Maryland Department of Transportation

MDOT MEETS WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY OFFICIALS AS PART OF ANNUAL STATEWIDE TOUR TO DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES

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For Immediate Release:
October 8, 2020

Contact:
MDOT Public Affairs
Erin Henson, 410-865-1025
Jim Joyner, 410-865-1030

MDOT MEETS WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY
OFFICIALS AS PART OF ANNUAL STATEWIDE TOUR
TO DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES

Deputy Transportation Secretary Outlines Budget Impacted
by COVID-19 Revenue Declines and Provides Key Project Updates​

HAGERSTOWN, MD – Maryland Deputy Transportation Secretary Sean Powell met with Washington County officials today to discuss the Draft FY 2021 – FY 2026 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), which details the Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) six-year capital budget. The meeting was part of MDOT's annual tour of 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City to update local officials and the public on the Hogan administration's $13.4 billion investment over the next six years in transit, highways, the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA), Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Officials also discussed the Maryland Transportation Authority's (MDTA) $2.8 billion in additional investments in Maryland's toll roads and bridges. The meeting was held virtually in consideration of Maryland's COVID-19 State of Emergency.

“This $13.4 billion budget is focused on preserving our critical infrastructure and essential connections, continuing all active construction, planning for future projects, and being a part of our economic recovery," said Secretary Gregory Slater.

The current budget is based on data-driven decisions to fund a transportation network providing access to essential services and supporting job creation in Maryland. Following record-setting investments in transportation, this draft CTP required $1.9 billion in cuts to the capital program due to revenue declines from the COVID-19 pandemic and cash flow changes as projects were completed. MDOT also is reducing its FY 2021 operating budget by $98 million to respond to the ongoing revenue decline.

The necessary capital and operating reductions are being made across each of MDOT's transportation business units funded by the Transportation Trust Fund including: Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA), Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA), Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), MDOT MVA, State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) and The Secretary's Office (MDOT TSO). For details on MDOT's capital and operating budget cuts, review the September 1 CTP overview release. A list is available online for both the $1.9 billion in capital reductions and the $98 million in operating reductions.

This $13.4 billion Draft FY 2021 – FY 2026 capital budget and the $2.2 billion FY 2021 operating budget supports MDOT's vision:

  • The service modes, MDOT MVA and MDOT TSO, are receiving: 1.4% of the capital budget and 14% of the FY 2021 operating budget.
  • The economic engines, the Port of Baltimore, BWI Marshall Airport and statewide aviation, are receiving: 9.5% of the capital budget and 11% of the FY 2021 operating budget.
  • Highways and bridges, MDOT SHA, will receive: 39.6% of the capital budget and 13% of the FY 2021 operating budget.
  • Transit, MDOT MTA and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), is receiving: 39.2% of the capital budget and 61% of the FY 2021 operating budget, with MDOT MTA alone accounting for 41%.
  • Local jurisdictions are receiving: 10.3% of the capital budget for Highway User Revenue capital grants.

Deputy Secretary Powell outlined key focus areas for MDOT moving forward including:

  • delivering big infrastructure projects that solve congestion challenges statewide in a way that incorporates technology, flexibility and future growth;
  • prioritizing state of good repair and system preservation efforts to build intelligence across our assets;
  • providing safe and accessible mobility choices for all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists, that consider the interplay of land-use and transportation; and
  • establishing a sustainable, customer-focused transportation vision that incorporates roadway, transit, freight, air and port infrastructure. This vision will set the foundation for the development and evaluation portion of the CTP for future generations.

Deputy Secretary Powell also highlighted bikeway grants made possible through MDOT's Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program. In September, MDOT announced $3.78 million in FY 2021 grants to support bicycle safety and access across the state, including a $60,440 grant for the Town of Hancock. This grant is for Hancock Bikeways Signage and Promotion. The funding is to design and construct on-road bike lanes, improve safety and attract visitors to town from the Western Maryland Rail Trail. The bikeway grants will be highlighted on MDOT's new WalkCycleMD Twitter and Facebook pages, @WalkCycleMD and facebook.com/WalkCycleMD.

MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith explained how fewer vehicles on the roadway earlier this year allowed crews to expand hours of lane closures and make more progress on construction projects without impacting the mobility of Maryland drivers. There are several examples in Washington County of how MDOT SHA was able to deliver some great projects and new roadway infrastructure for Maryland.

He outlined the progress being made on the $105 million Interstate-81 widening project between US 11 in West Virginia and MD 63 in Williamsport and thanked West Virginia for its $41 million contribution and partnership on the project. MDOT SHA is on schedule to open the road to traffic in December.

Around Hagerstown, the $38 million I-70 bridge deck replacement project over MD 65 and CSX is underway. The $2.4 million in sidewalk upgrades along US 40 between Cannon Street and Eastern Boulevard are scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.

In addition to these projects, Administrator Smith discussed the importance of the work zone safety and move over law efforts to ensure MDOT SHA team members and contractor partners return safely home at the end of every shift. He also emphasized the need to provide safe access to all users including people who travel by foot, bicycle and scooter. The context-driven guide will change the way MDOT SHA delivers projects and a Vision Zero philosophy will aid in making our roadways safer for all. 

MDOT MTA Local Transit Support Director Travis Johnston discussed $6.3 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds that Washington County is receiving to support transit operations and/or capital needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the sharp decline in transportation revenues, state matching funds for local transit projects are not available in this year's CTP. MDOT MTA will coordinate closely with local transit operators to discuss the availability of local matching funds and to apply these CARES funds and available federal funding to support critical local transit needs.

Due to FY 2021 operating budget cuts necessitated by the pandemic, MDOT MTA has been exploring all options to best match service delivery with all riders' needs. Commuter Bus and MARC service will begin operating at reduced levels on November 2. MARC will operate on an enhanced “R" service schedule service. All Commuter Bus routes will operate on a “S" schedule service with the following two exceptions: Route 201 – service from Gaithersburg to BWI Marshall Airport will operate only the odd numbered trips on both the Weekday and Weekend/Holiday schedules; and Route 320 – service from Columbia to Baltimore will operate regular service.

Director Johnston detailed how the ridership numbers have not bounced back nearly as much for choice riders on MARC and Commuter Bus compared to Core Local Bus. The second week of April, during the peak of the stay-at-home order, all transit was down at an all-time low, while first week of October shows the latest return trends: MARC was down 97% vs. 89% down now, Commuter Bus was down 95% vs. 87% down now, and Core Local Bus was down 61% vs. 49% down now.

Comparing 2019 to 2020:

  • average daily Commuter Bus boardings decreased from 14,188 to 1,650 in August and from 14,475 to 1,927 in September. (For 2020, total reflects September 1-24.)
  • average weekday MARC boardings decreased from 35,410 to 3,076 in August.
  • Commuter Bus average riders per trip: for Baltimore-area routes decreased from 14 to 6;
  • Washington-area routes decreased from 24 to 2; and routes on the Intercounty Connector decreased from 16 to 2.

By making temporary service reductions while ridership is low, MDOT MTA is able to preserve MARC train slots with CSX and Amtrak and contracts with Commuter Bus providers. This plan allows MDOT to respond nimbly as Maryland's economy recovers and more choice riders cease teleworking or return to transit. Director Johnston also discussed the 50-year Statewide Transit Plan. MDOT MTA will work with Washington County and stakeholders across the state to develop this long-term vision and framework for coordinated transit service in Maryland.

MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer outlined how the department continues to provide support to Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders by proactively scheduling appointments for those with expiring products to ensure they get the updates they need to keep Maryland's supply chain moving.

Administrator Nizer promoted a new tool on MDOT MVA's website called First Stop to help customers navigate the many services MDOT MVA offers through the eStore. With this recently rolled out service,  a customer enters their information, such as a driver's license number or title number, and First Stop provides the customer with their own unique menu of transactions that can be completed online. 

MDOT MVA also has succeeded in deploying phase one of Customer Connect on July 6. Customer Connect expands MDOT MVA services available online, a significant step in enhancing efficiency. Customer Connect phase one included vehicle services, business licensing and motor carrier services. Phase one allows businesses and individuals to complete more transactions online and streamline services provided so that:

  • customers and insurance companies can update information online, provide documentation on insurance cases, view correspondence and make payments;
  • customers can request and be approved for disability products; and
  • customers can begin a title and registration pre-application that ensures they have all the proper documentation and provides an estimate of fees.

Customer Connect also helps reduce wait times at MDOT MVA branches or eliminates the need for customers to come in altogether. MDOT MVA is still on schedule to deploy phase two of Customer Connect in December 2021, which includes driver services. At full deployment, Customer Connect will consolidate existing IT systems at MDOT MVA into a single portal and ensure the highest level of security to reduce the potential for fraud.

Administrator Nizer, who serves as Governor Hogan's Highway Safety Representative, discussed the Hogan Administration's recent announcement of more than $30,000 for Washington County agencies to address highway safety. This year's recipients are: Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hagerstown Police Department and the Children's Village of Washington County. In addition, MDOT MVA's Highway Safety Office is launching a safety campaign called Be the Driver that emphasizes driver responsibility and focuses on elements of the state's Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

She also provided an update on REAL ID to ensure every Marylander is prepared for the new October 1, 2021, deadline. The one-year extension allows nearly 300,000 Marylanders to become REAL ID compliant through their standard driver's license renewal process. Currently, 70% of Marylanders are REAL ID compliant.

MDOT MAA Administrator Ricky Smith gave an update on BWI Marshall Airport recovery from the low point during COVID-19. In April, passenger traffic was down 96% compared to the previous year.

For July, BWI Marshall Airport passenger traffic continued to rebound and accounted for 51% of the entire Washington-area market. For the second-straight month, the total at BWI Marshall Airport was more than Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport combined.

For the Labor Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration performed 15,125 screenings in just one day at BWI Marshall Airport security checkpoints. This record was the highest count in nearly six months. While the aviation industry expects at least two to three years to regain pre-COVID levels, BWI Marshall Airport remains well positioned for when the industry begins its true recovery.

A number of key MDOT MAA projects are preserved as part of the CTP. Several airfield projects at BWI Marshall Airport will move forward, including a major reconstruction of Taxiway T, a primary aircraft circulation route around the terminal. This project will be fully funded by the federal government, with more than $11 million in CARES Act funds.

In addition, a five-gate extension of Concourse A is nearing completion with three new food and retail concessions continuing to build-out their operations. The design process for a major terminal restroom renovation program is being finalized with construction expected to begin in early 2021. MDOT MAA also is working with the Federal Aviation Administration on the extensive Environmental Assessment process for the next phase of improvements at BWI Marshall and Martin State airports.

In addition to the work at BWI Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport, MDOT MAA will continue to support and foster aviation across Maryland by working with 35 public-use airports. For FY 2021, MDOT MAA intends to provide $2.35 million to regional airports across Maryland. Hagerstown Regional Airport will receive $135,000 in state aviation grant assistance for perimeter security. The airport has received 100% FY 2021 federal grant assistance of $7.4 million for runway rehabilitation and a passenger loading bridge.

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