Van Hollen Marks New Phase of BRAC-Related Traffic Improvements at Walter Reed

Press Release

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen today was joined by Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards, Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, Deputy Transportation Secretary Wilson H. Parran, and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett to mark the beginning of a new phase of the BRAC-related transportation project at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. The project will add additional turn lanes to improve traffic flow at the intersection of MD 355 and Cedar Lane.

"I am pleased that another phase of the BRAC-related road improvements we fought hard to fund is beginning at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a welcome development for our soldiers, veterans and their families who deserve easy access to this world-class facility," said Congressman Van Hollen. "Commuters in the region will soon benefit from improved traffic flow and safety, one of the many reasons we worked to ensure robust federal investment in BRAC-related transportation projects."

"My promises made to BRAC-impacted communities are promises kept. Our troops who have fought to protect our nation's freedom shouldn't have to fight traffic to get the care they've earned," said Senator Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "The Walter Reed National Military Center at Bethesda is on the frontline in delivering care to our wounded men and women in uniform. I am proud to fight with Team Maryland to make BRAC a success and secure the funds in the federal checkbook needed to meet the increased demands on our communities."

"It was a team effort to secure the BRAC-related funding that will buffer the effects of thousands of new people and their cars visiting the expanded Walter Reed. Traffic congestion and an overwhelmed Metro system threatened to jeopardize the effectiveness of the BRAC process that has brought tens of thousands of new military and civilian jobs to Maryland," said Senator Cardin. "We have a responsibility to preserve the high quality of life in our Bethesda communities. And we have a responsibility to our soldiers and wounded warriors: they have been through so much fighting wars; they shouldn't have to fight traffic too."

"I am proud to have played a part in delivering critical BRAC funding to better our bases, improve transportation networks, and benefit our military community," said Congresswoman Edwards. "As the daughter of a service member and having lived on bases across the country, I know the critical role they play as anchors in local communities. Maryland has delivered the funds necessary to continue the strong relationship we have with Joint Base Andrews, Fort Meade, and the many other military installations across our state. I want to thank the O'Malley/Brown administration for their hard work, and the entire Maryland Delegation for their commitment to much needed transportation improvements."

"Maryland's Congressional delegation worked hard to secure thousands of new BRAC-related jobs and the funding necessary to prepare for them," Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger said. "I am proud of the infrastructure improvements that will ease congestion around the bases, especially Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground in my district."

"From our first days in office, our Administration has worked closely with Maryland's Congressional Delegation, as well as state, local and military officials to ensure we make the necessary investments in Maryland's infrastructure to support the job growth and demand generated by BRAC," said Lt. Governor Brown. "Thanks to this partnership, we are reducing congestion and enhancing traffic safety along Rockville Pike in Bethesda and moving forward with other key BRAC transportation projects at Fort Meade, Joint Base Andrews and Aberdeen Proving Ground. With these critical investments, we are improving our transportation infrastructure, creating jobs and strengthening Maryland's military readiness."

"Thanks to the leadership of Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown in securing passage of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, the Maryland Department of Transportation has a sustainable funding source that will allow us to continue to meet our commitment to statewide BRAC transportation projects," said Deputy Transportation Secretary Wilson H. Parran. "We thank our Congressional Delegation for their support as well in securing critical funding for these BRAC transportation projects."

"Thanks to our Maryland delegation and Lt. Governor Brown, the projects that are going forward with this funding will truly make a difference in alleviating traffic gridlock in Bethesda -- ensuring that patients, doctors and families visiting our wounded warriors can receive the service they deserve," said County Executive Ike Leggett.

$300 million was included for BRAC-related transportation mitigation efforts at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda and the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia as part of the FY2010 Defense Appropriations Act.