FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: MDOT Public Affairs
David Broughton, 410-865-1029
Jim Joyner, 410-865-1030
Transportation Officials Outline Budget and Provide Key Project Updates 
ELLICOTT CITY, MD (September 29, 2022) – Maryland Transportation Secretary James F. Ports, Jr., and other representatives of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) met today with Howard County officials to discuss MDOT's six-year Draft FY 2023-2028 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP). The Draft CTP calls for a record $19.9 billion six-year investment to replace and repair aging infrastructure, expand transit opportunities, support Maryland's economic recovery and preserve and expand the state's transportation network.
The Draft FY 2023-2028 CTP is nearly $2.2 billion more than the Final FY 2022-2027 CTP, and utilizes $1.3 billion in additional federal formula funds from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress last fall, as well as improved post-pandemic revenue estimates and an increased share of state corporate income tax revenue allocated to MDOT.
“This is Maryland's largest six-year capital transportation budget ever," said Secretary Ports. “The Draft CTP invests wisely in Maryland's future and makes good use of additional federal funding and other resources to create jobs, support the state economy, deliver priority projects and provide hundreds of millions of dollars more in Highway User Revenues to local jurisdictions."
Each year, MDOT officials conduct a tour of all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City to update local officials and the public on the Draft CTP and its investments in MDOT business units funded by the state's Transportation Trust Fund: Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), State Highway Administration (SHA), Maryland Port Administration (MPA), Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and The Secretary's Office. At the meeting in Howard County, officials also discussed the Maryland Transportation Authority's (MDTA) $2.6 billion in additional investments in state toll roads and bridges.
The Draft FY 2023-2028 CTP proposes to invest 35% of the six-year budget, or $6.9 billion, on system preservation to achieve and maintain a state of good repair for state roads, bridges, transit, airports and Maryland's Port of Baltimore. That investment is $800 million more than last year's CTP package.
Secretary Ports said the Draft CTP provides a dramatic increase in transportation and infrastructure funding for local governments through the state's Highway User Revenue program.
As a result of the bipartisan agreement Governor Larry Hogan negotiated with lawmakers during the 2022 Maryland General Assembly session, HUR funding for local jurisdictions will increase incrementally from FY 2024 to FY 2027. Overall, jurisdictions will receive a projected increase of 33% over the next six years to help advance transportation priorities and provide matching funds to capitalize on federal grants.
Secretary Ports noted that the majority of federal funding coming to Maryland through the IIJA was the state's regular formula funding already allocated in the Final FY 2022-2027 CTP.
However, the Draft FY 2023-2028 CTP does program $1.3 billion in “new" IIJA federal formula funding: $166 million for transit, $178 million for airports and $966 million for highways. These allocations are based on the federal formula outlined in the IIJA by the Federal Government.
He said MDOT is continuing to work closely with federal partners on criteria to program additional projects for transit and highways, and some additional funding may be available to state and local jurisdictions through discretionary grants that are part of IIJA and other longstanding federal grant programs. MDOT will continue to work with local jurisdictions as they apply for available grants.
Secretary Ports said the additional IIJA funding will aid long-term state of good repair investments and fulfill Governor Hogan's commitment to advance at least one new priority project in every county and Baltimore City. For Howard County, the Draft FY 2023-2028 CTP includes funds toward various Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) improvements along I-70, US 29, US 40, MD 99 and MD 144. These technology-based improvements will address the county's top transportation priority to increase safety, provide traffic relief and enhance operations along these corridors
He said under Governor Hogan's leadership, MDOT has accomplished a great deal over the last eight years, including improvements to make Maryland roads and bridges safer and less congested. In terms of bridges, the state has repaired or replaced all 69 poorly rated spans that were identified in 2015. Today, MDOT has 26 poorly rated bridges – a historical low – and all are under construction, funded for construction or in design.
The secretary also noted investments that have focused on new technologies and expansion of Maryland job market and economy, including:
- MDTA's conversion to all-electronic tolling across the state;
- infrastructure investments at Maryland's Port of Baltimore that helped keep the state's supply chain open and flowing during the pandemic; and
- dramatic expansion of cargo activities at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. BWI is now handling more air cargo than Reagan National and Dulles airports combined.
Regarding highways, SHA Administrator Tim Smith discussed the agency's work to maintain and expand the state's highway network to meet current and future needs. He stressed SHA's focus on the foundational goals of accessibility, mobility and asset management – ensuring the state's highway infrastructure is in a state of good repair and utilizing new technologies and innovative strategies.
Administrator Smith also emphasized SHA's continued collaboration and partnership with the county.
In Howard County, a ribbon cutting took place in August for the widening of MD 32. The additional lane in each direction, coupled with work on the Triadelphia Bridge addresses safety, accessibility, and mobility.
Other SHA projects include the start of the MD 94 bridge rehabilitation project over I-70 in Lisbon and widening MD 103 from US 29 to the Long Gate Shopping Center, and pedestrian improvements to four intersections along US 1 between North Laurel and Elkridge.
Also, along US 1, the sidewalk project from Crestmont Road and Cedar Avenue to Cedar Road – which the county contributed toward right of way needs – should start later this year or early next year. SHA also will be wrapping up intersection work at MD 108 in Columbia.
MDTA reminds customers to settle Video Toll bills: 62 more days left before November 30 deadline
MDTA Executive Director Will Pines gave an update on the $28 million Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study, Tier 2, which Governor Hogan launched in June. The Tier 2 study is part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and is expected to last four to five years. It will build on findings from the Tier 1 study, which identified Corridor 7, the corridor containing the existing Bay Bridge, as the Selected Corridor Alternative. MDTA recently held a series of open house events to inform residents and other stakeholders of the Tier 2 schedule and opportunities for feedback. More details are available at baycrossingstudy.com.
Those with outstanding Video Toll bills from Maryland toll bridges and roads have 62 more days remaining in MDTA's civil penalty waiver grace period, which started in February and continues through 11:59 p.m. November 30, 2022. For every Video Toll transaction paid in full during the grace period, the civil penalty is waived.
The agency also stopped referring unpaid toll bills to the Central Collection Unit (CCU) and to MVA during the grace period. Starting December 1, 2022, referrals to CCU and the MVA will start back up, and customers will be responsible for the full amounts of all unpaid tolls – as well as the civil penalties – which will be due based on the printed due dates. He said call volumes and wait times have been greatly reduced, and customers can go to https://csc.driveezmd.com/pay-tolls-now or call 1-866-320-9995 for assistance.
MTA focuses on state of good repair, safety, reliability
MTA Administrator Holly Arnold discussed the agency's investments and priorities throughout the state, including investments that ensure the transit system remains safe and reliable. Over the past three years, MTA has significantly reduced a backlog of projects needed to support the system's state of good repair, and MTA recently outlined a plan to achieve 98% of those needs by 2031.
MTA funding in the Draft CTP includes:
- $405 million for bus replacements, including zero-emission vehicles beginning in 2025;
- $400 million for Metro Subway railcar replacements;
- $185 million for MARC locomotive and railcar overhauls and replacements;
- $237 million for MARC track and guideway;
- $263 million for Metro Subway and Light Rail guideway;
- $51 million for Metro Subway station upgrades; and
- $207 million for elevator and escalator overhauls.
MTA also is nearing completion on the $65 million MARC Riverside Heavy Maintenance facility in Baltimore, which will enable MTA to enhance train and railcar maintenance and support major transit improvements along the Northeast Corridor.
To enhance rider services, MTA now offers real-time updates through the Transit app on arrival times and other information for Light Rail, Local Bus, Commuter Bus, MARC and Metro Subway, and offers mobile fare payment with CharmPass and CharmFlex 3- and 10-day passes.
MTA makes a significant investment in transit in Howard County, awarding $300,000 for Howard County's Statewide Transit Innovation Grant project to develop and operate a weekday micro transit pilot project around the US 1 corridor area.
MVA's Customer Connect makes more services available online
MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer told officials that MVA continues to operate by appointment only at its branches, and serves 75% of branch customers within 15 minutes of their appointment. The agency also now offers more transactions online than ever before. MVA's Customer Connect system enhances online transactions and gives customers a complete view of their status and history in a single profile. Customers can access features through myMVA.
In May, Maryland became the second state to launch its Maryland Mobile ID in Apple Wallet. Maryland Mobile ID is a voluntary, secure, digitized version of a Maryland driver's license or ID. It's available in the Apple Wallet app or Apple Watch.
Administrator Nizer discussed the Hogan Administration's recent announcement of more than $373,000 for Howard County agencies to address highway safety. She also provided an update on MVA's work to help Marylanders meet the federal REAL ID requirement by the May 3, 2023, deadline. Currently 87% of Marylanders are REAL ID compliant.
BWI and Port of Baltimore rebound from the pandemic, chart a course for the future
MAA Executive Director Ricky Smith said passenger traffic at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport continues to rebound, trending at about 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Three new airlines started service at BWI in recent months, and several new or returning international and domestic airline routes have been added this year.
BWI Marshall has several capital projects underway that will add new services and amenities for our customers, including a new aircraft maintenance facility for Southwest Airlines, the new Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage Handling System, and an extensive restroom improvement program. IIJA funds will advance important airfield improvement projects at BWI Marshall and Martin State airports.
MAA is continuing to support the 35 public-use airports that serve communities across the state, and will administer $3.5 million in state grants during Fiscal Year 2023 for regional airports.
Maryland's Port of Baltimore is advancing the Howard Street Tunnel expansion, a project that will grow jobs and spark growth in the logistics and supply train industry across the state. The project is a partnership between state, local and federal agencies, as well as CSX.
Expansion of the tunnel in Baltimore will make it possible for double-stacked rail cars to travel from the port. When completed, it will provide double-stack capacity from Maine to Florida, and allow the port to send double-stacked containers by rail into the Ohio Valley and onto Chicago. The project will increase port business by about 160,000 additional containers per year, and generate about 7,300 new jobs, including good-paying trucking, warehouse and distribution center jobs across Maryland.