BALTIMORE (July 16, 2007) –  Between now and the end of August, residents of the Baltimore region will have eight opportunities to meet with local transportation officials and comment on plans to improve highways, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities over the next twenty years. One public meeting will be held in each of the region’s six jurisdictions. In addition, two meetings will be held at the offices of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) in the 2700 block of Boston Street in Canton. Each meeting will include displays of proposed projects, presentations by local transportation officials, and an opportunity to ask questions or provide comments.

Every four years, the Baltimore region is required by the federal government to update its long-range transportation plan. The plan update must take into account projected changes in population, employment and land use patterns, and their effects on travel, congestion and air quality in the region. Planners must also consider the funding that is likely to be available, and must budget for system maintenance and operations, as well as new construction and improvements to existing infrastructure.

Transportation Outlook 2035, the update which is currently under way, has seven goals:

This update, which projects approximately $8 billion in federal and state funds for transportation projects, should be of special interest to residents because it addresses impacts on the transportation network of projected growth in bio-science, health care and defense-related industries.

"We all need to do a better job of informing residents about transportation projects that will affect their specific communities," said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, who serves as chair of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board. "With Transportation Outlook 2035, we aim to get residents involved in the process from the start. These public meetings are the ideal forum for people to become informed, voice their concerns, and provide input on how transportation can help improve the quality of life throughout the Baltimore region."

Meetings will be held as follows:

5 – 8 p.m.

George Howard Building, Tyson Room

3430 Courthouse Drive

Ellicott City, MD 21043

4 – 8 p.m.

Heritage Office Complex

2nd Floor, Chesapeake Room

2664 Riva Road

Annapolis, MD 21404

3 – 8 p.m.

Harford County Administration Building

2nd Floor Conference Room

220 South Main Street

Belair, MD 21014

4 – 8 p.m.

County Office Building

County Hearing Room (Room 003-004)

225 N. Center Street

Westminster, MD 21157

3 – 8 p.m.

Baltimore County Public Library

320 York Road

Towson, MD 21204

5 – 8:30 p.m.

Charles L. Benton Building

Room 346

417 E. Fayette Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

3 – 7 p.m.

Baltimore Metropolitan Council

2700 Lighthouse Point East (2700 block of Boston Street)

Suite 310

Baltimore, MD 21224

5 p.m.

Baltimore Metropolitan Council

2700 Lighthouse Point East (2700 block of Boston Street)

Suite 310

Baltimore, MD 21224

Copies of the draft of Transportation Outlook 2035 are available at public libraries throughout the region, as well as in local planning offices. The draft is also available online (pdf).

Comments may also be submitted online, 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 mhaines@baltometro.org. All comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2007.