Requests $20 million for federal checkbook to fix traffic hot-spots in Maryland to meet federal responsibility, take burden off local taxpayer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) announced today she has requested $20 million in fiscal year 2010 federal funding to help Maryland communities manage growth related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s recommendations. The funding will greatly improve safety and access to military bases in Maryland and ease traffic congestion stemming from BRAC-related growth in the area.

“My promises made to BRAC-impacted communities are promises kept. It’s my job to put money in the federal checkbook where there is a federal responsibility, but not enough funding. BRAC brings great opportunities, but it also brings great challenges. That’s why I want to make sure Maryland has what it needs to implement the BRAC decisions and meet the increased demands on our communities,” Senator Mikulski said.

The funding will provide $5 million for intersection improvements in the vicinity of each of the following military installations: Fort George G. Meade in Anne Arundel County; Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County; National Naval Medical Center in Montgomery County; and Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County. These areas have been identified as “traffic hot spots” in Maryland.

Senator Mikulski has been fighting 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 jobs that will never leave the country, in addition to 85,000 existing jobs on bases and up to 40,000 non-direct jobs. To prepare for the increase of employees, commuters and students, Senator Mikulski is committed to making sure Maryland gets the federal resources it needs so that costs do not fall on local taxpayers.

Senator Mikulski is requesting the funding to be included in the fiscal year 2010 Senate Transportation, Housing, Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. In the next step of the appropriations process, committee leadership will consider the requests. If approved, they must then be passed by both the House and the Senate before they are sent to the President to be signed into law. Once these steps are completed, the funds become available in Maryland.