Chapter 725 – Priority Letter Guidance 

Chapter 725, Actsof 2010 requires additional clarity and standards to define how the Department of Transportation evaluates and selects proposed major capital projects for inclusion in the Construction Program of the CTP. It requires MDOT and the local jurisdictions seeking project funding to demonstrate the relationship between prioritized projects and the long-term goals of the Maryland Transportation Plan, the Climate Action Plan Goals (as outlined in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan)and local land use plans.

The purpose of this site is to provide written guidance to local jurisdictions to supplement the Chapter 725 guidelines as well as to offer assistance of MDOT staff. Our intention is to make this as much of a cooperative process between the counties and MDOT as possible.

Priority letters should be limited in the number of priority projects included to reflect realistic funding availability. To that end, MDOT encourages coordination between the counties and local municipalities concerning mutual needs and priorities. Also, the Department encourages multi-modal submissions, including transit, pedestrian, and bicycle needs, to enable local governments to have a greater impact on all State transportation investment decisions.

MDOT is requesting that counties submit their priority letters on or around the first of April each year. Priority letters should be endorsed by the Commissioners/Council (and/or County Executive as appropriate), as well as a majority of the local legislative delegation.

Priority letters should detail how each priority project supports the goals of the Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP) , including the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act goals, and are consistent with the County’s land use plan goals. The four goals of the MTP are:

• Enhance Safety and Security: Protect the safety and security of all residents, workers, and visitors.
• Deliver System Quality: Deliver a reliable, high-quality, integrated transportation system.
• Serve Communities and Support the Economy: Expand transportation options to allow Maryland’s diverse communities to access opportunities and to support the movement of goods.
• Promote Environmental Stewardship: Minimize and mitigate the environmental effects of transportation.

The full MTP is available on the web here
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan is available on the web here

For each project listed in a priority letter, the following information must be provided:

1. Brief project purpose and need (a paragraph or two) with a map of the project location.
2. Brief description as to how the project meets the goals of the Maryland Transportation Plan, including the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.
3. Brief description of how the project supports the goals and objectives of the local government's landuse plan.

The Department seeks to minimize the burden of these requirements. Therefore, we are providing you with a link for Chapter 725. Following are some Frequently Asked Questions. Further, MDOT staff will be happy to help you should you wish to coordinate with the Department in advance of your submission. Please use the online Chapter 725 Project Questionnaire to submit details regarding the project you are requesting funding.

• Dan Janousek– Baltimore Metropolitan Area Regional Planner / Calvert - St. Mary's MPO (C-SMMPO), djanousek@mdot.state.md.us , 410-865-1098, or toll-free in Maryland at 888-813-1414
• Kari Snyder – Washington Metropolitan Area Regional Planner, ksnyder3@mdot.state.md.us , 410-865-1305, or toll-free in Maryland at 888-813-1414
• Vacant – Rural Area Regional Planner - 888-813-1414

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a major capital project?

Major capital project generally includes a new, expanded or significantly improved facility or service that generally involves planning, environmental studies, design, right-of-way acquisition, construction or purchase of essential equipment related to the facility or service.

Why send a priority letter to MDOT?

These letters publicly express to MDOT local priorities for major capital projects so those needs can be included in decision making on our budget. Each year, the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) or six year capital budget for State transportation projects, will be revised based on these letters, State needs, State goals and funding availability.

Should priority letters request Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Designation?

Yes, each jurisdiction should use the priority letter process to annually request consideration for TOD designations. To learn more about TODs and State TOD designations, please visit MDOT's TOD page .

When should priority letters be submitted to MDOT?

In April every year or as soon thereafter as possible.

What is the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP)?

The CTP is Maryland’s six-year capital budget for transportation projects. The Capital Program includes major and minor projects for the Maryland Department of Transportation and its modal agencies. The CTP is the comprehensive listing of transportation investments to be made by the State of Maryland. Each year, MDOT published the State Report on Transportation (SRT). The SRT contains three important documents; the Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP), the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) and the annual Attainment Report (AR) on Transportation System Performance.

How is the CTP Developed?

A Draft CTP is published by September 1 of each year and the final CTP is published by the third Wednesday in January as part of the Governor’s Budget to the Legislature. In order for the local jurisdictions to express their transportation capital project priorities and be considered for the Draft CTP, the priority letters should be submitted to MDOT by the first week of April each year.

Who should participate in the priority letter development process?

Priority letters should be coordinated amongst all local jurisdictions with planning, public works and economic staff. Priority letters should be endorsed by the Commissioners/Council (and/or County Executive as appropriate), as well as a majority of the local legislative delegation.

What types of projects should be included in priority letter requests?

The Department encourages multi-modal submissions, including transit, pedestrian, and bicycle needs, to enable local governments to have a greater impact on all State transportation investment decisions.

Where can I find the Maryland Transportation Plan?

You can view the MTP here.

What is the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act Plan?

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009 mandated that the State propose a plan that achieves a 25 percent statewide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, while also spurring job creation and helping to improve the economy. The plan, which was finalized in 2013,spurs reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through incentives and other means that increase energy efficiency using existing technologies, helps reduce VMT and promotes increased transit ridership, and identifies ways to transition to new energy sources and stimulate further technology development.

Where can I find the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act Plan?

What is Chapter 725?

In 2010, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill intended to enhance transparency and accountability in the evaluation and selection of proposed major capital projects for the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP).

Please see the Chapter 725 Project Questionnaire

Where can I find the new Chapter 725 Law?

Chapter 725 Law

What is Chapter 30?

Chapter 30, Acts of 2017 (Senate Bill 307), requires the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to develop a project–based scoring system for all major transportation projects being considered for inclusion in the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP). For more information on Chapter 30, visit the Chapter 30 Scoring Model

• Maryland's OneStop Web Portal New User Instructions
• Application and Maryland OneStop

Where can I see other county priority letters?

You can view all county priority letter requests submitted to MDOT over the past few years.