Baltimore Washington Parkway Could Be Sold Under Trump Budget

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump has just put forward an infrastructure plan for the country, and it would include giving government agencies the authority to sell off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and other transportation assets. Airports, including Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in northern Virginia, could also be sold under the proposal, according to multiple media reports.

The document specifically lists both Reagan and Dulles airports as prime examples of the type of assets that the government could sell to the private sector. In addition, the proposal cites George Washington Memorial Parkway along with BW Parkway as roadways that could be privatized instead of maintained by the National Park Service, as they currently are.

BW Parkway is a heavily traveled conduit between the two cities running through Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties before reaching Baltimore. Its route takes it close to BWI Airport, Fort Meade, and into downtown Baltimore.

Trump's infrastructure plan says that the private sector would do a better job of owning and maintaining such infrastructure than states or municipalities. While many called it a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan, critics noted that the plan was almost entirely based on incentives rather than new federal dollars. Politico reports that the proposal likely won't pass Congress, with conservative Republicans already raising concerns with the proposal.

The plan would propose just $200 billion in new federal investment over the next 10 years, which Trump himself acknowledged was "not a large amount." It's also not clear what would fund the proposal.
What is clear is that the plan would turn over a huge amount of federal, state and local infrastructure to private hands.

Critics allege that the move would be irresponsible and would do nothing to improve infrastructure nationwide. They also say that privatization of public infrastructure could result in tremendous negative effects for citizens, such as an explosion in toll booths and other efforts to make a profit on those facilities.

Patch will update this story with reaction from Maryland political leaders.

Editor Dan Taylor contributed to this story.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with state and local officials about infrastructure in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)