Trone Applauds Further Investments in Appalachian Development Highway System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 20, 2022
Contact: Sasha Galbreath, Sasha.Galbreath@mail.house.gov
Trone Applauds Further Investments in Appalachian Development Highway System
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman David Trone applauded the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s commitment to allocate $53 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds toward the extension of Route 219 in Pennsylvania, which will in turn connect to Maryland’s portion of the highway. The funding will be used to complete essential pre-construction efforts and will continue to promote the project’s benefits to secure further funding for the completion of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS).
Last year, Trone introduced the Finish the ADHS Act to complete the highway system after decades of delays. The framework from the Trone-led bill was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will now be used to fund essential transportation projects like Route 219.
“Rural communities are too often left behind — and it’s past time that we bring resources to the hardworking folks in Maryland’s rural communities,” said Congressman Trone. “Investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law like this one are certain to uplift our rural economies and bring long-awaited growth to Western Marylanders and rural Pennsylvanians. I’m proud that Maryland and Pennsylvania’s Departments of Transportation came together to fight for this project and get the job done.”
“This is fantastic news and, once completed, 219 will be a game changer for our region! This would not be happening without the dedicated efforts of many people working for literal decades to make this a reality,” said Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards. “In particular, Governor Hogan made this a priority for Maryland to complete the connection with I-68 and Congressman Trone has taken this issue and really worked hard with his colleagues in Pennsylvania to complete the road. The economic development opportunities this will open up are significant.”
“Through hard work and perseverance, we are making great progress to complete the ADHS,” said Jennifer Walsh, Executive Director of the Greater Cumberland Committee. “This is the result of a decades-long effort to finish this project, and we’re finally getting the job done for our Western Maryland communities and the region. We appreciate Congressman Trone’s partnership to help bolster our local economies and create jobs.”
“The 219 Project will continue to be one of the top regional economic development priorities until it is completed,” said Guy Winterberg, Assistant Director of the Tri-County Council for WMD. “This funding puts us one step closer to making this critical link a reality and truly shows what can be accomplished through regional collaboration. Having a connection north from Interstate 68 will undoubtedly attract new businesses to the region along the entire corridor.”
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees in the 117th Congress. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
###
