Tuesday, the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Baltimore Red Line was announced. With this announcement,  the Maryland Transit Administration has approval to move forward with plans for Alternative 4C, a light rail on a dedicated surface route with tunnels under Cooks Lane, downtown, and Fells Point. Congratulations to all who have been involved in the planning process of the Red Line for reaching this major milestone!  This decision allows our City and our State to be competitive for the federal funding it needs to complete a more detailed design for the Red Line.

 

Obviously, with any major decision that has multiple stakeholders, compromise is required.  We have heard some concerns over the safety of choosing an option that is primarily at the street level.  Please know that this is the optimal choice given our federal funding guidelines and that one area we refuse to compromise is the safety of our communities.  The City plans to continue to work with the MTA and the Police Department to implement safety strategies that have been tested and proven in major cities all across the nation. These include, but are not limited to: designing highly visible, well-landscaped stations with adequate lighting, surveillance cameras and security personnel; and upgrading pedestrian safety with better intersections, crosswalks, and traffic calming.

 

With this milestone behind us, we can put more focus on the issues communities have been most concerned about: "What will the station look like in my neighborhood?" "How will construction impact my street?" "What about parking?"  Finding solutions to these concerns will require a renewed commitment to this process from all parties. Through the spirit of collaboration, we will achieve the outcome that will best serve Baltimore for generations to come.

 

I believe the Red Line can be the catalyst needed to carry Baltimore's revitalization to even greater heights.  It will create one Baltimore, connecting the west side to the east side. The Red Line will transform our region's economy and environment for the better.  It promises new employment, entertainment and shopping opportunities for thousands of citizens and visitors.  It will also get people out of their cars, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a cleaner, greener Baltimore.

I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to enhance not only transportation choices, but the development of our neighborhoods, our city and our region. By working together with all the residents and businesses that have a stake in the project, we can produce creative solutions that meet the unique needs of our diverse communities. Congratulations again to all that have been involved in this process.  This is another huge win for the City of Baltimore!

 

Sincerely,

Sheila Dixon
Mayor, Baltimore