With federal infrastructure funding on the table, local leaders are calling for a comprehensive strategy to improve the region’s public transit.
A group of civic leaders in Baltimore is calling on the city and the region to develop a comprehensive vision for the region’s mass transit—before federal infrastructure funds dry up. As Bruce DePuyt reports in Maryland Matters, “Their campaign, called Baltimore’s Transit Future, hopes to unite elected leaders, the business community and the public in support of a long-range plan to expand bus and rail service. They also want to make existing service more reliable.”
According to the article, “The effort will be shaped by six ‘pillars,’ which will include reducing the repair backlog, improving access to job centers, equity and the development of a 10-year ‘Rapid Transit Expansion Program.’” DePuyt notes that “Baltimore’s rail system pales in comparison to Metro, the commuter rail network in the Washington, D.C. region, even though both were launched at the same time. The region’s bus network performs below cities of comparable size.”
The campaign emphasizes that “As the region tries to bounce back from the pandemic, and with significant expansion underway at Tradepoint Atlantic, business leaders said the region is being held back by its substandard bus and rail operations.”
“Passage of a federal infrastructure bill has spurred conversations about the need to improve transit in Baltimore, with many advocates arguing for the creation of an authority similar to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).” DePuyt points out that “Leaders of the Baltimore’s Transit Future campaign said they are not endorsing the authority concept, nor have they coalesced behind any particular modes of travel or routes.”
FULL STORY: Baltimore Must Embrace Transit Vision While the Feds Are Flush With Funds, Groups Say
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.