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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, May 18, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) today attended the official dedication of the new Wilson Bridge, which will open to drivers in mid-June.
The $2.44 billion bridge project will replace an aging, pothole-plagued structure that is crumbling under the strain of nearly 200,000 vehicles a day, considerably more than the 75,000 it was built to handle.
“A new Wilson Bridge will go a long way to reducing congestion, improving traffic flow, and fostering a safer, more efficient driving environment at one of the worst bottlenecks in the country,” Hoyer said. “As we celebrate National Transportation Week, this dedication is a fitting reminder about the importance of modernizing our regional roadways.”
In addition to improving the transportation infrastructure, Hoyer said it is critical to provide relief to motorists by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Last week, in an effort to move the nation towards greater energy independence, Hoyer submitted an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of Defense Authorization Bill that would increase the use of alternative fuels in the military.
“The recent spike in gas prices and global demand, as well as political instability in oil producing nations, must serve as a wake-up call,” Hoyer said. “We must invest in alternative fuels immediately, and the Defense Department, as the single largest buyer of fuel in the U.S., has to be a significant part of that effort.”
“I believe we need a Manhattan style project that brings government, business, and the science/environmental community to the table to promote and expand alternative energy sources and make more efficient vehicles that burn cleaner fuels,” Hoyer added.
As a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Transportation, Congressman Hoyer has played a leading role in making improvements to Maryland’s transportation infrastructure. He secured $172 million for the reconstruction of the Baltimore/Washington Parkway, nearly $3 billion in funding for expansion of Metro’s Green Line in Prince George’s County, and helped the Southern Maryland Commuter Bus Initiative to construct six new commuter parking facilities in the tri-county region.
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