Read more about the article Maryland Slated to Receive Nearly $7B in Federal Rail Investment
Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Maryland Slated to Receive Nearly $7B in Federal Rail Investment

USDOT's Federal Railroad Administration recently announced $16 billion in investment in the Northeast Corridor, nearly $7 billion of which is slated for Maryland.  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently announced it has awarded $16.4 billion for 25 passenger rail projects along the Northeast Corridor (NEC), a railroad line running between Boston and Washington, D.C. This particular line is one of the highest volume passenger rail corridors in the world and the…

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November 13, 2023
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Unveils Bus System Upgrades & Modernization
Transportation and Public Works
Anne Arundel Unveils Bus System Upgrades & Modernization

Anne Arundel recently unveiled bus system upgrades, including solar-powered bus shelters, real-time bus updates, and free wifi.  Earlier this month, County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation unveiled upgrades to the County bus system, including real-time bus tracking using the free Passio GO app, free Wi-Fi on all county buses, and state-of-the-art shelters with accessible seating, solar panels, and device charging ports. According to the press release:  “These improvements make…

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November 13, 2023
Read more about the article Montgomery County DOT Seeks Providers for Enhanced Mobility Grants in FY24
County News / Health and Human Services / Transportation and Public Works
Montgomery County DOT Seeks Providers for Enhanced Mobility Grants in FY24

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Enhanced Mobility Grants Program from qualified organizations to provide direct transportation services in the County. This program aims to increase access to transportation services for County residents who are disabled, individuals with limited incomes, older adults, and other vulnerable populations (specifically in underserved communities). A total of $800,000 in funding is available for FY24. County Executive Marc Elrich proposed, and…

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November 9, 2023
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Pilots “Bus Badge” Identification Technology for Students
County News / Education / Information Technology / Public Safety and Corrections / Transportation and Public Works
Anne Arundel Pilots “Bus Badge” Identification Technology for Students

Anne Arundel County is testing a new technology to for students boarding and departing public school buses. Starting November 8, Anne Arudent County Public Schools (AACPS) is piloting a new "bus badge" technology program in ten schools to help track student commutes and improve safety. The program will place electronic chips in new student-issued identification cards, which kids will then use when they board and get off county school buses. The badges are expected to…

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November 9, 2023
Read more about the article Engineering for the Environment: Collaborating with the Nonprofit Sector #MACoCon
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
Engineering for the Environment: Collaborating with the Nonprofit Sector #MACoCon

During the MACo Winter Conference panel, Engineering for the Environment, panelists will highlight nonprofit partners and examine the benefits of collaborating on certain projects.   As counties take advantage of the historic federal investment in infrastructure, engaging with local stakeholders and NGOs will become increasingly important. Engagement with local groups can provide two major benefits: first, NGOs can offer technical and capacity support that can help some counties currently lack, and second, NGOs may offer…

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November 7, 2023
Read more about the article Chesapeake Bay Marks 9.1 Million Acres of Protected Land
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
Chesapeake Bay Marks 9.1 Million Acres of Protected Land

Chesapeake Bay Program data shows 9.1 million acres of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed is permanently protected from development.  As of 2022, data collected by the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) shows that 9.1 million acres of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed—roughly 22% of the total land in the region—are permanently protected from development. The CBP works to extend the acres of protected lands through its Protected Lands Workgroup, which is led primarily by the…

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November 7, 2023
Read more about the article Howard County’s ‘Go Howard’ Program and Downtown Columbia Partnership Receive Transportation Excellence Award
County News / Economic Development / Environment / Health and Human Services / Transportation and Public Works
Howard County’s ‘Go Howard’ Program and Downtown Columbia Partnership Receive Transportation Excellence Award

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the Office of Transportation’s “Go Howard” program, along with the Downtown Columbia Partnership (DTCP), have been honored by the Chesapeake Chapter of the Association for Commuter Transportation with its annual Transportation Demand Management Collaboration and Cooperation Award. The duo was recognized for its efforts to encourage residents to utilize alternative modes of transportation while living, working, and enjoying community life in Howard County. "This award is a testament to the…

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November 2, 2023
Read more about the article Prince George’s County Celebrates Transit Transformation Launch
County News / Economic Development / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Transportation and Public Works
Prince George’s County Celebrates Transit Transformation Launch

On October 30, 2023, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and the County’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) announced the launch of the Prince George’s County Transit Transformation (PGC TT) initiative. The County Executive and agency leadership were joined by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld, and other elected and public officials for a press conference. “Reliable, safe public transportation is a critical part of any growing…

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November 2, 2023
Read more about the article NACo Highlights Large County Housing Challenges & Solutions
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
NACo Highlights Large County Housing Challenges & Solutions

The National Association of Counties recently highlighted large county efforts to tackle housing, highlighting strategies that Maryland counties may be able to replicate.  In a recent article outlining how large counties are tackling the housing crisis, NACo featured two models that may be replicated by Maryland's counties. The biggest issues counties must contend with include a lack of buildable land, stagnating wages coupled with rising rents and interest rates, as well as historic zoning policies…

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November 1, 2023
Read more about the article Federal Highway Fund Under Same Pressures as Maryland’s TTF
Free-Photos (CC0), Pixabay
Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Federal Highway Fund Under Same Pressures as Maryland’s TTF

The Federal Highway Trust Fund is facing similar budgetary pressures as Maryland's Transportation Trust Fund, forcing officials to look at new models in an increasingly EV world.   The Federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and Maryland's Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) receive the vast majority of their revenue from taxes on fossil fuels. For decades, this model successfully supported the expansion and maintenance of the nation's highway infrastructure, mainly due to the supremacy of fossil fuels. But…

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October 31, 2023
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