You're invited to the Baltimore Red Line
I-70 alignment community meeting!
You're invited to a special community meeting to learn more about the modifications to the proposed Baltimore Red Line I-70 alignment.
The Baltimore Red Line: 2011 Year in Review
2011 marked a year of great leaps forward for the Red Line: a significant milestone reached, a noteworthy designation and the cementing of partnerships within the community.
Red Line Crews to Monitor Noise and Vibration in the Corridor
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is conducting field work in communities as part of the Baltimore Red Line transit project. The purpose of the work is to determine the existing background noise and vibration levels in the proposed Red Line corridor. The tentative monitoring program is expected to be conducted through the end of January 2012 to document typical mid-week conditions. We do not expect this work to cause any inconvenience to residents, businesses, churches or schools.
President Obama's Administration Expedites Infrastructure Projects, Including Baltimore’s Red Line
President Obama's Administration announced the selection of 14 infrastructure projects around the country, including the Baltimore Red Line, that will be expedited through permitting and environmental review processes. This is an important next step in the Administration’s efforts to improve the efficiency of federal reviews needed to help job-creating infrastructure projects move as quickly as possible from the drawing board to completion.
Henry Kay, deputy administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, said the designation was "excellent news" but said it was no guarantee that a project previously projected for a 2020 opening would be completed in 2018. "It could potentially speed it up as much as two years, but everything would have to work perfectly," he said.
Mr. Kay said the decision could help the MTA speed its dealing with federal environmental agencies that would have to issue permits for various aspects of the project – including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Mr. Kay said the move also could help hasten dealings with the Social Security Administration and General Services Administration on issues related to the transit line.
The MTA has had a good working relationship with federal agencies, Mr. Kay said. But he said the administration's designation can help because "time isn't always everyone's priority."
Rail-Volution 2011
A Baltimore delegation consisting of Red Line Station Area Advisory Committee (SAAC) members and city and state government staff attended the recent Rail-Volution conference in Washington DC. Transportation and planning experts provided workshops, mobile tours, and poster sessions over the 3- day event. As the SAACs reconvene in November, they will be able to share ideas and first hand experiences in creating a Red Line that will benefit the entire community!
Governor O'Malley Announces FTA gives Baltimore Red Line the Green Light to Move Forward
Light Rail Project Approved to Enter Engineering Phase
Governor Martin O'Malley has announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has given its approval for the Baltimore Red Line to move forward and enter the engineering phase. Formally known as "preliminary engineering," the phase includes preparation of more detailed plans, schedules and cost estimates as well as completion of final environmental studies. "For the past two years the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has been working to comply with rigorous FTA requirements," said Governor O’Malley. "By granting permission for a project to enter Preliminary Engineering, the FTA signals that the project has merit and a high likelihood of ultimate success."