O'Malley Releases Comprehensive Statewide Transportation Plan

Plan Offers Stark Contrast to Ehrlich Raids on Transportation Trust Fund

NEW CARROLLTON, MD (October 24, 2006) – Today, Martin O’Malley unveiled a comprehensive, statewide plan to address Maryland’s growing transportation challenges. Standing in front of the New Carrollton metro stop in Prince George’s County, after greeting morning commuters, O’Malley laid out his plans to build a first class transportation system, including transit and highway projects, in the State of Maryland.

“A first-class transportation system is the key to improving and preserving our quality of life and building an even stronger economy in the State of Maryland,� said Martin O’Malley. “The time has come for a comprehensive approach to improving our state’s transportation system that combines smart growth, public transit and careful expansion of our roadways to wake us up from this traffic nightmare.�

According to a recent mobility study, the Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan regions will be plagued by traffic congestion worse than Los Angeles by 2030 without a comprehensive solution to Maryland’s transportation and growth challenges. Under Bob Ehrlich the State of Maryland has failed to develop such a policy, instead focusing on one road in one county and failing to address the state’s transit needs.

During the press conference, O’Malley said he would call for an independent audit of the state’s transportation funding within the first thirty days of taking office to determine the state’s true financial profile and account for Bob Ehrlich diverting over $300 million from the Transportation Trust Fund to non-transportation programs.

On the heels of this audit, O’Malley said he will establish a committee of legislators and experts to develop a 10-year funding plan for transportation projects and make recommendations within six months of its creation.

Other components of the O’Malley/Brown Plan for Transportation include:

  • Investing in Transportation Across Maryland to Decrease Congestion

  • Setting Aggressive Goals for Regional Transit Mobility

  • Promoting Smarter Long Term Planning and Growth

  • Prioritizing Transportation Projects To Support Economic Development and Quality of Life

  • Protecting the Environment and Achieve Resource Conservation

Read the Entire Transportation Plan at www.martinomalley.com.

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Friends of Martin O’Malley – 2400 Boston Street, Suite 203 – Baltimore, MD 21221 – 410-814-4206 – fax: 410-814-4218

Authority: Friends of Martin O’Malley, Martin F. Cadogan, Treasurer