Frederick County Transportation Projects Could Be Eliminated In Governor’s Proposed Budget Cuts

That includes widening US 15 in Frederick.Frederick, Md (KM) The project to widen US 15 in Frederick could be on the chopping block. The Washington Post is reporting that Governor Wes Moore is proposing drastic cuts to some transportation projects in Maryland to close a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall. That includes widening US 15, and a planned expansion of service on the Brunswick MARC Line.Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor said in a statement that would “jeopardize” the top local transportation priority. He called widening US 15 an economic development project and a safety project, pointing to the tanker truck explosion and fire in March which led to the death of the driver, and damaged some nearby homes.In her statement, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said this project has bipartisan support, and cutting it will have “a real and direct impact” on the quality of life in the county. Fitzwater also said the decision to abandon the expansion of the Brunswick MARC Line  “does damage” to local transit goals.Both elected officials said they would fight to keep the dedicated funding to widen US 15.By Kevin McManus