July 19th, 2025 by WCBC Radio
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (all D-Md.) announced $2,832,390 in federal funding for the design of a new transit vehicle maintenance and storage facility to support Washington County Transit’s (WCT) growing rural transportation services. This announcement comes after the lawmakers wrote in February to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in support of Washington County’s application for funding. Washington County’s population is projected to grow by 16% between 2020 and 2040 — outpacing Maryland’s statewide average. The investment will enable Washington County Transit to expand services to meet the needs of its growing population. “Washington County’s economy is on the rise and its communities are growing with it. That’s why we supported federal funding for this expansion of Washington County Transit, and projects like this are why I fought to pass the infrastructure modernization law to invest in upgrading Maryland’s roads, bridges, and transit systems. This funding will strengthen Washington County’s transit infrastructure to meet increasing demand – and offer residents a reliable and convenient way to get where they need to go,” said Senator Van Hollen.
"I will always do everything in my power to secure federal funding for our state. That’s why I was proud to work alongside Team Maryland to secure funding for the Washington County Bus Facility Project, which will provide reliable, faster, safer, and more accessible transit service in one of our state’s largest growing areas," said Senator Alsobrooks.
“This project means more than better transit options—it means better access to jobs, education and health care for families across Washington County. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in the Maryland delegation and our state and local leaders for standing with our communities to get this done and meet their evolving needs. Together, we’re investing in a more connected, more promising future for everyone who calls this region home,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney.
“Expanding safe transit options and affordably connecting Marylanders to jobs and economic opportunities are MDOT’s top priorities,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “This BUILD grant will advance Washington County’s new bus facility to final design, laying the foundation for the growth of the county’s transit system. This will help to ensure residents have access to growing employment opportunities in logistics and warehousing, while also improving access to essential services like medical facilities – especially for older adults. Thank you to Maryland’s federal delegation, Washington County, and the Maryland Transit Administration for working together to bolster transit in Western Maryland.”
The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. Formerly known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grants Program, Federal Team Maryland fought to fund this program at $7.5 billion through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. For fiscal year 2025, the BUILD program was funded at a combined $1.845 billion from both the infrastructure law and the FY25 government funding bill.
