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Contact: Barbara Herron, 410-732-9564
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MDOT AND SHA REQUEST AMENDMENTS TO THE 2012-2015 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP)
FOR BIKESHARE, BRIDGE REHAB
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BALTIMORE (March 25, 2013) - The Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland State Highway Administration have asked the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) to consider amendments to the 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for two projects in the Baltimore region. The public is invited to comment on these projects through Wednesday, April 17.
MDOT seeks to advance the following project:
Maryland Bikeshare Program - Baltimore Region
MDOT is requesting a total of $922,000 in federal funds: $40,000 to advance the Howard County bikeshare feasibility study, and $882,000 to implement a bikeshare program in Baltimore City.
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently launched the Maryland Bikeshare Program, which provides grants to support the planning and establishment of local bikesharing programs in Maryland. The Bikeshare program is part of the bigger Cycle Maryland initiative to encourage more Marylanders to get out and ride, and to make bicycling a true transportation alternative.
Howard County and the Columbia Association will perform a bikeshare feasibility study to asses implementing a bikeshare program in the County. Goals of the bikeshare program include improving access to transit, increasing the convenience of bicycling, and enhancing public health and the quality of life. Preliminary demand analysis indicates a high likelihood for success. A week-long survey to gauge community support received 700 responses with 77 percent expressing strong support for implementing a bikeshare program.
Baltimore City intends to implement a bikeshare system to provide an affordable and healthy transportation option for resident's, tourists, and employees in and around the City's core set of neighborhoods. Thirty-five percent of the City's households do not have access to an automobile and the City's bike counts show a 35 percent increase in commuter traffic between 2009 and 2010. Charm City Bikeshare plans on placing stations in low-income neighborhoods near downtown. Plans call for 425 bicycles at 44 stations.
SHA seeks to advance the following project:
MD 140 Bridge over the North Branch of the Patapsco River
SHA seeks $4.3 million in federal funds to restore the MD 140 (Westminster Pike) Bridge over the North Branch of the Patapsco River (Liberty Reservoir) at the Baltimore/Carroll County line. Work will include replacing the concrete bridge deck and steel beams.
This bridge was constructed in 1946. While it is structurally safe, it shows signs of significant deterioration. Rehabilitation will extend the life of the bridge an additional 30 to 50 years.
SHA is finalizing plans to maintain traffic across the bridge during construction. In addition, because the bridge is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, SHA is working with the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) regarding repair of the historic property. The project is expected to be complete in two years, weather permitting.
SHA held a public meeting on June 14, 2012, to present and seek public comment on a proposed maintenance-of-traffic strategy during construction. SHA will hold another public meeting to present information and address public comment in late May, 2013.
These amendments are open for public review and comment through Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Additional information about both projects is available at www.baltometro.org.
A public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, April 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Carroll County Public Library - Finksburg Branch (2265 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg, MD 21048). This library is accessible by transit through Carroll Area Transit Service. To schedule a ride, please contact CATS at 410-876-RIDE or 866-304-2287.
Comments are also welcome during the Public Comment Opportunity at the BRTB Technical Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 2, at 9:30 a.m., or the BRTB meeting on Tuesday, April 23, at 9 a.m. (tentative vote). These meetings will be held at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Offices @ McHenry Row, 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300 Baltimore, MD 21230. BMC is accessible on the #1 MTA bus line, or the Banner Route of the Charm City Circulator.
Written comments may be submitted to:
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
Offices @ McHenry Row
1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300
Baltimore, MD 21230
Fax: 410-732-8248
E-mail:
All mailed comments must be received no later than 3 days after the end of the comment period.
For more information, contact Jason Biernat at jbiernat@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1048.
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