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Letter to Baltimore Sun re: US 219 Project in Garrett County
December 28, 2018Dear Mr. Rodricks:
On behalf of the members and stakeholders of Continental 1 – the 3-state advocacy group working to complete US 219 – I write in response to your Dec. 14 editorial, “Larry Hogan’s $61.5 million ‘nowhere’ highway project gets underway in western Maryland.” As you might imagine, we see things quite differently.
You raise a very thought-provoking question in your piece – how can a project “remain a priority for decades,” and it seems that the question itself suggests the answer. It’s no secret that rural highways and bridges are not election winners. Away from population centers, they are not at the top of very many elected officials’ agenda. Which, we suspect, is why Congress has had such a difficult time getting rural highway funding into an infrastructure funding bill. Yet, to the people of the communities surrounding them, infrastructure investments such as the Route 219 Realignment Project represent critical improvements to safety, mobility and access. Whether it’s protecting our families on the road, strengthening supply chains, or attracting new jobs to the area, the condition and efficiency of our road network is pivotal.
How can a project remain a priority for decades? Because it’s important enough that it outlasts decades of elected officials who chose to direct infrastructure funding toward higher-profile, election-winning projects.
Last month, just 20 minutes north of the intersection you’re addressing, PennDOT opened the brand new 11-mile section of US 219 – a project that had “remained a priority” since the 1970s. It has invigorated the community, and has built the foundation for economic growth in Somerset County. Leadership in Harrisburg and locally understood that an initiative that stays relevant for that amount of time is, in the end, worth the investment. We’re thankful to Governor Hogan for feeling the same way.
We understand, though, that your perception may be a common one among folks in the more populous areas of the state. Even though we weren’t fans of your take, we appreciate your bringing up the topic, and opening the door for discussion. We hope to host you in Garrett County again in 2019.
Thank you.
Read MoreRoute 219 now open from Somerset to Meyersdale
November 23, 2018From The Daily American
The road is finally open. After decades of bumps in the road, officials finally cut the ribbon Wednesday morning to open Route 219 from Somerset to Meyersdale while standing under the old Route 219 underpass.
Read MoreMaryland officials break ground on Route 219 project
October 17, 2018GRANTSVILLE, Md. – State officials broke ground Saturday on a long-awaited project that will realign a portion of U.S. Route 219 in Garrett County. The 1.4-mile section of highway will be built between Interstate 68 and Old Salisbury Road. The $61.5 million project has been a Garrett County transportation priority for decades.
Read MorePublic weighs in on Route 219 improvement project
February 8, 2017by Mark Pesto, The Tribune-Democrat
GRANTSVILLE, Md. – Maryland transportation officials listened to the public’s opinions on the U.S. Route 219 Improvement Project at a joint public hearing Monday night at Grantsville Elementary School.
Three possible options were discussed Monday night – all involving the improvement of Route 219 between its interchange with Interstate 68 in Grantsville and Old Salisbury Road, which is approximately 1.4 miles north of the I-68/Route 219 interchange.
Read More