January 25, 2017

Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Announce “A Blueprint to Rebuild America’s Infrastructure”

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has joined Senate Democrats in unveiling "A Blueprint to Rebuild America's Infrastructure." The proposal is a long-overdue $1 trillion investment that would create more than 15 million jobs over the next 10 years. It includes a proposal to fund an infrastructure bank to provide innovative financing to a broad range of projects, including clean energy as Senator Van Hollen has advocated.

"With our nation facing a D-plus grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers, there is no question that we need to be investing in modernizing our nation's infrastructure. This funding will be used in Maryland and across the country to repair roads, bridges, and transit systems, rebuild our schools, and expand broadband access. It will address critical needs in our state, while creating millions of jobs - it's a win-win," said Senator Van Hollen. "I'm especially pleased that it would capitalize an infrastructure bank to leverage private investment, which would include funding for clean energy projects like I've pushed for in my Green Bank proposal. As we move forward with the new Trump Administration, I hope there can be strong, bipartisan support for these common-sense proposals."

Maryland has a slew of pressing infrastructure needs. We need to make changes to expand operations at the Port of Baltimore and improve I-81 to improve safety and the flow of commerce. We must to relieve congestion in the Baltimore and Washington areas, including upgrading I-270 and building the Purple Line in a way that protects local communities. We need to improve Metro and dramatically increase transit connectivity throughout the state. We also need to repair aging schools throughout Maryland and expand broadband on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland. Senator Van Hollen is fighting every day for increased investment in Maryland.