Gas Tax Hike Funds $50M Project To Replace Eastern Shore's 81-Year-Old Dover Bridge
EASTON, Md. (WJZ)--As you pay more to fill your gas tank, the state is taking some of that money to fund transportation projects.
Political reporter Pat Warren reports the Eastern Shore is getting some much needed attention.
Marylanders crossing the Dover Bridge have learned to cross their fingers that it won't lock up on them when it opens for marine traffic below.
"The bridge is 80 years old," said Gov. Martin O'Malley. "Often times it malfunctions, things back up, sometimes ambulances on critical runs have to go for miles and miles along the river in order to get sick people to the hospital."
The state is spending $50 million to start replacing the 81-year-old bridge that connects Talbot and Caroline counties, one of several projects bankrolled by those new gas tax dollars Marylanders are paying.
"It became a symbol of what we weren't able to do. Now it's a symbol of what we can do when we come together," O'Malley said.
The O'Malley administration is tackling other transportation problems with:
- A $52 million interchange at U.S. 301 and Maryland Route 304
- $42 million in construction funds to widen Route 404
- $11 million to widen U.S. 113
- $3.7 million to build a roundabout at Route 822 and Route 675
"It's going to get done in the next few years here," O'Malley said.
The administration says there will be about $4.4 billion in new investments in the next six years. The Eastern Shore projects come in at $160 million.
The O'Malley administration says the projects will create 1,900 jobs.
