​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  

CAMBRIDGE, MD (October 3, 2023) – Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and other representatives of the Maryland Department of Transportation met today with Dorchester County officials to discuss the department's six-year Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program. The spending 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 essential 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 and updates of several projects and programs affecting Dorchester County. In addition to Secretary Wiedefeld, officials attending included State Highway Deputy Administrator for Project Development Matt Baker; Motor Vehicle Deputy Administrator Leslie Dews; Maryland Transportation Authority Planning and Program Development Director Melissa Williams; Maryland Transit Administration Local Transit Support Director Travis Johnston; Maryland Aviation Administration Regional Aviation Director Ashish Solanki; and Maryland Port Administration Deputy Executive Director of Administration and Environment Bob Munroe.

Maryland Port Administration Deputy Executive Director Munroe updated officials on the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Restoration project – a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild James and Barren islands and create shoreline protection for Dorchester County using material dredged from shipping channels. Work on Barren Island began this year and James Island is scheduled to begin in 2025. The project will give Maryland sediment placement capacity for the next 30 years, and the result is expected to help reduce storm-related shoreline erosion up to 30% on Upper Hoopers Island and the area north of Fishing Creek.

State Highway Deputy Administrator Baker discussed the $208,000 traffic signal project at US 50 and MD 750. Safety enhancements benefiting pedestrians and bicyclists include new accessible and countdown pedestrian signals. He also said the recently completed Bayly Road sidewalk from Maces Lane to Governors Avenue will provide pedestrians and bicyclists added safety and mobility.

In May, the State Highway Administration also completed the $2 million US 50 bridge project over Otter Pond Branch in Vienna. Work included repairs, replacement of aging metal pipes and improved drainage. And, at the request of the county, the agency is performing an intersection study at MD 343 and Mace's Lane to help determine potential safety enhancements.

Transportation officials noted other allocations for Dorchester County in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program, including:

• $919,000 in operating and capital grants to support local transit operations provided by Delmarva Community Transit;
• $123,000 in a Statewide Transit Innovation Grant to help Delmarva Community Service install a propane station for propane powered vehicles, enabling Delmarva Community Transit to transition to a low-emission fleet; and
• $337,000 to assist HVAC improvements at the Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport terminal.

The Dorchester 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.