Press Release - Office of the Governor

Governor O'Malley Announces Major Transportation Investments for Baltimore County

Funds Provided for  MARC, Metro, Lightrail, Buses and I-795 / Dolefield Interchange, Beltway / Charles Street Interchange, and US 40

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 17, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced a series of $513 million in transit and highway improvements for Baltimore County designed to address traffic congestion and both BRAC and non-BRAC related growth.  The projects are included in Maryland’s six-year Consolidated Transportation Program.

“Investing in transportation means investing in Maryland’s future,” said Governor O’Malley.  “We are moving our State forward with projects that reflect a balanced approach to transportation.  We will improve transit, help reduce traffic congestion and preserve the roads, bridges and rails we already have in place.  This strong level of investment reflects our shared commitment to expand economic opportunities for Maryland’s families and small businesses, improve public safety and homeland security, and protect our quality of life.”

Today, Governor O’Malley announced the following transportation investments that will positively impact the citizens of Baltimore County:

• $52 million for new MARC passenger coaches
• $125 million for MARC Penn Line improvements
• $17 million for MARC Camden Line improvements
• $237 million for system preservation investments in Metro, Lightrail, and Buses
• $40 million for construction of Phase I of the Charles Street / Beltway Interchange to build a new Charles Street Bridge over the Beltway to improve traffic flow and improve safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians
• $28 million in engineering funds to move to move forward the I-795 / Dolefield Interchange, which is a key economic development project for Baltimore County
• $11 million for streetscape improvements along US 40 from Middle River to MD 43, including resurfacing and landscaping that will also improve safety and traffic operations
• $3 million to improve traffic flow in the heart of Towson, including the Towson Roundabout

In addition to these local investments, the State has added $56.8 million in capital funding to buy buses and improve facilities used by locally-operated transit systems.  Local transit agencies can apply for these funds as part of an annual application process administered by the Maryland Transit Administration.  Also, approximately $7 million per year in additional funding will be available for operating assistance.  The increase in funding is needed to address rising fuel, insurance and labor costs, but also supports the expansion of services to provide access to employment, medical care and other critical transportation needs.

Governor O’Malley has added these projects to the six-year capital transportation program covering the years FY 2008-FY 2013.  The six-year program, known as the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), shows statewide investment in transportation will total $10.6 billion.  Transportation in Maryland is funded through dedicated revenue sources flowing into the independent Transportation Trust Fund, separate from the state’s General Fund.

An electronic version of the complete FY 2008-2013 Maryland Consolidated Transportation Program will be available later today.