State transportation, Harford officials meet to discuss $19.9 billion in county projects

Jason Fontelieu, The Aegis, Bel Air, Md.
·1 min read

Sep. 27—Maryland Transportation Secretary James F. Ports Jr. and other Maryland Department of Transportation officials met with Harford County leaders Monday to discuss MDOT's draft for the six-year Maryland Consolidated Transportation Report for fiscal years 2023 through 2028.

The draft of the report — which in a news release Ports called the "largest six-year capital transportation budget ever" — spends $19.9 billion to "replace and repair aging infrastructure, expand transit opportunities, support Maryland's economic recovery and preserve and expand the state's transportation network," according to a MDOT news release.

For Harford County, the draft includes funds for the U.S. Route 1 bypass at Maryland Route 24, which would improve mobility and capacity getting around Bel Air, and to get to Interstate 95.

Funding sources include $17.13 billion the Transportation Trust Fund and $2.74 billion from other sources, including local contributions, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority direct funding, airport Passenger Facility Charges fees, airport revenue bonds, and airport rental car Customer Facility Charges.

Other Harford County projects on the horizon include State Highway Administration plans to replace the metal railing on the Maryland Route 161/Darlington Road bridge at Deer Creek and applying a "high-friction asphalt surface," according to the MDOT release.

Next spring, a project to repair Maryland Route 24 (Rocks Road) and stabilize the embankment next to Deer Creek to protect the road from erosion is expected to begin, according to the MDOT release.

"I appreciate MDOT's efforts to help Harford County commuters with a safe and efficient state road system," Harford County Executive Barry Glassman said in a statement.