Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Announce Over $190 Million for Maryland Projects in Army Corps Work Plan

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee (both D-Md.) along with Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld announced the inclusion of $194,208,400 for Maryland infrastructure, dredging, and environmental projects in theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fiscal Year 2025 Work Plan. Critically for the Port of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay, this work plan provides over $61 million for maintenance and dredging of the Port’s navigation channels, $18.6 million for smaller channels, $850,000 for environmental remediation work in Curtis Bay, and $71.9 million for Midbay projects, including additional funding towards the completion of James Island, which involves repurposing of dredged material to provide a natural habitat for Bay wildlife.
“Investing in our waterways is essential for our economic success, the safety of our residents, and the health of our environment. That’s why we fight each year to provide the Army Corps with the federal funding needed to support Maryland’s navigation and water infrastructure priorities. These investments will bolster the Port of Baltimore and the many jobs there, enhance our resiliency against climate change, improve the health of the Bay, and much more,”said Senator Van Hollen.
“The Army Corps is crucial to Maryland as the projects they complete are critical to the Port of Baltimore, a major economic driver for our state and country.  We have a responsibility to continue investment in our infrastructure and in our effort to protect natural resources for generations to come,”said Senator Alsobrooks.
"The Port of Baltimore is a hub for Maryland jobs and an engine for economic growth. And every year, the Army Corps of Engineers leads the complicated work of keeping our shipping channels clear so commerce can move to and through one of the most vibrant ports in America,"said Gov. Moore."We thank Team Maryland for securing this essential funding, which will help sharpen our economic competitiveness, protect the natural heirloom that is the Chesapeake Bay, and boost the sustainability of our ecosystem and waterways."
"This funding is a major win for Team Maryland and will help maintain commercial access to the Port of Baltimore through critical dredging efforts while also using the dredge material to restore remote island habitat at the Mid-Bay and Poplar Island projects,”said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld.“I express my sincere appreciation and thanks to our partners in Congress, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Angela Alsobrooks, Congressman Kweisi Mfume and Congressman Andy Harris, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for advancing this significant federal funding for Maryland projects.”
The federal funding has been awarded as follows: