The Washington Metropolitan region suffers from some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation, and that’s why Congressman Chris Van Hollen is actively working with State and local officials to address this significant challenge to our quality of life.  Listed below, in alphabetical order, are his Fiscal Year 2010 Surface Transportation project requests.  Congressman Van Hollen reviewed all the requests carefully, and these transportation improvements reflect the priorities of the State of Maryland, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 

The Bus Replacement Project — Prince George’s County

This request will enable Prince George’s County, Maryland to purchase ten replacement hybrid-electric buses to modernize its aging fleet.  Modernizing the county’s bus fleet will support Prince George’s transit-oriented development strategy while improving the safety, reliability and environmental impact of the vehicles it uses to meet its citizens’ mobility needs.  The intended recipient is the Maryland Transit Administration, 6 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, and the 80% federal share of the $6 million cost estimate through 2011 is $4.8 million.

The Corridor Cities Transitway

The Corridor Cities Transitway is a proposed 13.5-mile light rail or bus rapid transit line in Montgomery County, Maryland, extending from the Shady Grove Metrorail Station in Rockville through Gaithersburg and Germantown to a terminus at the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) facility south of Clarksburg.  The CCT study is part of a larger effort, the I-270/US 15 Multi-Modal Corridor Study, being conducted by the Maryland Department of Transportation and examining a wide range of roadway improvements, including the introduction of express toll lanes on I-270. The intended recipient is the Maryland Transit Administration, 6 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, and the 80% federal share of the $750 million cost estimate for this regional project through 2015 is $600 million.

Maryland Statewide Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS)

The Maryland Transit Administration provides Section 5309 funds to expand fleets, replace aged vehicles, and enhance bus maintenance facilities for Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS) throughout the State.  After 12 years of service, 40 foot buses consume excessive maintenance resources and are ready for retirement, consistent with Federal Transit Administration regulations.  In many cases, local systems with smaller, less durable units must replace vehicles more frequently.  Replacing buses supports regional mobility while enhancing operational safety and reducing environmental impact. The intended recipient is the Maryland Transit Administration, 6 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, and the 80% federal share of the $75 million cost estimate for this statewide project through 2015 is $60 million.

The Purple Line

The Purple Line is a proposed 16-mile light rail or bus rapid transit line extending from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County.  The project will provide a direct connection to the Metrorail Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton, as well as connections to MARC commuter rail, Amtrak and local bus services. Additionally, it will reduce travel times for transit riders, including those in the heavily transit-dependent communities of Takoma Park and Langley Park. The Purple Line must be built in a manner that protects the integrity of the Capital Crescent Trail and minimizes the impact on homeowners near the line.  The intended recipient is the Maryland Transit Administration, 6 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, and the 80% federal share of the $1.5 billion cost estimate for this regional project through 2015 is $1.2 billion.

Rockville Pike Multi-Modal Boulevard Project

Rockville Pike is one of the most heavily trafficked roads in the state of Maryland.  This project reframes the city of Rockville’s portion of Rockville Pike as an attractive, urban boulevard that employs a modal split to concurrently move a large volume of through-traffic while safely accommodating local traffic and providing efficient transportation options for pedestrians, bicycles and transit. It will be a catalyst for sustainable economic redevelopment while improving pedestrian safety and air quality for area residents.  The intended recipient is the City of Rockville, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850, and the 80% federal share of the $9.4 million cost estimate through 2016 is $7.52 million.

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Intersection Improvements

This project will address congestion due to anticipated increase in traffic volumes as a result of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) related growth at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.  Funds will be used for right-of-way acquisition and construction of priority intersection improvements identified by the Maryland Department of Transportation, in coordination with Montgomery County and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Base Commander to improve safety, operations and access to the facility so that our nation’s wounded warriors can receive the care they deserve and the impact on the surrounding community is minimized.  The intended recipient is the Maryland Department of Transportation, 7201 Corporate Center Drive, Hanover, MD 21076, and the 80% federal share of the $37.5 million cost estimate through 2015 is $30 million.

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Metro Underpass Project

This project will address both congestion and pedestrian safety due to anticipated increases in traffic and pedestrian volumes crossing Route 355 as a result of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) related growth at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.  Funds will be used for right-of-way acquisition, design and construction of a pedestrian underpass to connect the existing NIH-Medical Center Metrorail Station and Metrobus/Ride On Bus Transit Center with the new Walter Reed hospital complex in order to safely accommodate pedestrian travel and improve traffic flow along Route 355.  The intended recipient is the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, 101 Monroe Street, 10th Floor, Rockville, MD 20850 and the 80% federal share of the $30 million cost estimate through 2013 is $24 million.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Bus Facilities Upgrade Project

Half of WMATA-owned bus garages were built before 1950, and some of the oldest were converted trolley barns, one of which dates from 1907. New bus facilities would help meet the national capital region’s future mobility needs by expanding regional bus services and improve regional air quality by accommodating newer, more energy efficient buses than can currently fit into WMATA’s older bus facilities. The intended recipient is the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, and the 80% federal share of the $265 million cost estimate for this regional project through 2016 is $212 million.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Sustainability Initiative

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Sustainability Initiative is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency at WMATA’s rail yards, bus facilities and other Metro-owned buildings throughout the national capital region.  The project will include deployment of solar panels on top of select WMATA facilities, HVAC and water heating/boiler upgrades to reduce energy and water use and installation of more efficient lighting systems in WMATA facilities.  The intended recipient is the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, and the 80% federal share of the $26 million cost estimate for this regional project through 2011 is $20.8 million.