At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees heard about MDOT’s proposed changes to its project-scoring criteria for state-funded projects.
A common concern, both inside and outside Annapolis, is that the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) project scoring process lacks clarity. For years, counties have submitted applications with little insight into why some projects are funded while others are not, fueling frustration and offering few lessons for improving future submissions. Over the interim, MDOT has met with county professionals and local leaders to address these shortcomings and develop a more transparent, predictable scoring framework.
Lenny Pfeffer, Dorchester County Council President & MACo incoming First Vice President, led the conversation and moderated an informative Q&A at the “Scoring the Future: Understanding MDOT’s ‘Project Scorecard'”general session at the MACo Winter Conference.
Panel speakers included:
- Geoff Anderson, Chief, Planning, Programming, and Project Delivery, MDOT
- Martin Harris, Director, Department of Public Works, Charles County
@MarylandDOT’s Geoff Anderson & Charles County DPW Director Martin Harris discuss MDOT’s proposed project scoring changes and how they will give more predictability for counties. https://t.co/1QA4ZGI2Fh pic.twitter.com/LSXfJbs3Ko
— Dominic J. Butchko (@DomButchko_MACo) December 10, 2025
Geoff Anderson led most of the presentation, walking through the MDOT-proposed changes and explaining how this new framework improves the existing process.
Martin Harris followed up with a county perspective, underscoring the importance of viewing this as a signifigant improvement, but by no means perfect.
Harris breaks down the local side, and why the clarity this process brings matters to counties long term. While there are still some areas still to work on, the current proposal takes a big step to improving the current process. pic.twitter.com/MMTNJlIj0H
— Dominic J. Butchko (@DomButchko_MACo) December 10, 2025
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