The Government of Maryland has granted $765m in funding for the construction of a new Potomac River crossing from Charles County in Maryland to King George County, Virginia.

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is planning to advertise a design-build contract for the new bridge in 2018, which will include a proposal to start construction works in 2020, and opening a new, wider, and safer bridge in 2023.

The new Potomac River crossing will be essential for the country’s security, as well as to the quality of life of thousands of Marylanders who depend on this bridge daily for work, business, and recreation.

"Marylanders deserve better than the daily congestion caused by the current bridge and with the construction of this new bridge, they will finally get it."

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said: “With this announcement, I am extremely proud to officially dedicate more than $760m to fully fund a new Potomac River bridge and finally replace the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge.

“From the start, our administration has consistently taken every step necessary to expeditiously push forward with this much-needed replacement project and going forward we will continue to push to ensure it’s completed as fast and efficiently as possible.

“Simply put, Marylanders deserve better than the daily congestion caused by the current bridge and with the construction of this new bridge, they will finally get it.”

The new bridge will be constructed parallel to the existing 1.7-mile bridge and will feature two lanes of traffic in each direction and a barrier-separated bicycle and pedestrian path.

This project is expected to create nearly 1,180 jobs per year over five years.

Maryland Transportation Secretary and MDTA chairman Pete Rahn said: “By right-sizing the bridge design, we’re able to deliver an affordable new bridge and do it years sooner.”

MDTA will demolish the existing bridge after the new bridge opens.

Currently, there are nearly 1,073 transportation projects, totaling nearly $8bn, under construction across the state of Maryland.