Representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) are set to meet with officials from Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Carroll counties this week as part of a state-wide tour presenting the agency’s Draft Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2030. The program outlines a $18.9 billion investment in Maryland’s transportation infrastructure over the next six years.
The meetings, which begin on Tuesday, September 24, with local officials in Southern Maryland, followed by Carroll County officials on Thursday, September 26, are part of MDOT’s efforts to update every county and Baltimore City on the details of the draft plan. MDOT’s leadership, including Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld, will present an overview of the investments and discuss transportation priorities with county leaders.
Key Focus on Local Priorities
The meetings aim to engage local officials in discussions regarding specific transportation needs in their jurisdictions. Secretary Wiedefeld, accompanied by several high-ranking MDOT officials, will present the state’s budget plans and gather feedback from local leaders. MDOT’s Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle, State Highway Administrator William Pines, and others will be in attendance to provide further insight into regional and statewide initiatives.
Officials from the Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Transportation Authority, Maryland Transit Administration, and Maryland Aviation Administration will also be present to outline their agency-specific contributions to the overall investment plan. This includes efforts in highways, mass transit, aviation, and toll infrastructure across the state.
Meeting Schedule
The schedule for the meetings is as follows:
- Tuesday, September 24, 2024:
- Calvert County: 10 a.m. at the Commissioner Hearing Room, 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. The meeting will be live-streamed on the Calvert County website and YouTube page.
- Charles County: 2 p.m. at the Charles County Government Building Conference Room, 200 Baltimore Street, LaPlata, MD 20646. The meeting can be viewed online at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov or on Comcast channels 95 (SD) and 1070 (HD).
- St. Mary’s County: 6 p.m. at the Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The meeting will be available on local channel 95 and YouTube.
- Thursday, September 26, 2024:
- Carroll County: 3 p.m. at the Carroll County Office Building, Reagan Room 003, 225 N. Center Street, Westminster, MD 21157. The meeting will be available for viewing on YouTube.
$18.9 Billion Investment Overview
The Draft Consolidated Transportation Program details how Maryland plans to allocate $18.9 billion in state funds over the six-year period. The investment will cover a wide range of transportation needs, including improvements to highways, local roads, bridges, and public transit systems, along with aviation and toll facilities.
“This tour is an essential part of gathering feedback from our county partners and ensuring that we are addressing the transportation needs of all Marylanders,” said Secretary Wiedefeld. “We are working to enhance connectivity and improve infrastructure across the state.”
As part of the draft CTP, the agency will seek input from local jurisdictions, which will influence the final plan. This finalized version of the CTP will be submitted to the Maryland General Assembly in January 2025 for legislative approval.
The CTP includes significant funding for ongoing and new projects. It also outlines priorities for state and federal investment in transportation infrastructure that is vital to the state’s economic growth. Local officials will have the opportunity to review and suggest changes to the draft during these meetings before it is finalized.
Gathering Input for Final Plan
The tour is an annual event, taking place every fall as MDOT officials seek to engage with local governments on the state’s transportation plans. After completing the tour across Maryland’s counties and Baltimore City, the input gathered will be incorporated into the final version of the 2025-2030 CTP.
This final plan will set the priorities for transportation infrastructure in Maryland and lay the groundwork for projects that will be undertaken over the next several years. By collecting local input during these meetings, MDOT aims to ensure that the final version reflects the unique needs of each county.
For more information and to view the Draft 2025-2030 Consolidated Transportation Program, visit the official MDOT CTP page at www.ctp.maryland.gov.
