<span>MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MEETS WITH BALTIMORE CITY OFFICIALS AS PART OF STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION TOUR

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

BALTIMORE, MD (October 23, 2023) – Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and other representatives of the Maryland Department of Transportation met today with Baltimore City 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 economy 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 Monday's meeting, transportation officials offered details of projects affecting Baltimore City. In addition to Secretary Wiedefeld, officials attending included State Highway Administrator William Pines; Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer; Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold; Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director Ricky Smith, Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Joey Sagal and Maryland Port Administration Interim Acting Executive Director Brian Miller.

Maryland Transit Administrator Arnold gave an update on the ongoing planning process for the Red Line, which Governor Wes Moore relaunched in June to help address a major gap in east-west transit service in the Baltimore region. The Maryland Transit Administration recently released maps of six proposed alternatives and is hosting several open house events in November to gather public input. She encouraged officials and residents to participate in the process. For details and the open house schedule, click here.

To provide expanded travel options for riders as plans take shape for the Red Line, the agency launched the QuickLink40 bus line in late August. This limited stop route saves approximately 25 minutes of travel times for riders who currently use the CityLink Blue and Orange lines.

Administrator Arnold said every day, nearly 145,000 riders board MTA buses in Baltimore City, a number that has grown by 20% in the past year. She said the Maryland Transit Administrator is focused on operational improvements and capital investments that increase service reliability and contribute to a better rider experience. The agency is in the process of a major bus electrification effort, with its first electric buses entering revenue service in November. On the rail side, the administration is nearing completion of a mid-life overhaul of its 52-vehicle Light Rail fleet, and is underway with replacement of older Metro vehicles.

On the commuter rail side, the administration is exploring MARC service expansion, which includes closing the gap between MARC and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority service, and run-through service to Virginia. The agency also is updating the MARC Growth and Transformation Plan, which outlines major investments, and is seeking public comment.

Administrator Arnold said the transit administration is working to address workforce challenges facing the entire public transit industry. She said the agency has stepped up its efforts to hire and train new employees while ensuring competitive pay.

State Highway Administrator Pines discussed grant awards for bicycle and pedestrian safety and access improvements. He said last month, Governor Moore announced more than $25 million federal and state grants for 40 bicycle, pedestrian and trail projects across Maryland – including:

$1 million through the Transportation Alternatives Program for completion of eight intersection upgrades along Pratt Street, from Light Street to President Street, including pedestrian upgrades and bicycle wayfinding signs; and
$300,000 through the Maryland Department of Transportation's Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program for design of a 1/3-mile bikeway segment along Boston Street between Elwood and Conkling streets.

Maryland Port Administration Interim Acting Executive Director Miller said the agency is spending about $151 million on system preservation in Fiscal Year 2024; money that goes to maintain state-owned public marine terminals at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore including cargo warehouses, berths, roadways and the port's dredged material containment sites.

He also noted the ongoing Howard Street Tunnel Expansion project, which will relieve an East Coast bottleneck and allow double stacked intermodal container trains to run to and from the Port of Baltimore. Once completed, the tunnel expansion will grow port business by about 160,000 containers annually and generate about 13,000 new jobs. The project is a partnership with CSX, as well as the city, state and federal agencies. The project is expected to be completed by 2027.

Interim Acting Executive Director Miller also noted that the port recently welcomed Norwegian Cruise Line for a fall and winter cruising schedule. All three cruise lines operating at the port – Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean – are sailing at full passenger capacity.

Officials noted other allocations in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program, including:

$1.8 million in highway safety grants to law enforcement agencies and organizations in Baltimore City including the Baltimore City Police Department, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Morgan State University, Bikemore and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems; and
$16,000 for the Pier 7 Heliport to support security gate construction.

The Baltimore City meeting was part of the Maryland Department of Transportation's tour of all 23 Maryland counties and the 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.