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Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard
Counties and the Cities of Annapolis and Baltimore.
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Thank you for subscribing to B'More Involved! B'More
Involved is designed to provide you with helpful information
on transportation planning, citizen involvement, and
environmental justice. This important information is
e-mailed out on a regular basis and is a great way for you
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and, of course, let you know how you can B'More Involved!
In this issue:
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Public Meetings On Proposed Red
Line Underway
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MTA Hearings On MARC and Commuter
Bus Service Reductions
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Transportation Outlook 2035 Public
Workshop
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Opening for New Citizen Member on
the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group
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Charles
Village Listed as a "Great Neighborhood"
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Report
Encourages Investment in Biking and Walking
- In the News
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PUBLIC MEETINGS ON RED LINE
UNDERWAY |
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Study details environmental impacts and various route
alternatives |
 The
MD Transit Administration has released a Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS) and Alternatives Analysis for the Red
Line Corridor Transit Study. Comments are being accepted
through January 5, 2009.
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MTA HEARINGS ON MARC AND COMMUTER BUS REDUCTIONS |
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Proposed reductions in service a result of budget cuts
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 The
sources of revenue that support the operation of MTA's MARC
Train and Commuter Bus services have declined dramatically
since the start of the fiscal year on July 1. Regrettably, MTA
must reduce its budget, and while the majority of reductions
are taking place in the administrative budget some MARC Train
and Commuter Bus services are proposed for elimination.
The public is encouraged to provide input regarding the
proposed modifications. MTA will hold public hearings
throughout the State from November 17 through November 25,
2008 to receive public comments on these proposals.
Citizens may provide comments at any hearing that is
convenient, or may send comments directly to the MTA by mail
or e-mail. All comments received by December 26, 2008 will be
considered before decisions are finalized.
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TRANSPORTATION OUTLOOK 2035
PUBLIC WORKSHOP |
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BRTB to host public discussion on potential projects for
TO2035 amendment |
In response to public input and amid concerns about escalating
costs, this past summer the BRTB determined that an additional
$340 million in funds for capital expansion would be directed
toward a combination of short- and long-term transit
projects.
In order to determine what transit projects should be funded,
the BRTB held a 30-day public input period to gather ideas and
advice from the public about what kinds of transit projects
they would like to see funded. During the public input
period, over 330 project ideas were submitted for the BRTB's
consideration.
>> View public input received or summary of projects
Now, after several weeks of reviewing project ideas, the BRTB
is looking to the public for additional advice on which mix of
projects to fund. This will be the topic at a public workshop
on November 25, 2008 from 1 -
3 p.m. at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council offices
(2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224).
At this meeting, members of the public will have a chance to
review various project mixes and provide their feedback to
BRTB members. Comments and suggestions may also be submitted
online using our public comment form, by e-mailing
comments@baltometro.org, or faxing 410-732-8248.
>> Learn more about Transportation Outlook 2035 |
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OPENING FOR NEW CITIZEN MEMBER
ON THE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY GROUP
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Applications due December 10th
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 The
Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is currently
seeking a volunteer to sit on the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory
Group (BPAG) to represent citizen interests related to bicycle
and pedestrian planning in the region.
The BPAG is an appointed committee of the Baltimore Regional
Transportation Board. The citizen member will serve a
two-year term, starting in February 2009.
For more information or to apply to serve on the BPAG, contact
Amber Blake at
ablake@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1047 or
download an application using the link below.
The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday,
December 10, 2008.
>> Download an application for the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory
Group |
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CHARLES VILLAGE LISTED AS A
"GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD" |
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American Planning Association highlights Baltimore
neighborhood in report |
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 The
American Planning Association (APA) has announced its 2008
list of Great Neighborhoods, Great Streets, and Great Public
Spaces -- in 21 states and the District of Columbia -- that
offer better choices for where and how people work and live.
This year, Charles Village in Baltimore City is designated
as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America for 2008. Reasons
cited were the neighborhood's strong and dedicated activist
community, economic and social diversity, and memorable
character enhanced by designs from the renowned Olmsted
Brothers firm.
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REPORT ENCOURAGES INVESTMENT
IN BIKING/WALKING |
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Report seeks to raise awareness about benefits of bicycling
and walking. |
 On
October 20th, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presented the
" Active Transportation for
America: A Case for Increased Federal Investment in
Bicycling and Walking" report to Congress. The
report documents the transportation, energy, climate, public
health, and economic benefits of bicycling and walking.
Select Figures and Charts from the Report include:
- Summary of Benefits from Bicycling and Walking
- Bike vs. Bus: Comparative Times for Reaching a Transit
Station
- How Americans Would Allocate Transportation Funding
- U.S. Population Growth and Increase in Miles Driven
- Safety in Numbers: Infrastructure Improvements Lower
Fatality Rates
- Increase in Miles Driven and Obesity
The goal of the report is to raise awareness about the
contribution bicycling and walking can make to our
transportation system with increased investment.
>> Read more about the Active Transportation for America
report
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IN THE NEWS |
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Recent articles and links of interest |
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Monica Haines
Baltimore Metropolitan Council
410-732-0500 x1047
mhaines@baltometro.org
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council | 2700 Lighthouse Point East,
Suite 310 | Baltimore | MD | 21224 |
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