An upscale outlet mall is set to open in south Prince George's County, and with it, it is expected to bring added traffic to already-congested Highway 210.
The Tanger Outlets along Oxon Hill Road are scheduled for opening in October 2013 at the National Harbor.
The outlets, along with the possibility of a new casino, have bumped up the Indian Head Highway road construction project to the top of the state's road work list.
The man supervising that roadwork in Prince George's just finished doing the same job for the state of Maryland for 10 months. Darrell Mobley served as Maryland Acting Secretary of Transportation and resigned last month.
"The county is moving in a fantastic direction under the leadership of County Executive [Rushern] Baker and is something that is exciting to me," Prince George's County Department of Public Works Director Mobley said.
As acting secretary of transportation, Mobley helped craft the 2013 legislation that raised the gas tax to fund new road projects throughout Maryland, like the Indian Head Highway construction.
"It was critical that we get that revenue increase this year," Mobley said. "It was projected that by 2016, 2017 the department would be out of funds for any new projects."
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
More than 200 residents gathered in Oxon Hill to learn about the three proposed locations for a possible casino. Officials said by the end of 2013, they will know where the casino will be built - either at National Harbor (close to the outlet mall) or two Fort Washington sites. Community meetings regarding the three sites will be held this fall.
Prince George's County residents using those roads are excited for the construction.
"We want it done well, we want it to be well-financed and we want the outcome to be one that's good," Tobey Henrey said.
A definite date for the start of construction along 210 has not yet been set.
MORE ON NBCWASHINGTON.COM
