Angela Alsobrooks on Highway Funding Flexibility and Road Safety

Importance of Transportation Infrastructure

• 🚗 Safe roads, efficient transit, and resilient bridges are essential for daily life, including commuting to work, accessing healthcare, and supporting local businesses.
• 💡 The condition of infrastructure directly impacts the safety, mobility, and quality of life for all citizens.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments

• 💰 Maryland has received approximately $4.6 billion in highway and bridge funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
• 📈 The state also secured nearly $30 million for highway safety initiatives and $63 million to expand EV charging networks.
• ⚠️ Despite progress, a significant concern remains with deficient bridges, and nearly half of major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.

Economic and Safety Impacts of Poor Infrastructure

• 💸 Poor road conditions cost Maryland $12 billion annually, leading to traffic congestion, increased commuter times, and supply chain delays.
• 📉 Transit systems face funding gaps even as demand grows, highlighting the need for continued investment.

Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act

• 🤝 Senator Alsobrooks introduced the Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act with Senator Kramer to increase flexibility in federal highway funds.
• 📊 This bill proposes increasing the allowable transfer of federal highway funds between eligible programs from 50% to 75%.
• 🎯 Enhanced flexibility allows states to better align resources with urgent needs, repurpose unspent dollars, and tailor transportation investments at the local level.

Enhancing Safety and Sustainability

• 🚴 Enhancing the safe routes program is crucial for protecting pedestrians and cyclists and fostering more walkable communities.
• 🛣️ Empowering states to deliver safer, more efficient, and modern transportation infrastructure is a key goal for the next surface transportation reauthorization.