MDOT - Maryland Department of Transportation

10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 09:58

Maryland Department of Transportation Officials Visit Anne Arundel County as Part of Statewide Transportation Tour

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

HANOVER, MD (October 07, 2024) - Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld met today with officials in Anne Arundel County to discuss the Department's Draft Consolidated Transportation Program for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2030. The $18.9 billion, six-year spending plan invests in projects and programs that help advance Maryland's goals to be a safer, more affordable, more competitive and more sustainable State that leaves no one behind.

"We are making strategic investments to further enhance the safety of our system and maintain operations," said Secretary Wiedefeld. "This draft budget is balanced but we had to make tough decisions and reductions to live within our means. We will continue to follow the data and make investments that support Maryland families in a fiscally responsible manner."

The safety of all Marylanders is the top priority of the Department, and that is reflected in the Draft CTP, with projects that prioritize maintaining the current system and seek to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on Maryland's roads. To view the full Draft FY 2025-2030 Consolidated Transportation Program, go to www.ctp.maryland.gov ​.

At Monday's meeting, transportation officials offered details and updates on several projects and programs affecting Anne Arundel County. In addition to Secretary Wiedefeld, officials attending included State Highway Administrator William Pines; Motor Vehicle Administration Deputy Administrator Leslie Dews; Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Bruce Gartner; Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold; Maryland Port Administration Executive Director Jonathan Daniels; and Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director Ricky Smith.

State Highway Administrator Pines highlighted the agency's commitment to move forward with multimodal projects that improve safety, accessibility and mobility in Anne Arundel County. He also noted that State Highway has worked in the past year to streamline its process to grant highway access permits, which supports commercial, industrial and residential development.

Administrator Pines noted that MD 2, from Mountain Road to Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard, was selected for a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) project. State Highway hosted a public workshop last month to get feedback from the community on safety improvements to make MD 2 safer and more accessible for all users. He also announced MD 3 (Business), from Interstate 97 to MD 100, has been selected for a PSAP project as well. Discussions on that area will begin in the coming months.

Among other important local investments in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program:
  • Advancing construction on the MD 175 and MD 295 Interchange Improvement Project. This $77 million project is replacing the MD 175 bridge over the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to improve capacity and ramp operations.
  • Last month, State Highway started a $10.8 million, 3.3-mile safety and resurfacing project along MD 100 from MD 170 to MD 3 Business.
  • Funding the A/B Connector project to support the continued operations and passenger experience at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.
  • Continuing design on three projects, in partnership with the county, where improvements will enhance pedestrian connectivity and address safety and traffic demand: MD 214 from MD 468 to Camp Letts Road, MD 3 between MD 175 and Waugh Chapel, and MD 2 between Arnold Road and US 50.
  • Major construction began in April on the $140 million Bay Bridge Eastbound Deck Replacement Project.
  • Nearly $4.9 million in operating and capital grants to support local transit operations in the county. MTA has implemented a new funding allocation formula which has made the distributions more equitable and responsive to changes in local jurisdictions' investment in transit service. The new formula benefits Anne Arundel County with an increase of more than $1.7 million in operating funds.
The meeting is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation's engagement process in 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 October. 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.

The six-year Draft CTP outlines capital 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 Maryland Transportation Authority's toll facilities are financed, constructed, operated and maintained with toll revenues paid by customers using those facilities.

Following the tour, the Maryland Department of Transportation will finalize the Draft CTP and submit the Final Fiscal Year 2025-2030 CTP to the Legislature in January for consideration during the 2025 General Assembly session.