Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott announced a $50 million project to facilitate faster and more reliable transit along the city’s east-west corridor.
Both the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) and the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) announced a new partnership to accelerate and increase reliable, reliable transit along Baltimore City’s east-west corridor. The corridor runs from the Fox Ridge community in eastern Baltimore County through downtown Baltimore to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in western Baltimore County.
According to the press release:
“I want to thank USDOT for the award and for seeing how this project will benefit the citizens of Baltimore, and thank our Congressional Delegation and Baltimore City for the continued partnership. Today’s announcement highlights how great partnerships and collaboration can advance our shared vision,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Greg Slater. “By delivering more than 10 lane miles of dedicated bus lanes, real-time signage, upgraded bus shelters and enhanced pedestrian and bicycle safety, this project that will improve access to jobs, health care and education for city residents.” . . .
“Thanks to the leadership of our federal partners for funding the RAISE grant, the East-West Priority Corridor project will further efforts to improve safety, accessibility, and facilitate faster and more reliable transit for Baltimoreans,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “This comprehensive effort aligns with my administration’s commitment to strengthening transportation infrastructure, creating jobs, and building a more equitable Baltimore.”
Funds for the project will come from three sources; $22 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) 2021 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, $18 million from the Maryland Department of Transportation, and $10 million from the Baltimore City Department of Transportation.
Among the infrastructure improvements planned are:
- At least 10 lane miles of dedicated bus lanes,
- Transit signal priority implementation along Edmondson Avenue, Fayette Street, and Eastern Avenue
- ADA access improvements, real-time signage, bus shelters, benches, trash cans, and bio-retention facilities at over 100 bus stops
- Enhancements to pedestrian and bike safety, including crosswalks, curb extensions, ADA curb ramps, signal upgrades at select intersections, and a 1.5-mile on-street buffered bicycle lane.