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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, November 18, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny Hoyer announced that the House of Representatives passed the FY 2006 Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and District of Columbia Appropriations Conference Report, which includes federal funds for programs and projects that will greatly benefit Prince George’s County.
Congressman Hoyer is the only member in the House of Representatives from Maryland who serves on the Appropriations Committee.
"Overall, the projects that were funded in this bill will strengthen and grow the economy in Prince George’s County, provide more and better job opportunities, relieve congestion and improve driving conditions, and help foster important and innovative research to benefit Maryland families," Hoyer said.
"The new FDA laboratory at White Oak will continue the important consolidation process and save the federal government millions of dollars," Hoyer added. “In addition, transportation projects included in this bill will help make it easier to travel through our communities by upgrading key roadways and making improvements to the public transportation system in Prince George’s County, one of the fastest growing areas in the state.”
Specifically, Congressman Hoyer secured funding for the following list of programs that will benefit Prince George’s County:
5th Congressional District’s Three General Aviation Airports, $5 million
These funds will enable the Secretary of Transportation to reimburse the general aviation entities based in the district for the security costs incurred and revenue foregone as a result of the restrictions imposed by the Federal Government following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary flight restrictions on the small aircraft of general aviation as part of its effort to make commercial air travel safer. For more than three years College Park Airport in College Park, Potomac Airfield in Fort Washington, and Washington Executive/Hyde Field in Clinton, as well as general aviation services at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, were the only general aviation airports in the country that remained closed or were severely restricted to incoming and outgoing general aviation. As a result, general aviation entities based in the 5th Congressional District, including flight schools, contractors, and small airports, suffered significant financial losses. The $5 million program is an important step toward making these airport operations whole.
MD 4 and Suitland Parkway Interchange Project, $2 million
These funds will be used for the construction of the MD 4 and Suitland Parkway Interchange and additional and necessary upgrades to Suitland Parkway. The Suitland Parkway Interchange project would expand a major corridor from Calvert County in Southern Maryland to Washington, DC and improve access to the military bases in Southern Maryland. It is a major connector to numerous federal government facilities and military installations and these funds will ensure that transportation to these facilities remains safe and efficient. Last year, Congressman Hoyer secured $3.75 million for this initiative.
MD 5, MD 373, and Brandywine Interchange, $2.5 million
These funds will be used for the design of a new interchange connecting MD 5, MD 373, and Brandywine Road in Prince George’s County and the widening of MD 5 between Moore’s Road and US 301. These improvements would reduce traffic congestion caused by the growing number of Washington, DC area commuters in the Southern Maryland Region.
Andrews Air Force Base Gateway Beautification, $1.25 million
These funds will be used for major improvements to the main entrance to Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County. The project will feature a gateway monument, wildflowers such as the Black-eyed Susan and other seasonal landscaping, and architectural features that blend in with surrounding communities. Additionally, the sidewalks and landscaping will be enhanced or refurbished throughout the project location, at the intersection of Suitland and Allentown Roads.
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