Olney, MD - Today Senator Roger Manno, Delegate Ben Kramer, and Senator Karen Montgomery met with State Highway Administration (SHA) 3rd District Engineer Cedric Ward regarding the ongoing issue of a congested left (north to west) turn lane at MD28/MD97 (Norbeck Road and Georgia Avenue). Today's meeting was requested by lawmakers representing both the 19th and 14th legislative districts after numerous months of community meetings and concerns raised by residents and lawmakers, including at the recent Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP) hearing in Rockville, over the failing intersection and westbound turn lane. After several traffic mitigation proposals were discussed today, SHA's Cedric Ward advised the lawmakers that he would be recommending that the second left turn lane option be funded by the State. The $500,000 option entails constructing a new lane in the center median, and will require substantial regrading and drainage control to allow for the safe and efficient turning onto westbound Norbeck Road, just south of the Georgia Avenue Intercounty Connector (ICC) Interchange. The District Engineer's recommendation now goes to the Administrator of State Highways for further funding consideration. Roger, a member of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, assured the attendees of the meeting that he would support the funding proposal once it comes before the funding committee in Annapolis.

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