<span>MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MEETS WITH ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY 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

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 14, 2023) – Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and other representatives of the Maryland Department of Transportation met today with Anne Arundel 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 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 and maintained with toll revenues.

In addition to Secretary Wiedefeld, officials attending Tuesday's meeting 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 Planning and Program Development Director Melissa Williams; and Maryland Port Administration and Environment Deputy Executive Director Bob Munroe.

State Highway Administrator Pines updated officials on the ongoing MD 175 (Annapolis Rd) / MD 295 Interchange Improvements project. MD 175 will be expanded from two to six lanes from Sellner Road to McCarron Court, and the $77 million project also includes bicycle and pedestrian features and signalized left turns at MD 175.

He also said preliminary design is underway on a project to enhance safety, accessibility and operations on MD 3 from Saint Stephens Church Road to the MD 32 interchange at Interstate 97. That project will include a third lane in each direction, a shared-use path and improve sidewalks and crosswalks. The agency has worked with the county, and met with Crofton residents in July to discuss this and other projects in the area.

Design also is underway for improvements to northbound MD 2 from US 50 to Arnold Road, including the addition of a third lane and a sidewalk from Chautaugua Road to Arnold Road and along Arnold Road from the B&A trail to MD 2 to improve safety and traffic operations.

Administrator Pines said that this past summer, the state conducted a pilot project on US 50 to help determine ways to ease congestion on local roads and improve traffic flow along the eastbound US 50. During the pilot, entrance ramps at Exit 30 and Exit 32 were closed from 10 a.m. Thursdays to 6 p.m. Sundays, and Exit 31 for Whitehall Road was permanently closed. The agency is completing a full analysis, which will be used along with community feedback to determine future steps.

Last month, Governor Moore announced more than $25 million federal and state grants for 40 bicycle, pedestrian and trail projects across Maryland. The State Highway Administration oversees the Transportation Alternatives Program, which announced these awards:

$6.4 million to build an extension of the existing BWI Loop Trail for a 1.2-mile shared-use path through Linthicum, from Maple Road to the Nursery Road Light Rail Station; and
$240,000 to perform Safe Routes to School accessibility studies at 10 elementary schools and up to 10 middle schools in the county.

Two grants also were awarded through the Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program, which is administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation. The awards include:

$340,000 to purchase and install vertical lane delineators that are used to provide separated, two-way bicycle lanes; and
$224,000 to advance design Bay Ridge Avenue bicycle facilities between Eastport and Hillsmere Drive in Annapolis.

Maryland Transportation Authority Planning and Program Development Director Williams updated officials on the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study, which is in Tier 2 of the National Environmental Protection Act process. The study is analyzing ways to improve reliability, mobility and safety across the Bay and along US 50/301. The federally required Tier 2 study is focused on Corridor 7, the corridor selected during the Tier 1 study. That corridor is two miles wide and runs 22 miles from the Severn River Bridge in Anne Arundel County to the U.S. 50/U.S. 301 split in Queen Anne's County. It includes the site of the existing Bay Bridge.

This year, the Maryland Transportation Authority has engaged the public through community events, an online transit and bike/pedestrian listening meeting and in-person and online public meetings. The agency plans to share alternatives in 2024, followed by announcement of a recommended preferred alternative in 2025. The Tier 2 study is expected to conclude in winter 2026/2027. Details about the study and ways to provide public input are available online at baycrossingstudy.com.

Administrator Arnold said the Maryland Transit Administration is contributing $3.7 million in operating and capital grants to support local transit operations in Anne Arundel County.

Regarding rail service, she said the agency is considering expansion options for MARC, and is talking with neighboring states to explore possible run-through service to Virginia as well as ways to close the gap between MARC and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority service. Administrator Arnold encouraged the public to take part in the ongoing update of the MARC Growth and Transformation Plan. The agency is seeking public comment through December 4.

Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director Smith offered an update on the DC Metroplex Community Roundtable, which has worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to make modifications to airline flight procedures near Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. He said thanks to the work of the roundtable, the FAA intends to begin implementation of new local air traffic procedures next year designed to help address community concerns related to aircraft noise. He said the Maryland Aviation Administration is discussing options with the federal government to engage the public prior to those changes.

Officials noted other allocations in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program related to Anne Arundel County, including:

$23,000 for Tipton Airport to support enhancements to the airport's access control system; and
$90,000 in highway safety grants to law enforcement agencies and organizations including the Anne Arundel County Police Department and Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

The Anne Arundel County meeting was the final stop on 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. With the tour completed, the Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program will be finalized and submitted in January for consideration during the 2024 General Assembly session.