Washington County Wins $2.8M for Transit Facility Design

Washington County Transit has secured $2.8 million in federal funding to cover the full cost of designing and permitting a new administration and maintenance facility — a significant step forward in bolstering transit operations and long-term planning in Western Maryland.

The funding comes through the federal BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) program and was awarded as part of a national infrastructure investment package announced earlier this week. Washington County’s application received support from the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The new facility will enable Washington County Transit to expand within its current location, providing space for administrative offices, fleet maintenance, driver training, and accommodating future service growth. The County expects design work to begin later this year.

While construction funding is not included in this award, advancing the project through design marks a significant milestone — positioning the County to pursue additional financing and keep pace with the rising demand for public transportation.

The BUILD program aims to enhance transportation access and foster economic growth, particularly in areas with limited mobility options. For Washington County, the project supports local and regional efforts to connect residents to job centers, healthcare facilities, and essential services.

Counties continue to advocate for sustainable solutions that preserve local infrastructure capacity, respond to resident needs, and recognize the evolving role of transit and multimodal access.

Rethinking Road Revenue: A Rational Approach to Transportation Funding

These crucial issues will be front and center at the 2025 MACo Summer Conference session, “Rethinking Road Revenue: A Rational Approach to Transportation Funding.” The session will examine the history and future of Highway User Revenues (HUR), explore regional tools like transit authorities, and outline options to strengthen local infrastructure investment.

MACo’s Summer Conference, “Resilient. Responsive. Ready.,” is August 13-16, 2025, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. This year’s theme is “Funding the Future: The Evolving Role of Local Government.” For more information, please visit the conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: