Routes 113, 50 getting big improvements with federal funds. Here's what to know.

On Wednesday, Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, D-Md, announced $4,509,759 for two projects on the Eastern Shore to reconnect communities divided by infrastructure.

Big improvements coming to routes 50, 113 on Eastern Shore

These federal dollars, secured through the Inflation Reduction Act, will fund critical transportation upgrades in two Eastern Shore communities. One grant will support the planning and design of a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Route 113 in Berlin, as well as other sidewalk and street crossing improvements, to better connect both sides of the town, which is currently split by the roadway.

A second grant will support planning and construction of pedestrian and vehicle access improvements along Route 50 in Easton.

“For folks who live near and around Route 50, the pressing need to make it safer and more accessible is clear," Van Hollen said. "For residents of Berlin, Route 113 has for years split the town in two – dividing the community and hindering its economic growth. Our legacy transportation infrastructure was supposed to bring our state and our nation together – but in cases like these it has kept local communities apart."

Van Hollen noted, through the Inflation Reduction Act, funds were secured to "confront and correct harmful infrastructure decisions of the past."

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The money was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and provided through the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program, which the lawmakers worked to create and fund through the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Rural areas benefit from walkable, accessible communities just as urban and suburban areas do," Cardin said. "Safer transportation connections for bikers and pedestrians support better access to businesses and a stronger local economy.”

According to Cardin, improvements on routes 50 and 113 will have a significant impact on neighborhood connectivity and opportunity.

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“Federal funding is critically important in our efforts to improve the safety of our communities and deliver equitable transportation projects,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. “The Maryland Department of Transportation was proud to work closely with our federal partners and municipalities throughout the state to compete for this important funding."

These awards are two of six federal grants totaling more than $11 million that the federal lawmakers are announcing for Maryland to address infrastructure that has divided communities in our state. The bill was modeled off of legislation authored by Sens. Van Hollen and Cardin. Cardin serves as the chair of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the senate.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Big improvements set for routes 113, 50, with fed funds. All to know.