U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) is urging Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to include a protected lane for bicycle and foot traffic when rebuilding the Gov. Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge.
In a letter sent to Hogan today, Cardin expressed his willingness to find any necessary additional federal funding to ensure the lanes for biker and walkers are built.
“Failure to expend every reasonable effort to deliver this bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure as part of a new Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. Thomas ‘Mac’ Middleton Bridge would be to pass up a key opportunity to shape our transportation systems of the future,” Cardin wrote. “Tourism and recreation are pillars of our economy, and a protected bicycle and pedestrian crossing on this bridge would expand ways for residents and visitors to connect with and explore the scenic and historic values of our state and region. Such a trail would substantially expand the bridge’s benefits for our economy and our transportation networks.”
The bridge, located in Charles County, crosses the Potomac River.
Cardin has worked to expand the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) run by the U.S. Department of Transportation. TAP was created to allow local governments to exercise authority over federal transportation funding for local transportation priorities – such as bikeways and sidewalks – to reduce traffic and provide communities with more affordable transportation options. Under the transportation bill reported this week by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, on which Cardin serves, TAP funding would increase by $1.2 billion in FY2021.