Today the Moore Administration announced it will seek a federal grant to advance former Gov. Hogan’s defective plan for toll lanes on I-495 across the American Legion Bridge to the I-270 spur, and the I-270 west spur.  Our partners and policy makers have proposed a range of toll-lane alternatives that can provide congestion relief alone or in combination. These include bus rapid transit networks on parallel roads; incentives for telework and flexible work hours; converting a lane on I-495 for bus, vanpools and HOV; reversible lanes during rush hour; metered ramps and other features included in the successful Innovation Congestion Management Program on I-270; addressing the East-West economic, racial and commuting divide through transit-oriented development; quickly completing the Purple Line and planning for Metrorail or light rail over the American Legion and Woodrow Wilson Bridges.

Please consider these recommendations for refining the 2050 Maryland Transportation Plan proposed list of guiding principles, goals, and priorities, and addressing in the plan’s strategies:

The Transform Maryland Transportation Coalition is asking MDOT to flex 50% of the federal funds, as allowed by federal law, from the Surface Transportation Block Grant and National Highway Performance Program formulas towards needed investments in eligible transit, safer streets, bicycle, and pedestrian projects, and vehicle electrification.

Our small but mighty team is looking for a Maryland Transit Advocate to help win major state transit investments, particularly in Prince George’s County. CSG’s advocacy goals for Prince George’s include securing state-level funding for improved, equitable bus transit and to support walkable, transit-oriented development.

We offer the following recommendations for various sectors believing that they can help Maryland close the emissions gap between the 2030 GGRA set in 2017 (40% by 2030) and the new Climate Solutions Now Act goal (60% by 2031). The Federal Infrastructure and Inflation Reduction Acts provide unprecedented levels of federal funds to accomplish many of these goals. Maryland agencies and local governments should take maximum advantage of these funding opportunities.