Rockville, MD – Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Senator Ben Cardin announced that the Department of Defense would provide $88.9 million of the $90 million the State of Maryland and Montgomery County requested to address traffic mitigation issues around the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“This funding announcement is welcome news for the thousands of wounded warriors and their families who will use the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, as well as Montgomery County’s beleaguered commuters,” Senator Cardin said. “As a delegation, we have been united in our efforts to ensure federal support for the expanded medical facility and the tens of thousands of new military and civilian jobs being brought to our state through the BRAC process. I am pleased that we will be able to provide much-needed transportation upgrades to meet the needs of those traveling to or near the new military medical facility.”
“I’m very pleased that the Department of Defense will be providing virtually all of the $90 million requested by the State of Maryland and Montgomery County for the traffic mitigation work around the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,” said Congressman Van Hollen. “This money – which has taken nearly two years to secure – will help ensure wounded warriors and their families are able to access the new facility and lessen the impact on the surrounding community. It is an important part of making sure this is a world class center for our brave servicemen and women and veterans.”
“I fought in the Senate to BRAC-proof Maryland’s bases, now I am working to BRAC-ready our transportation systems. Our troops fight overseas to protect our freedom, they shouldn’t have to fight traffic to get the care they’ve earned when they get back,” said Senator Mikulski, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, who fought for this funding in the Continuing Resolution. “The Walter Reed National Military Center at Bethesda will be the frontline in delivering care to our wounded warriors. I am proud to partner with my Team Maryland colleagues to make BRAC a success and secure the federal funding needed to meet the increased demands on our communities.”
FUNDING INFORMATION
Installation: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, MD
Applicant: Montgomery County, Maryland
Project Title: MD 355 Multimodal Crossing
Funding Request: $40 million
Applicant: State of Maryland
Project Title: MD 185 & Jones Bridge Road/Kensington Parkway
Funding Request: $18.3 million
Project Title: MD 355 & West Cedar Lane/Cedar Lane
Funding Request: $19 million
Project Title: MD 355 & Jones Bridge Road/Center Drive
Funding Request: $4.3 million
Project Title: MD 187 & West Cedar/Oakmont Avenue
Funding Request: $7.3 million
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