2045 is estimated to be $3.70 for every dollar spent.
“Rural communities in Western Maryland deserve a reliable road network,” the lawmakers said. “That’s why we fought for this historic federal investment to finally deliver interstate connectivity for Western Marylanders, as well as reduce travel times, create jobs and foster economic development in Maryland and throughout the region. We were proud to help pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide our state and region the tools to complete the highway system and strengthen the Appalachian economy.”
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a once-in-a-generation investment in American infrastructure that strengthens our roads and bridges, along with our water infrastructure, broadband internet, climate resilience, the completion of the ADHS, and more. The ADHS is crucial in connecting geographically isolated Appalachian communities to the National Highway System and the rest of the nation. Many of those communities rely heavily on the ADHS to travel to jobs and for economic development.
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