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BALTIMORE (August 29, 2013) - The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is now accepting applications for a second competitive process to select projects to be funded with Fiscal Year 2013 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) funds.
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) authorized the BRTB to award up to $800,000 in CMAQ funding to eligible applicants to develop and implement transportation programs and projects that will reduce the vehicle emissions that contribute to air pollution in the Baltimore region. The first competitive selection process for FY 2013 CMAQ funding wrapped up on June 27, 2013, when the BRTB approved 3 projects. Not all of the $800,000 in funding was allocated. The BRTB is now requesting applications for a second competitive selection process for the remaining FY 2013 funds - approximately $542,000.
Candidates for funding will be asked to submit projects in one of the following three categories: 1) Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure/ bike share programs; 2) Traffic flow improvements, or 3) Other project types.
Types of eligible projects include bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, bike share programs, traffic flow improvements, as well as projects such as electric vehicle infrastructure, diesel engine retrofits and clean fuel vehicles. The complete program overview and application packet are available at www.baltometro.org.
Local jurisdictions in the Baltimore region and public-private partnerships with local jurisdictions are eligible to apply. CMAQ grants will cover up to 80 percent of the total cost for a local jurisdiction project, and up to 50 percent of the total cost for a public-private partnership project. All matches for grant amounts must be made in cash. All projects selected must be new or currently undergoing development.
Applications must be received by 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2013. After a competitive review process, winning applicants will be notified in late November or early December.
The CMAQ program, which is administered by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, assists state and local governments in attaining federal air quality standards established by the Clean Air Act and its amendments.
The Baltimore region does not meet federal standards for ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. Transportation is a major contributor to ozone pollution, which can make breathing difficult for anyone, especially children and the elderly. Particulate pollution is even more serious, and has been implicated in heart as well as lung problems. | 
