The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in the US has announced an additional grant funding to the Washington County Board of Commissioners for the second phase of the Halfway Boulevard Extension expansions.

The expansions would be carried out with the $2m funding and are designed to alleviate traffic congestion between I-70 and I-81.

In July last year, the project received a $1.8m grant for the board to construct the first phase of the Halfway Boulevard Extension, extending the road west to Route 63.

The project was aimed at improving commercial development in the surrounding area, alleviate traffic congestion, and also enhance existing nearby commercial and industrial areas.

With the two grants, the total federal investment is now $3.8m.

“These funds are a great example of how federal resources can be used to help local communities flourish.”

Construction of the expanded roadway is part of an ongoing effort to improve access to a new business park, which is expected to create an estimated 394 new jobs.

US Senator Ben Cardin said: “This latest federal investment in Washington County’s infrastructure will improve some of the area’s most heavily used roads, allowing local commerce to grow, all while supporting the creation of hundreds of local, good-paying jobs.

“These funds are a great example of how federal resources can be used to help local communities flourish.”

The regional economic development agency ARC represents a partnership of federal, state and local government, which invests in projects that expand rural communities’ access to the services and economic development assistance required to thrive.