August 21, 2008 (Baltimore, MD) -- Over $2 billion dollars worth of transportation projects and improvements are being proposed in a new draft transportation program, released for review today by the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board.  

The final draft of the 2009-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Baltimore region is a list of transportation priorities and projects for which federal funding will be requested over the next 4 years. Projects are drawn from recommendations in the long-range transportation plan for the Baltimore region.
Proposed projects include:

• New hybrid buses
• Repaving area roads
• Bridge repairs and painting 
• Bike trails
• Beltway widening
• Improved traffic lights and coordinated signal systems
• MARC stations
• New transit line
  

Additionally, an air quality report looking at the potential impact transportation projects could have on the region's air quality has also been released for public review. The Draft Air Quality Conformity Determination addresses two plans: The Final Draft 2009-2012 Transportation Improvement Program and the Final Plan for Transportation Outlook 2035.

This report concludes that implementation of the projects in the 2009- 2012 TIP and Transportation Outlook 2035 does not worsen the region's air quality or delay the timely attainment of the national ambient air quality standards. The pollutants addressed in the conformity determination include ozone, fine particulate matter, and carbon monoxide.

The draft TIP and Air Quality report are available online in database and PDF format at www.baltometro.org/content/view/836/580.  Print versions are also available at the Regional Information Center, as well as select local libraries and planning offices in the region.

Comments about both the TIP and the Air Quality report may be submitted online at www.baltometro.org/bboard, in writing to Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224, by fax to 410-732-8248, or by e-mail to comments@baltometro.org. 

Comments may also be submitted in person at the following public meeting: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 from 4 to 7 p.m. - Public meeting for Final Draft TIP and Conformity.

All comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2008.

For more information on the TIP or the Air Quality report, contact Regina Aris at raris@baltometro.org or 410-732-9572.