Local elected push to restore funding for the US Route 15 widening project.
Frederick, Md (KM) The annual Maryland Department of Transportation tour came to Frederick County on Wednesday; and that’s where local elected officials continued to push for funding to be restored for the US Route 15 widening project. “The section of US 15 from I-70 to Maryland 26 has long been targeted for critical safety upgrades that would eliminate dangerous weave conditions, and provide important sound and safety barriers for adjacent residential homes and businesses,” said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater.
She noted that the project had been part of the Consolidated Transportation Program for a long time, and had bipartisan support. But $14.3 million from the project was removed from the CTP for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 State transportation officials it was due to flat revenues.
“While the safety concerns of this corridor were highlighted in the 2023 tanker accident, it should be clear that this stretch of US 15 sees accidents daily,”: Fitzwater continued. “Many of which do not make the news, but directly impact our residents and visitors.”
Between December 1st, 2022, and August 31st, 2024, Fitzwater said Frederick County Fire and Rescue personnel transported a total of 146 patients with injuries from accidents on the segment Route 15 between I-70 and Route 26. “That’s a jarring statistic,” she said.
Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor described what he sees as the current condition of US Route 15. “It is a thousand fender-benders that have taken that piece of infrastructure and clearly identified it for those who live and work in this community every day as missing something that this community needs in order for us to be as successful as we possibly can, “he said.
In addition to the safety concerns, Frederick County Delegate Jesse Pippy brought up its impact on the economy. His chief of staff, Andrew Zirkle, read a statement from the legislator who could not make it that evening. “Without the previously promised upgrades to US 15, deteriorating safety conditions and worsening congestion will deter people from traveling to Frederick, and will result in a loss of patronage to businesses, and stalling economic development,” he said.
Before hearing public testimony, State Highway Administrator Will Pines addressed US Route 15 in his opening comments. “We will be pausing the project after the post 30 percent design is completed. This will best position us to pick up the pencils once we have funding if it becomes available,” he said. “And as the Secretary {Paul Wiedefeld} mentioned, we’re looking for potential break-out projects that may be available to leverage federal dollars for spot safety improvements on the corridor.”
Local officials say there is only enough money for 30 percent of the design for the US 15 project. But after that’s completed, there is no funding for engineering and construction.
By Kevin McManus