BRTB Seeks Input on Funding for State and Local Transit Projects

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board Seeks Input on Funding for State and Local Transit Projects

BALTIMORE (December 22, 2009) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is seeking public comment on changes to the FY2010-2013 Baltimore Region Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is updating information on six projects and Howard County is changing one transit project. The BRTB welcomes comments from the public through Tuesday, January 19.

The projects proposed for this amendment are:

Bus & Rail System Preservation & Improvement
This amendment, to TIP ID 40-0015-64, adds newly approved FY09 5309B federal funding ($255k). This project was amended earlier to remove FY10/11 5309B funding due to financial constraints, but MTA is submitting this new amendment to reflect approved FY09 funding. (Please note that out-year 5309B funding remains within the TIP as this funding does not affect financial constraint review. All other current funding levels (5307 & 5309FG) remain the same.)

Howard Street Revitalization
This amendment, to TIP ID 42-1004-39, adds newly approved FY09 5307 federal funding ($597k). All other 5307 funding remains the same. This project mainly focuses on improvements near the Lexington Market Station.

Fare Collection Equipment Preservation Fund
This amendment reflects a new project with FY09 5307 federal funding ($368k). This project is to assist in the ongoing overhaul of the MTA fare collection system.

Greyhound Station
This amendment, to TIP ID 12-0749-66, adds newly approved FY09 5309B federal funding ($1.129M). All other prior 5309B funding remains the same. This will replace the temporary station with a new permanent station.

Metro Halon Fire Suppression Gas Replacement
This amendment adds a new ARRA funded project with FY09 TIGGER federal funding ($522k). This project will replace a hazardous fire suppression system using Halon 1301 with an approved Novec gas system.

MARC Edgewood Area Maintenance Facility Design & Engineering Study
This amendment adds newly approved 2009 federal funding ($845k of 5309FG funding and $475k of 5339AA funding) to a new MARC project. The effort involves the planning and design of a proposed MARC maintenance facility in the Edgewood area of Harford County.

Transit Operations & Maintenance Facility
This amendment, to TIP ID 16-0201-66, adds newly approved FY09 earmarked funds for use in FY2011.

An overview of these proposed changes, with links to the MTA and Howard County amendment documents, can be found online at: www.baltometro.org/transportation-planning/mta-howard-county-amendments-to-10-13-tip.

Information about the proposed projects is also available at the Regional Information Center at 2700 Lighthouse Point East (2700 block of Boston Street), Suite, 310, in the Canton area of Baltimore city.

The public review period will extend through Tuesday, January 19, 2010. To share your thoughts and ideas, submit all comments in writing to the address, fax, e-mail, or web address listed below:

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310
Baltimore, MD 21224

Fax: 410-732-8248

E-mail: comments@baltometro.org

Web: www.baltometro.org/bboard

Comments may also be submitted at the BRTB meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 9 a.m. where a tentative vote on amendment is scheduled.

Comments postmarked by January 19 will be accepted no later than 3 days after the end of the comment period.

For more information contact Monica Haines Benkhedda at mhaines@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1047.

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The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is the federally-recognized Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation in the Baltimore region. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) staff provides technical and staff support to the BRTB. BMC is the organization of the region’s elected executives who are committed to identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs which will improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region.

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Last Updated on Friday, 08 April 2011 10:13