Press Release

October 27, 2014
Cardin, Mikulski, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes, State Officials And Fort Meade Leaders Announce $10 Million In Federal Funds To Decrease Congestion At Fort Meade By Widening MD 175
Federal funds will be matched by an additional $30 million in state and federal formula funding
Project creates construction jobs today and improves access for 56,000 men and women who live and work at Fort Meade, making our nation safer and Maryland's economy stronger

BALTIMORE – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski together with Representatives C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.), Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation James T. Smith, Jr., Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, State Senator James “Ed” DeGrange, Sr., Fort Meade Garrison Commander Colonel Brian Foley and BWI Partnership Chairman Gene Condon today at a press conference at Fort Meade announced $10,000,000 in federal funding to widen MD 175 at Fort Meade, to cut down on congestion and make the roadway safer and more efficient. Federal funding will be matched by $30,000,000 in Maryland state and federal formula funding. The project will create construction jobs today and support the 56,000 men and women who live and work at Fort Meade.

Senator Cardin is a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Senator Mikulski is the Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which funds the Department of Transportation (DOT).

“This is big news. It isn’t just about widening a roadway and reducing congestion, this $43 million project will improve the safety and quality of life for the Fort Meade community, and support our national security,” said Senator Cardin. “BRAC expansion was important for Maryland. We are proud of the continued federal investment that has supported this growth and our partnership with state and local leadership that has made transportation infrastructure a priority.”

“This public investment in Fort Meade and surrounding communities is about jobs, jobs, jobs,” Senator Mikulski said. “I fought in the Senate to BRAC-proof Maryland’s bases, and now I’m fighting to BRAC-ready Maryland’s transportation. Widening MD 175 is critical for the 56,000 men and women who live and work at Fort Meade as one of the state’s largest employers. This project is a linchpin for a thriving but congested region. Through construction jobs today we are supporting jobs tomorrow at Fort Meade that make our nation safer and Maryland’s economy stronger.”

Widening MD 175 is critical to the region’s long range transportation plans. The improvements will improve safety, livability and connectivity for motorized and non-motorized travel to Fort Meade, as well as surrounding communities, schools and businesses. Funding for the MD 175: Fort Meade Multimodal Accessibility Project is provided through the DOT Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program.

“This project is critical to getting citizens out of their cars and back on the job or back to their families at days’ end,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “I see it as a catalyst for revitalization in the entire area.”

“By expanding Route 175 to a six-lane highway – along with sidewalks, on-road bicycle facilities and a trail – this project will greatly improve the transportation infrastructure around Fort Meade,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “With BRAC and cybersecurity growth occurring at Fort Meade, I will continue to fight for resources that help assimilate these tens of thousands of new jobs in a way that maintains environmental integrity and quality of life in the surrounding communities.”

“Working closely with Maryland’s Congressional Delegation, as well as state, local and military officials, we continue to make critical infrastructure investments to support the job growth generated by BRAC,” said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. “These federal funds combined with our $30 million State investment will allow us to move forward with this widening project, reducing congestion and enhancing traffic safety along MD 175 at Fort Meade. I want to thank Senator Mikulski and Senator Cardin for their continued support.”

“Maryland 175 has been a top priority in Anne Arundel County in my administration, and I am pleased that this grant will enable improvements that will not only alleviate congestion but also make travel safer for bicyclists, pedestrians and all users,” said County Executive Laura Neuman. “I would like to thank Senators Mikulski and Cardin for their tireless advocacy in securing this funding, as well as Representatives Ruppersberger and Sarbanes, MDOT Secretary Jim Smith, and our state and local leaders who were instrumental in making this grant possible.”

“Fort Meade is a regional resource, and it takes a regional approach to tackle the transportation challenges created by the base’s exciting mission growth,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. Sen. Mikulski and the entire Maryland delegation have been strong supporters of Fort Meade and its surrounding communities, and the Route 175 widening project is a result of their hard work, coupled with smart planning and a strong vision.”

“I want to thank Senator Mikulski for her strong advocacy of this project,” said Speaker Michael E. Busch. “This is an essential infrastructure project to the growth of Fort Meade and future of cyber security in the state of Maryland.”

“This project is an example of federal, state and local cooperation at its finest. I am very grateful for the work of our congressional delegation and particularly Senator Mikulski, for their work in securing the federal TIGER Grant for the widening of Route 175,” said State Senator James “Ed” DeGrange, Sr. “Widening Route 175 will not only alleviate traffic congestion in Western Anne Arundel County, but also spur economic development throughout the region.”

“The expansion of MD Rt. 175 is of paramount importance to the efficient travel through the region.  As a partner of the ‘Team Meade’ and ‘Team Maryland’ collaborative effort, we are grateful for Senator Mikulski’s leadership to ensure this reality, which is a win for the entire community,” says Gene Condon, Chair, The BWI Business Partnership and General Manager, Arundel Mills Mall.

The multimodal accessibility project along MD 175 (Annapolis Road) between Disney and Reece Roads in Anne Arundel County consists of widening the road that directly accesses two major gates to Fort Meade. Roadway widening also includes construction of sidewalks, on-road bicycle facilities in widened right lanes and a multi-use hiker-biker trail. The project would upgrade MD 175 from an existing undivided two-lane road to a divided six-lane road, complete with a trail, sidewalks and on-road bike facilities. This project would address current and future congestion along MD 175 between the two intersections and improve access to Fort Meade for both motorized and non-motorized travel.

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