Funds will support road improvements near Ft. Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground

(Severn, MD) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), joined by U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin, along with Congressmen John Sarbanes and Frank Kratovil (all D-MD), today announced $5.6 million to help prepare Maryland for nearly 30,000 jobs heading to the state through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Maryland State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen and Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold also attended the exciting announcement

The federal funds, which were included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act, or omnibus, passed by Congress last month, will pay for much-needed road improvements near Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County. The announcement was made from the busy intersection of MD-175 and Rockenbach Road in Hanover, near the Rockenbach Gate entrance to Fort Meade. The intersection is expected to become increasingly congested with the influx of Fort Meade employees under BRAC.

“In these trying economic times, additional high-paying jobs are music to our ears,” said Congressman Ruppersberger, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “But we need to make sure that we preserve the great quality of life that residents experience all across the state, especially here in Anne Arundel County.  Together, Team Maryland has worked hard over the last four years to make sure we have the proper infrastructure in place – everything from roads to schools to hospitals to public safety – to make the transition as smooth as possible as we welcome our new residents.”

“I fought to BRAC-proof Maryland’s bases, now I am working to BRAC-ready our transportation systems. Fort Meade will house high-tech, high-pay jobs of the future,” Senator Mikulski said. “Their genius club at NSA, and soon-to-be DISA and Navy’s Cyber Command, will combat cyber spies, cyber criminals and cyber terrorists trying to steal our secrets and take our systems down. I wanted to make sure they – and the surrounding community – weren’t stuck in a traffic logjam. 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.”

“The relocation of thousands of BRAC-related jobs to Maryland brings with it great responsibility and enormous economic opportunity,” said Senator Cardin. “This year, Team Maryland secured more than $138 million in BRAC-related infrastructure improvements for Harford, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties that will make it possible for employees to get to their jobs safely and efficiently.” 

“BRAC is bringing thousands of new, good paying jobs to Maryland during difficult economic times,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “It is critical that we bolster our transportation infrastructure around Fort Meade so this economic growth is not stunted by traffic gridlock and does not diminish the quality of life in the surrounding area.”

“BRAC will bring new jobs while reinvigorating the workforce, commerce and economy of our region; but we need to be ready in order to fully realize the economic benefit it presents,” said Rep. Frank Kratovil.  “We fought for these funds because they represent a significant federal investment in the future Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the surrounding counties and the families who live there.”

“Our congressional delegation has fought tirelessly to secure the necessary funding for physical and human infrastructure to accommodate Base Closure and Realignment,” County Executive Leopold said. “Improvements to Route 175 at Rockenbach Road and Disney Road are critical projects to handle the growth of Fort Meade.”

“The Maryland Department of Transportation’s relationship with Congressman Ruppersberger and our other federal partners has brought much needed and greatly appreciated funding for projects that benefit all who travel throughout Maryland,” said State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “The funds announced today will certainly help prepare for enhanced safety, improved traffic flow and ease of congestion for the Ft. Meade community.”

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