Cardin, Mikulski Announce $10 Million In Federal Funds To Decrease Congestion At Fort Meade By Widening MD 175
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be awarded $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. 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). The project will create construction jobs today and support the 56,000 men and women who live and work at Fort Meade.
“This project isn’t just about widening a roadway, its reducing congestion and improving the quality of life for the Fort Meade community,” said Senator Cardin. “Just like the invaluable work going on at Fort Meade, federal investments in our aging and overwhelmed transportation infrastructure are making a difference in our economic security and our national security. This grant supports Maryland and our nation.”
“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.
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 a major gate 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.
###