Document VpV56K1nzZyExYRD0o1QbaN8

ANDY HARRIS, M.D. FIRST DISTRICT, MARYLAND COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES CHAIR AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION aongress of the niteb ,States ,I-louse of gepresentatifies Washington, ri(g 20515 1536 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 PHONE: 202.225.5311 BEL AIR DISTRICT OFFICE PHONE: 410.588.5670 SALISBURY DISTRICT OFFICE PHONE: 443.944.8624 WWVV.HARRIS.HOUSE.GOV March 24, 2025 The Honorable Sean Duffy Secretary of Transportation United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Duffy, I write to you in support of the Queen Anne's County Commissioners' request for federal assistance for the designation or implementation of a pilot project to allow a 10-mile stretch of US 50/301 to implement certain traffic management strategies. I can speak from personal experience as to the incredible importance of the stretch of the "Bay Bridge Corridor" that passes through Queen Anne's County -- and to the routine traffic backups and congestion that follows. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is the single crossing point over the entirety of the Chesapeake Bay. Especially during the summer season traffic to Ocean City, MD, this subjects my constituents to intolerable traffic delays and related safety issues. The Commissioners have specific concerns about the threats these long backups pose to fulfilling essential local services like emergency responses. Additionally, this congestion impacts local business as well as drivers will turn to clogging neighborhood streets to attempt to circumvent the traffic, blocking access to businesses and other local entities. Day to day local community activity and, more importantly, emergency response, must not be delayed by congestion from travelers passing through the area on their way to the Bay Bridge. It is my understanding that Queen Anne's County would like to limit access to MD 18 from US 50/301 to only travelers and residents with an origin or destination on that road or another connecting local road. This limitation would only apply during peak travel hours directly relating to an increase in Bay Bridge traffic. I understand that federal highway access to local roads cannot normally be limited, but I believe it may be necessary in this case, albeit on a limited basis, especially to allow emergency medical response teams to reach my constituents in their neighborhoods. I am happy to join any conversations that you or your team may wish to have with Queen Anne's County, and I look forward to working with you on this important issue for Maryland's First Congressional District. OST-2025-1200 Page 02004 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0027885 Sincerely, 7'f Andy Harris, M.D. Member of Congress OST-2025-1200 Page 02005 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0027886