'The Board of (Calvert) County Commissioners joined U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and

Congressman Steny Hoyer, state legislators and St. Mary's county officials near the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge on Monday, May 23, to speak on the urgent need to replace the bridge.

Calvert County Commissioner President Earl “Buddy” Hance joined with St. Mary’s County Commissioner President James “Randy” Guy; State Senator Jack Bailey; Delegate Rachel Jones, Chairperson for the Regional Infrastructure Advisory Committee; and St. Mary’s County Commissioner Todd Morgan, Chairperson for the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, in discussing the critical infrastructure need.

“Southern Maryland’s safety, security, economic well-being and efficient transportation relies on the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge," said Hance. "This bridge is a critical point of access for our region and has far exceeded its two-lane capacity. The time to replace the bridge is now; it’s vitally important that we get on track to replace this bridge as soon as possible. With the commitment of $1 million in funding from our federal partners to help advance the effort, we will continue to work with, and thank, our state legislators to secure the additional funding needed to get this project moving.”

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer lauded more than $400 million in federal funding coming to Maryland through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will be distributed to the state over five years and can be used to advance projects like the Thomas Johnson Bridge replacement. The lawmakers secured $1 million in direct funding in the fiscal year 2022 funding bill to support the project design for the widening of MD 4 and Thomas Johnson Bridge replacement.

Watch the full press conference:

((Will be quite a project, if it ever comes to pass. I use the Bridge, and can see it from my property.))