Leggett Hails Major Victory for Local Transportation as Governor Announces $630 Million for County Projects

County Executive Ike Leggett and Governor Martin O’Malley (center) enjoy the announcement that Montgomery County will receive $630 million in State funding for local transportation projects.  Among those present at the news conference at the Bethesda Metro Station are (from left and behind Leggett and O’Malley) County Councilmember George Leventhal; Council Vice President Craig Rice; Delegate Tom Hucker/Dist. 20; Maryland Secretary of Transportation James T. Smith; and Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown.

Years of strong advocacy by County Executive Ike Leggett for more State money for Montgomery County‘s transportation needs -- working with our County Council and State delegation -- have paid off with the announcement by Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown that the County is receiving $630 million in transportation investments, plus an additional $400 million for construction of the Purple Line that will benefit both Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

County Executive Ike Leggett (at podium), preparing to introduce Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (behind Leggett’s left shoulder), is surrounded by County elected officials and Maryland’s Lt. Governor Anthony Brown (to his immediate left). Montgomery County officials in the front row are (from left): Councilmember George Leventhal; Delegate Susan Lee/Dist. 16; and Delegate Anne Kaiser/Dist. 14 (far right). County officials in the back row are (from left): County Councilmember Valerie Ervin; Delegate Tom Hucker/Dist. 20; and Del. Ariana Kelly/Dist. 16.

“For many years,” Leggett said, “I have vigorously advocated for a meaningful increase in funding for transportation, and now, for the first time in a generation, we are seeing the results with significant and long overdue transportation infrastructure investments for our priority projects. This provides funding for many other projects that are essential to modernizing our transportation infrastructure and realizing our County’s plans for the future.”

Speaking at the announcement event at the Bethesda Metro Station, O’Malley recognized the critical role Leggett played in advocating for the passage of the Transportation Act.


“Together, with the support of our local partners like County Executives Leggett and Baker, we made the better choices to invest in the future of Maryland’s transportation network, allowing us to create more than 57,200 jobs for our hardworking families and rebuild our State’s infrastructure,” said Governor O’Malley.

“Today's announcement creates more than 9,700 jobs for Montgomery County, reduces traffic congestion and revitalizes communities. Thanks to Lt. Governor Brown’s leadership, we can move ahead with the Purple Line and bring the best private sector practices and innovation needed to create the 21st century transportation network that a modern economy requires.”

Joining Leggett were County Council President Nancy Navarro, Council Vice President Craig Rice, and Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Valerie Ervin, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer.

County Council President Nancy Navarro said, “Thanks to Governor O’Malley’s leadership and the courageous action of the General Assembly, some of Montgomery County’s most urgently needed transportation projects can now move forward. I was glad to join with the County Executive and my colleagues on the Council to make the case that transportation funding is critical to maintaining economic growth and quality of life for Montgomery County and all of Maryland.”

The Executive recognized and thanked the County’s State delegation, which was instrumental in the passage of the Transportation Act.

See more details about how the money will be spent. Press Release