Information You Can Use.  Action You Can Take.

Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and the Cities of Annapolis and Baltimore. 

In This Issue:

 October 22, 2007

OPEN FOR REVIEW: REVISED TRANSPORTATION OUTLOOK 2035

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) has released a revised draft of the Executive Summary of Transportation Outlook 2035, the long-range transportation plan for the Baltimore region, as well as an updated Air Quality Conformity Determination, for public review and comment.
Based on significant public input on the need for additional transit and expanded transportation choices, the BRTB reduced the number of highway projects in the plan. These highway projects were deferred within the plan and those project funds were shifted into transit.

Specifically, the members of the BRTB agreed to defer six highway projects to provide additional funding for MARC. Among the proposed improvements to MARC is an East Baltimore station, which will serve the Bayview campus and provide connectivity with a proposed Red Line extension to Bayview. Download a copy of the revised draft or view a print copy at the Regional Information Center, key local public libraries, and at any jurisdiction's planning office.

Public Review and Comment

A public review period will run from Friday, October 12, 2007 through Tuesday, November 13, 2007.

The activities funded by the BRTB are supported primarily through federal dollars. Public participation is extremely beneficial in making sound decisions. The public is encouraged to review the draft plan and submit comments by November 13th.

Public Meeting with Planning Staff
A public meeting will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224). This meeting will allow members of the public to comment on the revised draft plan.

Public testimony is also welcome at the BRTB meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23 or Tuesday, November 27, 2007.

Share Your Thoughts
To share your thoughts and ideas, please submit all comments in writing to the address below. Comments can also be submitted via the online public comment form.

Please send all comments to: The 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.

All written comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2007.

>>> Learn more about Transportation Outlook 2035 or download the plan

INPUT SOUGHT FOR 2009 MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Help Shape the Future of Transportation in Maryland! The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is updating its Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan, known as the Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP).

This plan establishes a 20-year vision for transportation in Maryland and helps guide Statewide improvements across all means of transportation, including highways, roads, tunnels, bridges, trains, buses, water ports, airports, bike paths, and sidewalks.

MDOT updates the MTP every five years to address current and future transportation challenges, needs and conditions and strives to create a plan that reflects and responds to Maryland’s residents, businesses, local governments, and communities.

MDOT is conducting extensive public outreach to engage you, as a user of the Maryland transportation system, as well as numerous other citizens, agencies, and interested organizations to help revise the long-range vision, goals, and objectives of the MTP.

MDOT Welcomes Your Input!

Help shape the future of transportation in Maryland by:

• Visiting the MTP project web site at www.mdot.state.md.us/planning

• Completing an online 10-minute survey or comment card

• Joining MDOT’s mailing list to stay informed

For more information, download a flyer (pdf) or contact Ron Spalding, MTP Project Manager, at mtpupdate2@mdot.state.md.us. 

>>> To learn more, visit www.mdot.state.md.us/planning

DON'T BE A TERROR THIS HALLOWEEN - DRIVE SAFE!

Halloween night - Wednesday, October 31st - is one of the biggest nights for pedestrian-related crashes.  If you're out driving this Halloween, be sure to watch out for all those trick-or-treaters!  Also, plan ahead and designate a sober driver if you will be out celebrating.

>>> For more Halloween Safety tips, visit www.nsc.org

>>> Visit the Rideshare web site to learn more or to register online!

OCTOBER IS FIRE SAFETY MONTH - DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?

• If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your closest exit, and if there is smoke on your way out, turn and use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Don’t take time to pick up belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast but stay calm.

• Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly.

Having a sound escape plan will greatly reduce fire deaths and protect you and your family's safety if a fire occurs.

Visit the National Fire Protection Association for other great resources

• Learn the steps to create and practice a home fire escape plan

• Halloween safety tips to avoid fires

• New safety tools for people with disabilities

>>> Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more information and resources

RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO CHANGE A LIGHT

The Carroll County Board of County Commissioners is encouraging area residents to sign a pledge to change at least one traditional incandescent bulb to a compact fluorescent light, or CFL.

CFLs can cut energy costs by at least $30 over the lifetime of each bulb, and each one prevents the release of approximately 400 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They also last 75 percent longer than standard bulbs.

>>> Learn more about the Change A Light Campaign at www.energystar.gov

As part of ongoing efforts to increase the county's tree canopy, Baltimore County officials are encouraging county homeowners to plant trees in their yards this fall. The "Fall for a Tree" campaign provides $10 coupons for trees purchased at participating nurseries.

Homeowners can get the $10 tree coupon and learn more about selecting the best trees for our area, and how to plant and care for the trees, in the Growing Home brochure available at all Baltimore County libraries, recreation and parks facilities and senior centers, or on the Baltimore County web site.

>>> Visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov to learn more

B'MORE INVOLVED - ATTEND A TRANSPORTATION MEETING

Looking for ways you can B'more involved in the transportation planning process?  Attend one of these upcoming public meetings:

Engaging the Baltimore Metropolitan Region in
transportation planning, equity, and environmental justice.
Baltimore Metropolitan Council

Visit our B'More Involved archives   |   Learn more about our other e-newsletters

To receive this newsletter on a regular basis or to request an item be included in a future issue of B'More Involved, please contact Monica Haines at 410-732-0500 x1047 or mhaines@baltometro.org.