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GOVERNOR EHRLICH ANNOUNCES $54 MILLION
TO RELIEVE CONGESTION AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY
ALONG MD 5 IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
Major Improvements to Branch Avenue Interchange to
Accommodate Traffic Growth and Increase Safety in Prince George's County
"My top priority is safety," said Governor Ehrlich. "Everyone who travels along MD 5 knows that traffic congestion is getting worse and that congestion is causing more crashes. With the passage of my transportation-funding package during the 2004 General Assembly, we now have the money available to begin tackling the safety and congestion relief challenges that exist here.
I want to thank Senate President Thomas "Mike" Miller, Senator Gloria Lawlah and Senator Ulysses Currie for supporting my transportation initiative."
More than 142,000 vehicles travel along MD 5 at the Capital Beltway daily. Traffic is expected to exceed 216,000 vehicles by 2025. The Branch Avenue Metro Station is also growing. The average daily boarding number for June was 12,600 daily trips. The Metro parking lot has capacity for approximately 3,200 vehicles and is generally full by 8 a.m. weekdays.
"Today marks a very important day for motorists who use Branch Avenue. This project will help ease the congestion which commuters face every day," said Senate President Thomas Mike Miller. "It's another step in addressing Maryland's immediate transportation needs."
Specifically, plans for the interchange improvement project call for adding a ramp from the inner loop I-495/I-95 (Capital Beltway) to southbound Branch Avenue, reconstructing the existing ramp from northbound Branch Avenue to the inner loop Capital Beltway and significantly improving pedestrian access along Branch Avenue and Auth Road.
"I would like to thank Governor Ehrlich and Secretary Flanagan on their continuing commitment and support of transportation projects in my district, especially for improvements along MD 4 and MD 5," said Senator Ulysses Currie. "This is a great indication of transportation improvements that the administration is doing in Prince George's County and throughout the State."
The project announced today is the first of two phases to improve Branch Avenue between the Capital Beltway and Auth Road. Phase Two will add a new access road from southbound Branch Avenue directly to the Metro Station. The signal along northbound Branch Avenue at Auth Road will be eliminated to allow better traffic flow. Improvements to Auth Place and Auth Way will also help mobility throughout the area.
"I am grateful that these improvements will be taking place along MD 5," said Senator Gloria Lawlah. "Traffic congestion and safety are top priorities in my district."
"With the commercial and residential development planned for the Branch Avenue/Auth Road vicinity, it is essential that people can reach their businesses, homes and the Metro station without having to fight daily gridlock," said Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan. "This Administration is moving forward with transportation projects that will support economic development, improve safety and enhance the quality of life for citizens across Maryland."
Governor Ehrlich's transportation funding package provides an additional $237 million annually to address needed safety and congestion relief improvements in every region of the State. It provides Maryland's first increase in transportation funding in more than a decade.