Some things need a little push.
For Jason Groth, director of planning and growth management, it’s a multi-million dollar project that would alleviate traffic along Route 5 and Route 301.
The county received $15 million in federal spending for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit, known as SMRT, project, Groth said during the Oct. 27 Charles commissioner meeting. The state is expected to match those funds, totaling $30 million, but there are concerns that the funding is stalled and will be used to improve a commuter bus system.
The Charles commissioners unanimously approved a letter of concern that urged Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Kathryn Thomson and Tony Bridges, administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, to stay focused on building a light rail system to alleviate traffic. Commissioners Gilbert “BJ” Bowling (D) and Ralph E. Patterson II (D) were absent.
“We’re finding congestion ever-worsening,” Groth said. “It’s important that this project continue to make progress.”
Commissioner Thomasina “Sina” Coates (D) asked if the state transportation administration would divert funding from the light rail project to a bus system.
No funds can be diverted from...