The BMC, as staff to the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), has completed the long- range draft transportation plan for the Baltimore metropolitan region called Transportation Outlook 2035: Creating a Blueprint for the Baltimore Region's Future. The Draft Plan provides an overview of financing transportation for the Baltimore metropolitan region and lists the anticipated highways, transit, bicycle and pedestrian, and management and operations projects for 2013-2035.

The Draft Plan is available for public comment through August 29, 2007. To access the Draft Plan and to provide comment visit the BMC Web Site. Listed on page 3 of the Draft Plan are the dates for public meetings held in each jurisdiction. In addition, a Regional Public Meeting will be held on August 21, 2007 at the BMC offices and a BRTB Meeting with Elected Officials will be held on August 28, 2007.

Note: If you are having trouble opening the Draft Plan link, go to www.baltometro.org and click on the link Transportation Outlook 2035 Draft Plan on the lower right hand side of the page.

Duke Realty Corporation, the development company that purchased the old GM assembly plant in southeast Baltimore, recently broke ground on a new industrial park to encompass 16 buildings focused primarily on distribution and port-related businesses. Over the past year, Duke Realty has been razing the former 3.2-million-square-foot assembly plant and recycling some of the old plant parts in an effort to protect the environment. To learn more about the project visit the Duke Realty Project link below.

The National Capital Planning Commission released the results of a study completed in April 2007 that looked at potential freight railroad realignments in the National Capital Region. The study was funded with a $1 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security. Seven potential corridors were identified following an analysis of several factors such as population and employment centers. Combinations of existing railroad right-of-way, government land, and private land were explored. Three options were examined further with a benefit-cost analysis:

1) A tunnel under the Potomac River from Potomac Yard in Alexandria through the District to the Maryland border east of the Anacostia River;

2) A new alignment running from the Indian Head area in Charles County, Maryland to Jessup, Maryland;

3) A new alignment east of the city running from the Dahlgren area of Virginia to Jessup, Maryland

Further analysis and discussions with the railroads, federal agencies, and public will be required before a rail realignment can move forward. For more details the study can be viewed online.

BMC staff monitors gas price data obtained from the American Automobile Association. In Maryland and across the nation gas prices fell slightly over the last month. The Maryland average regular gas price fell by 0.188 cents and the average diesel gas price fell by 0.111 cents from June 1, 2007. This information will appear in subsequent Maryland Moves newsletters.