MDOT - Maryland Department of Transportation
09/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/18/2024 10:10
Maryland Department of Transportation Officials Visit Howard County as Part of Statewide Transportation Tour
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Maryland Department of Transportation Public Affairs
Officials outline six-year draft budget and provide key project updates
HANOVER, MD (September 18, 2024) - Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld met today with officials in Howard 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 ctp.maryland.gov.
At Wednesday's meeting, transportation officials offered details and updates on several projects and programs affecting Howard County. In addition to Secretary Wiedefeld, officials attending included State Highway Administrator William Pines; Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer; Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Bruce Gartner; Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold; and Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director Ricky Smith .
State Highway Administrator Pines discussed the agency's commitment to move forward with multimodal projects that improve safety, accessibility and mobility in Howard 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.
He highlighted work this past year to resurface sections of Frederick Road, Old Fredrick Road, Woodbine Road, Montgomery Road and MD 32, as well as ongoing resurfacing on a section of southbound US 29. He also noted completion in July of a $14.5 million project on MD 103 near Long Gate Shopping Center in Ellicott City that included a third lane on westbound MD 103, new signals, bicycle lanes and other features.
Over the summer, State Highway partnered with the county and Smart Growth America for a demonstration Complete Streets project along US 1 southbound between Davis Avenue and North Laurel Road aimed at improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, reducing speed and maintain business access. That project will be in place through November.
Among other important local investments in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program:
- Nearly $5.3 million in operating and capital grants to support local transit operations in the county.
- Advancement of the US 1 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan project to expand and enhance pedestrian safety. On Tuesday, September 24, State Highway will host a public information workshop to explore strategies to make US 1 safer and more accessible. For details, check here.
- Continuing work on other US 1 Pedestrian Improvements such as new sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals and other safety features at several locations between North Laurel and Elkridge.
- Doctor Patel Drive and Rowanberry Drive are in design and are funded to complete the engineering process.
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.