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A bill that would funnel $2.3 million toward improvements at roads surrounding Andrews Air Force base has passed a major hurdle to helping local intersections handle the federal military reorganization.

On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a funding request to help roads near four Maryland military bases that will gain employees — and potentially, road congestion — under the Base Realignment And Closure process, or BRAC.

Andrews Air Force Base in southern Prince George's, as well as Fort George G. Meade in Anne Arundel County, Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County and the National Naval Medical Center in Montgomery County are slated to evenly split $9.2 million in federal funds.

The Maryland State Highway Administration could receive the federal money in the spring, said David Buck, an SHA spokesman.

The $2.3 million would be used for design, right-of-way or construction of intersection improvements on major base access routes, including Suitland Parkway. The money would also help pay for bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements.

BRAC is expected to relocate 3,000 additional government employees to Andrews next year, part of a military reorganization that will bring 45,000 to 60,000 new jobs to Maryland during the next several years.

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a senior member of the committee, requested the funding in the fiscal 2010 Senate Transportation, Housing, Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The Senate subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday.

The bill will head to the Senate floor and then to the House to be voted on. The funds could be approved before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

"BRAC brings great opportunities, but it also brings great challenges," Mikulski said Wednesday in a statement. That's why I want to make sure Maryland has what it needs to implement the BRAC decisions and meet the increased demands on our communities."

E-mail Alison Walker at aewalker@gazette.net.