SOMERSET, September 7, 2011 – State Sen. Richard A. Kasunic is urging federal and state transportation agencies to prioritize completion of the Route 219 construction project in Somerset County.
In a letter to the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAPDC), Kasunic described the project as a “critical safety and economic development priority for both Somerset County and the region.
“Given the number of school buses that traverse the winding road as it presently exists in conjunction with the heavy truck traffic that that utilizes this road on a daily basis, completion of the new highway cannot come soon enough,” Kasunic stated.
The Dunbar lawmaker previously obtained $35 million in state financing for the project. The funds were used to match Appalachian Regional Commission dollars that helped advance the project through design, engineering, right of way, relocation and property acquisition. Ultimately, the goal of the project is to complete the Route 219 corridor to the Maryland state line.
Kasunic said the finalized project would prove to be an economic boon to businesses and residents in the region.
Kasunic penned his letter in advance of tomorrow’s SAPDC public stakeholders meeting in Somerset. The meeting is aimed at updating the region’s long range transportation plan, which will likely be incorporated into the state’s 12 Year Transportation Program, which prioritizes projects and how transportation funds will be invested over the next 20 years.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is the Text of the Kasunic letter to Anne Stich, Transportation Program Manager, SAPDC:
Dear Ms. Stich:
Thank you for inviting me to attend the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission public stakeholder meeting on the region’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
Due to previously scheduled commitments, I will be unable to attend the meetings planned in September. I do, however, wish to take this opportunity to convey to you my interest and wholehearted support in the continued identification of the Route 219 construction project as a critical safety and economic development priority for both Somerset County and the region. As you are aware, I was fortunate to have secured 35 million dollars in state financing for the project that was used to match for Appalachian Regional Commission dollars already approved for the roadway. This funding helped advance the project through design, engineering, right of way, relocation and property acquisition. In light of the tremendous progress made to date, I am sure you will agree that it is essential to ensure that the project remains a top plan priority as we move toward construction of the Somerset to Meyersdale phase. Once complete, the region’s ultimate goal of completing the Rt. 219 corridor to the Maryland State line in order to take full advantage of the economic benefits and enhancements it will provide our residents and businesses can and will be fulfilled.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of completing this highway as a safety enhancement for the area not to mention the positive impact it will have in promoting economic development and jobs to the region. Given the number of school buses that traverse the winding road as it presently exists in conjunction with the heavy truck traffic that utilizes this road on a daily basis, completion of the new highway cannot come soon enough. Recognizing the critical need to upgrade Route 219, our federal representatives in Congress remain actively engaged in legislative policy changes that will provide additional federal dollars to complete this critical link for the region. For these reasons, the project must be maintained as a priority as we focus on construction and completion of the roadway.
I wish to thank the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission in coordinating this important planning process and I look forward to working with you and all community stakeholders in the months ahead to identify and promote beneficial infrastructure needs throughout the region.
Thank you very much for your past and continued cooperation and as always feel free to call on me if I can be of any service.
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