If you currently reside in a
Montgomery County Maryland home or commute through this county, this article is essential to the current scenario of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), in Bethesda. In 2005 the state of Maryland established the BRAC Commission, a commission that will relocate several thousand jobs located outside of the state to 5 military installations in Maryland. The BRAC plan covers how the state of Maryland will handle the arrival of the many new residents, jobs, and national defense and security activities. The BRAC plan projects completion by September, 2011. One of the challenges that come along with BRAC is providing additional transportation, in addition the infrastructures that will be needed to support the increased number of commuters. Aspects that will help aid in the success of the BRAC Transportation Action Plan are the relationships set up between Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). These are leading agency in setting up the states BRAC activities, and the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP). At the same time that the state of Maryland is looking into accommodating the challenges that come along with the BRAC plan, they are trying to keep all Marylanders’ quality of life the same if not better. On March 23rd, 2009 at the Medical Center Metro Station at a press conference, Congressman Van Hollen and County Executive Isiah Leggett advertised the states support and willingness to partner with local and federal leaders in order to get Maryland ready for BRAC.
During the most recent press conference Congressman Van Hollen announced his plan which would also ask for federal funding in an amount of $40 million from the 2010 budget. This money will be dedicated to improving the transportation that surrounds Walter Reed National Naval Medical Center. One of the reasons for this, is with the new Medical Center Opening in September of 2011 it is predicted that the daily visits will increase by around 4,000 people. Currently the Maryland Department of Transportation is working on improving all areas of transportation including pedestrian, bicycle, and roadway improvements, in order to help aid in the success of the new Medical Center. One of the issues that the Maryland Department of Transportation is working on is keeping traffic down on this congested roadway. In order to do this it will take a joint effort of the federal, state, and local governments.
