FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]
March 14, 2022
Wes Moore and Aruna Miller Release Plan to Build a Better, Cleaner, and More Equitable Transportation Infrastructure
Comprehensive plan outlines how improvements to Maryland’s infrastructure will drive economic growth for Maryland families and ensure equitable access
Transportation leaders and stakeholders across Maryland commend Moore’s vision and framework to address transportation infrastructure
BALTIMORE (Mar. 14, 2022) – Across Maryland, transportation projects have stalled and available resources have not been fully leveraged, leaving many Marylanders disconnected from economic opportunities. To tackle these and other transportation challenges, today, Democratic candidate for Maryland Governor Wes Moore and his running mate, former Del. Aruna Miller unveiled a comprehensive plan to build a better, cleaner and more equitable transportation infrastructure.
The Moore-Miller plan applies a broad stroke in assessing Maryland’s transportation needs to ensure that all Marylanders benefit from the work, wages and wealth generated across the state’s economy. The Moore-Miller plan for transportation connects people to opportunities by expediting much-needed rail projects like the Purple Line and an intermodal Red Line, developing high-speed rail between Washington and Baltimore, and better leveraging the economic potential of the Port of Baltimore and BWI Marshall airport.
“Transportation systems are the veins of commerce connecting goods and services to people and ensuring that our economy can thrive,” said Wes Moore. “As Governor, I will remove the politics from transportation and take immediate action to ensure that Maryland returns to its roots as a transportation innovator with an intentional focus on people. By bolstering our economic potential through sound policies, we will direct resources to meet our most critical needs and lift all of Maryland in the process.”
The plan recognizes the important connection between transportation and economic mobility, and is an essential component to building an efficient and equitable transportation system that liberates economic growth in our region, drives billions in new investment, protects our environment and connects people with jobs.
The plan commits to activate all government agencies and services, improve mass transit by focusing on the people who rely on it most, address the connection between transportation and public health, and increase the number of electric vehicles on the road. Additionally, Moore and Miller are committed to removing politics from decision-making and addressing transit inequality and the disproportionate environmental and health impacts that have produced a legacy of race-based policies.
Moore’s running mate, former delegate and civil engineer Aruna Miller, emphasized the need to prioritize knowledge of existing issues, experience in tackling transportation challenges in urban, suburban and rural areas, along with the competence to address the demands on transportation infrastructure.
“I have devoted my 25-year career at the Montgomery County Department of Transportation to creating equitable transportation access to connect people to opportunities, improving safety and alleviating traffic,” Miller said. “And that’s why I’m proud of our comprehensive plan for Maryland’s transportation infrastructure, and am confident our policies will improve the lives of Maryland families by guaranteeing interconnectivity and accessibility across the state and the region.”
“Wes Moore and Aruna Miller have developed a comprehensive policy that is inclusive of the transportation pillars critical to its success – people, infrastructure, and connection,” added Phil Washington, former member of the Biden Transportation Transition team. “The plan envisions a regional approach that uses federal infrastructure funding to expand transit-oriented communities (TOCs) to better manage traffic congestion and invest in improvements like usable mass transit, expanding commuter rail throughout the state, and developing true high-speed rail capacity on the Northeast Corridor. It meets the mark by connecting people with places to deliver a better quality of life.”
“Every Marylander deserves access to a range of safe and accessible transportation. My constituents rely on Metro, MARC, highways, local roads, and bike lanes to connect them to their communities and to economic opportunity,” said Sen. Cheryl Kagan (District 17). “The Moore-Miller administration will implement common-sense solutions to address traffic problems and provide access to reliable transportation. Their plan demonstrates the inclusive, holistic approach we need to finally deliver on the promise of equitable transportation infrastructure across our state.”
Del. Regina T. Boyce (District 43) shared her support for the plan. “Transportation is a fundamental driver of economic growth. When approached through an equitable lens, it can connect people to employment, open up investments in communities–all while protecting our environment. Wes Moore and Aruna Miller have the combined leadership and experience to be the stewards we need to take the politics out of transportation and build a best in class transportation infrastructure that leaves no community behind.”
The transportation and mobility plan is the latest in a string of comprehensive policy frameworks announced by Wes Moore’s campaign, joining a plan to unlock economic opportunity for Maryland’s Black families, an economic plan to increase work, wages, and wealth for every family in Maryland, an action plan to support Marylanders during the surge of COVID cases, a plan to build a cleaner, more prosperous Maryland, and a statewide plan for public safety and criminal justice.
Wes Moore and Aruna Miller’s rapidly growing coalition includes endorsements from former Governor and former Prince George’s County Executive Parris Glendening; Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks; Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman; Former Baltimore County Executive Don Mohler; Former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith; Sen. Antonio Hayes (District 40); Sen. Cheryl Kagan (District 17); Sen. Delores Kelley (District 10); Sen. Obie Patterson (District 26); Del. Marlon Amprey (District 40); Del. Kumar Barve (District 17); Del. Ben Barnes (District 21); Del. Lisa Belcastro (District 11); Del. Regina Boyce (District 43); Del. Chanel Branch (District 45); Del. Frank Conaway, Jr. (District 40); Del. Anne Kaiser (District 14); Del. Mike Rogers (District 32); Del. and Baltimore City Delegation Chair Stephanie Smith (District 45); Del. Melissa Wells (District 40); Del. Nicole Williams (District 22); Bowie Mayor Pro Tem & Councilmember Adrian Boafo; Baltimore City Councilmember John Bullock (District 9); Morningside Mayor Bennard Cann; Baltimore City Councilmember Zeke Cohen (District 1); Baltimore City Councilmember Mark Conway (District 4); Baltimore City Councilmember Eric Costello (District 11); Bowie City Councilmember Michael Estève (District 1); Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (At Large); Baltimore County Council Chair and Councilmember Julian Jones (District 4); Baltimore City Councilmember Phylicia Porter (District 10); Baltimore City Councilmember Odette Ramos (District 14); Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin; Riverdale Park Councilmember Richard Smith (Ward 1); Baltimore City Councilmember Robert Stokes (District 12); Baltimore City Councilmember James Torrence (District 7); Forest Heights Mayor Calvin Washington; former Maryland Democratic Party chairs Michael Cryor and Susie Turnbull; The Baltimore Fire Officers Union Local 964; Impact, a leading national organization supporting the Indian American and South Asian community; and VoteVetsPAC, one of the top veterans advocacy organizations in the country.
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