​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Maryland Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs
David Broughton, 410-865-1029
Jim Joyner, 410-865-1030

Officials Outline Six-Year Draft Budget and Provide Key Project Updates  

LARGO, MD (October 10, 2023) – Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and other representatives of the Maryland Department of Transportation met today with Prince George's County officials to discuss the department's six-year Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program. The plan calls for a $21.2 billion, six-year investment to create a safer, cleaner, efficient and accessible transportation system connecting Marylanders to jobs, schools, recreation, health care and services.

“Delivering safe, reliable, equitable and sustainable transportation is critical to Maryland's economic health and the vibrancy of neighborhoods across the state. This Draft CTP is inspired by that mission," said Secretary Wiedefeld. “We know there are challenges ahead, and we are committed to fiscal responsibility and collaboration with local communities, stakeholders and elected officials as we deliver the transportation network Marylanders need and deserve."

The Draft Consolidated Transportation Program includes funding to maintain existing transportation facilities, expand transit opportunities, invest in Maryland's economic growth and support the state's long-term goals for mobility, safety, equity, environmental stewardship and economic growth. To view the full Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program, go to ctp.maryland.gov.

The program allocates funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as investment in the transition to zero-emission transit buses and other carbon reduction and resiliency programs, establishing Maryland as national leader in addressing climate goals. The program also includes funding to promote Transit-Oriented Development to spur economic growth in transit corridors, and for projects to support Complete Streets – an initiative to make Maryland's roadways safer and more accessible for all users, and help reduce the number of roadway fatalities and injuries.

The program outlines investments in each mode funded by the Transportation Trust Fund: Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, State Highway Administration and The Secretary's Office, as well as Maryland's investment in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

The plan also includes an additional $2.7 billion investment planned by the Maryland Transportation Authority. Receiving no funds from the Transportation Trust Fund, the Maryland Transportation Authority's toll facilities are fully financed, constructed, operated, maintained, improved and protected with toll revenues paid by customers using those facilities.

At Tuesday's meeting, transportation officials offered details of projects affecting Prince George's County. In addition to Secretary Wiedefeld, officials attending included State Highway Administrator William Pines; Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer; Maryland Transit Administration Planning and Programming Assistant Deputy Administrator Liz Gordon; and Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director Ricky Smith and Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Joey Sagal.

Also attending was Drew Morrison, Acting Director of the Washington Area Transit Office, which oversees the department's interaction with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Maryland Transit Administration Assistant Deputy Administrator Gordon told officials that the Maryland Transit Administration is contributing nearly $13 million in operating and capital grants to support local transit operations in Prince George's County.

She also updated officials on the status of the Purple Line light rail project between New Carrollton in Prince George's County and Bethesda in Montgomery County. Construction on the Purple Line is now more than 58% complete, with underground utility relocations 98% completion. There are more than 60 active construction sites along the alignment with approximately 1,100 workers. Along Veterans Parkway, the Glenridge Operation and Maintenance Facility is fully operational, and Purple Line light rail vehicles are expected to be delivered to the Glenridge facility in early 2024.

Additionally, she said the agency is advancing planning for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit project, which is proposed to provide high-capacity transit service in the MD 5/US 301 corridor between Prince George's and Charles counties. The project has $20 million allocated in state and federal funding, and the Maryland Transit Administration is working with both counties on agreements to move the project into the required National Environmental Protection Act process.

State Highway Administrator Pines said the long-awaited restart of the MD 4 at Suitland Interchange Improvements Project was advertised last month. The $285 million project seeks to address challenges posed by traffic volumes, particularly during peak hours, by constructing a diamond interchange. The interchange has been identified by the county as a priority project. 

Administrator Pines also updated officials on the ongoing US 1 (Rhode Island Avenue) Trolley Trail in Hyattsville. The agency is working to complete the project by the end of this year. The nearly $8 million project includes a new, 10-foot-wide, half-mile long shared-use path along northbound US 1, and will create a vital link between the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail and the Anacostia Tributary Trail.

He also noted that last month, Governor Wes Moore announced more than $25 million federal and state grants for 40 bicycle, pedestrian and trail projects across Maryland – including $48,000 to College Park through the Recreational Trails Program for intersection improvements related to the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail.

​Officials noted other allocations for the county in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program:

• $227,000 in highway safety grants to agencies including the Prince George's County Police Department, the City of Bowie, Hyattsville, Laurel, Riverdale and Greenbelt police departments and the University of Maryland Department of Public Safety; and
• $200,000 to College Park Airport for airfield navigational equipment, and $67,000 to support tree trimming at Potomac Airfield in the Fort Washington area.

Washington Area Transit Office Acting Director Morrison told officials the Maryland Department of Transportation supports the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in its transit-oriented development at Metro stations in Maryland. Currently, the department is supporting studies at the Capitol Heights, Largo Town Center, Morgan Boulevard and Southern Avenue Metro stations in Prince George's County, and the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program includes $1 million a year in continued commitment to joint development efforts.

Acting Director Morrison said these studies further support the Moore-Miller Administration's goal of making transit a catalyst to lift neighborhoods, boost the economy, create jobs and connect residents with opportunity.

The Prince George's County meeting was part of the Maryland Department of Transportation's tour of all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City to discuss the funding plan and receive input from local officials and the public. The tour continues into November. Dates and locations for upcoming sessions can be found here. The schedule is subject to change and will be updated as needed throughout the process.

Following the tour, the Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program will be finalized and submitted in January for consideration during the 2024 General Assembly session.