July 24, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), co-chaired the Subcommittee hearing: “The Road Ahead: Proposals to Improve America’s Transportation Infrastructure.”

Managing Director of Policy and Partnerships at Safe Routes Partnership Marisa Jones, Deputy Director of Planning at the North Dakota Department of Transportation Chad M. Orn PE, and Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation Samantha Biddle testified at the hearing. 

WATCH SENATOR ALSOBROOKS’ OPENING STATEMENT HERE 

“Expanding the flexibility to transfer federal highway funds between programs will allow Maryland and other states to better align resources with their most urgent transportation needs, whether its building resilient infrastructure, modernizing facilities, or addressing safety. 

“This is why I was proud to join Senator Cramer in introducing the Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act. This bill increases the allowable transfer of federal highway funds between eligible programs from 50% to 75%. By increasing flexibility, this bill provides state DOTs with greater flexibility to make investment decisions that reflect their unique needs and evolving priorities. Enhanced flexibility also enables states to repurpose dollars that might otherwise go unspent, reducing the volume of unobligated funds and empowering states to tailor transportation investments at the local level. 

“How we invest in and manage our infrastructure directly impacts economic growth and safety. We all rely on safe roads, efficient transit and resilient bridges to get to work, access health care, and support local businesses. If we fail to modernize our systems or respond to state specific needs, that is a lost opportunity in so many ways.”

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