Local officials expect to bring up proposed widening of US Route 15 in Frederick.
Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick County will play host to the Maryland Department of Transportation next month. MDOT officials will be coming to town for their annual “road show” on Wednesday, October 16th at Winchester Hall beginning at 7:00 PM.
The department is expected to explain the proposed Consolidated Transportation Plan for fiscal years 2025 to 2030, and take questions from the public.
Frederick County officials are expected to press the state on funding for the Route 15 project which is the widening of the highway from Interstate 70 to Route 26. “My administration will continue to advocate for the transportation funding needed to address safety and traffic concerns in our community, particularly the US 15 corridor,” said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, in a statement. “The draft CTP halts the US 15 safety project. I encourage residents to attend the upcoming meeting to learn more and share comments. Our voice is strongest when we advocate together.”
It did have project construction funding in the past, but last year the state put a hold on that funding. but kept in money for engineering and design work. That made it unclear if the project would ever get started. The draft CTP for fiscal years 2025 to 2030 shifts funding around that will impact safety projects for Frederick County, including a $14.3 million decrease in funding for the US 15 project.
But the fiscal year 2025 Consolidated Transportation Plan reduces funding for planning, and contains no additional funding in future years for design, engineering and construction.
“The US 15 project is vital to the safety and well being of Marylanders and the economic development of surrounding areas,” says County Council President Brad Young, in a statement. “The project has broad, bipartisan support as Frederick County’s top transportation project.”
County officials say the defunding of this project will have significant safety and quality of life impact for Frederick County residents and visitors.
Other issues in the draft Consolidated Transportation Plan that affect Frederick County are Highway User Revenue and Locally Operated Transit Systems. The County says Highway User Revenue remains in the CTP, but below historic levels. Frederick County officials say they will look to enhance Highway User Revenue and push for additional funds to be added to Locally Operated Transit Systems.
“Frederick County is proud to serve our residents with our public transit system which is vital to our community’s growth and well being,” Fitzwater says in a statement. “My administration remains committed to ensuring that Frederick County receives adequate State funding to continue improving transit services so that residents and businesses can thrive.”
By Kevin McManus