WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced the fiscal year 2009 spending bill includes funding for key Maryland transportation projects, fulfilling her promise to help communities manage growth related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s recommendations.

A BRAC-READY MARYLAND

Senator Mikulski, chair of the Maryland congressional delegation, fought for several years to prepare Maryland communities and military bases for the BRAC process, which will bring thousands of new employees to the state. This includes 10,000 new U.S. jobs, in addition to 85,000 existing jobs on bases and up to 40,000 non-direct jobs.

“My promises made to BRAC-impacted communities are promises kept. BRAC brings great opportunities, but it also brings great challenges. That’s why I want to make sure Maryland has what it needs in the federal checkbook to implement the BRAC recommendations and meet the increased demands on our communities,” said Senator Mikulski. “More money for Maryland highways and public transit systems means safer and faster commutes to work. This funding will help BRAC-ready our transportation systems to keep Marylanders on the move.”

The spending bill includes:

• $34.7 million for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to purchase new rail cars. This is the third and final payment for a total of 52 new rail cars, which will boost ridership capacity by one-third and relieve Metro overcrowding.

• $15 million for Maryland’s MARC Commuter Rail System to fund ready-to-go construction at existing and new MARC stations and to buy new rail cars.

• $3 million to improve access to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda to make intersection improvements to already heavily congested Rockville Pike.

• $3 million to improve access to Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County and relieve future BRAC-related traffic congestion.

• $3 million to improve access to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Harford County by making intersection improvements along the highways leading to the installation.

INCREASED FUNDING FOR AMTRAK

Senator Mikulski also fought for increased funding for Amtrak, successfully securing $1.55 billion in the spending bill, a $750 million increase above President Bush’s request. This funding is critical to maintaining and improving Amtrak’s national passenger rail service, as ridership levels reach record highs as a result of high gas prices and congested highways. The bill also includes adequate funding for the second sum due to Amtrak employees as a result of last year’s labor agreement. This money will ensure workers receive the back pay they are owed after eight years without a meaningful cost-of-living increase.

“At a time when gas prices are sky high, we should be encouraging the use of rail and transit alternatives, like Amtrak, which are a vital component of our commuter transportation network,” said Senator Mikulski. “I have fought for years to ensure that Amtrak stayed alive. We in the Northeast corridor understand what rail service means for air quality, road congestion and quality of life. I will continue to fight to make Amtrak a priority in the federal checkbook.”

STATE TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES

The spending bill also provides $8 billion to avert the Highway Trust Fund (HTF)’s looming shortfall, $580 million of which will go directly to Maryland highway projects, and $2 million for the Maryland Transportation Administration (MTA). The HTF provides funding for highway, road and bridge maintenance across the country. Without this funding, Maryland could lose $200 million and 6,600 jobs.

The $2 million Senator Mikulski successfully secured for the MTA will be used to construct new bus facilities in the Baltimore metro area and to purchase hybrid electric buses. Hybrid buses are more fuel efficient, and better for the environment. Currently, 100 buses in MTA’s 940-bus fleet need to be replaced due to old age.

The legislation has passed the full Senate Appropriations Committee. In the next step of the appropriations process, the bill will move to the Senate floor for a vote, which has not yet been scheduled.