Hoyer, Local Officials Discuss Commitment to Southern Maryland's Transportation Future

Hoyer, Local Officials Discuss Commitment to Southern Maryland's Transportation Future

Congressman Calls for a New Direction on Energy Independence

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), along with State Senator Roy Dyson, Delegate Murray Levy, Delegate John Bohanan, and Charles County Commissioner Edith Patterson, today rolled out an additional federal share of funding for Southern Maryland's transportation future, including several federal projects already underway, at the Mattawoman-Beantown Park & Ride in Waldorf.

"In a word, traffic congestion has become abominable in the area, and these backups have ushered in substantial problems that need to be solved now," Hoyer said. "Commuting times have risen, smog and pollution have increased, and local residents who depend on their cars have had to pay much more at the gas pump. This is unacceptable."

As a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Transportation, Hoyer has played a leading role in making improvements to Southern Maryland's transportation Infrastructure.

"Whether it's investing in the Southern Maryland Commuter Bus Initiative, constructing the Hughesville Bypass, or improving Indian Head Highway, we must continue to ensure that upgrading our transportation infrastructure is a top priority," Hoyer said.

As part of Democrats' new direction on energy, Hoyer recently introduced the Program for Real Energy Security (PROGRESS) Act, an energy independence bill that, among other initiatives, focuses on investment in public transit.

"If we don't change our policies, future generations will become hostage to foreign sources of oil," Hoyer said. "One critical way to avoid this fate is through investments in our mass transit system."

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

http://hoyer.house.gov/Newsroom/index.asp?ID=768&DocumentType=Press+Release