MDOT - Maryland Department of Transportation

10/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/22/2025 08:59

Maryland Department of Transportation Visits Howard County as Part of Statewide Transportation Tour

Officials Outline Six-Year Draft Capital Budget and Provide Local Project Updates

HANOVER, MD (October 22, 2025) - Maryland Transportation Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle met today with officials from Howard County to discuss the Department's Draft Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2026 to 2031. The spending plan calls for a $21.5 billion, six-year investment in projects and programs aimed at enhancing safety, maintaining the state's transportation system to keep it in working order and driving economic growth.

"Listening and engaging with local elected leaders and Marylanders is critical in successfully delivering the State's capital program," said Acting Secretary Biddle. "The feedback we receive helps us to better serve the State and deliver a program that aligns with our shared goals to uplift communities and enhance connections to opportunities."


Safety is the Maryland Department of Transportation's top priority. The Department's Serious About Safety initiative is reflected in the Draft CTP, with projects that prioritize the safety of all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Serious About Safety builds on the Department's progress and accelerates work toward the State's goal to save lives and bend the curve on the number of fatalities and serious injuries on Maryland roads. To view the full Draft FY 2026-2031 Consolidated Transportation Program, go to ctp.maryland.gov .

At Wednesday's meeting, transportation officials offered details and updates of several projects and programs affecting Howard County. In addition to Acting Secretary Biddle, several other transportation officials attended the meeting and provided updates including officials with the State Highway Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Aviation Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority.

State Highway Administrator Will Pines highlighted the agency's commitment to move forward with multimodal projects that improve safety, accessibility and mobility statewide for all users - motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and highway workers.

Administrator Pines noted investments for enhanced safety along Route 1, including the ongoing $2.7 million safety and mobility project at Dr. Patel Drive and Rowanberry Drive. That project is expected to be complete in spring 2026. The State Highway Administration also is advancing a $23 million Pedestrian Safety Action Plan project on US 1, from Gorman Road to the Prince George's County line.


Among important local investments in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program:
  • Nearly $6 million in grants to support Howard County's local transit operations including funding for the rideshare program, one small bus and two heavy-duty buses.
  • Resources for the design of enhancement projects along the MARC system, including the Penn-Camden Connector. These projects will improve system reliability and flexibility.
  • Funding for preliminary design and activities related to the federal environmental study of an operational and safety project on I-70 from MD 32 to I-695.
  • More than $300,000 in a Transportation Alternatives grant to fund a Safe Routes to School coordinator.

The meeting was part of the Maryland Department of Transportation's tour of all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City to discuss the funding plan and receive input from local officials and the public. The tour continues into November. Dates and locations for upcoming sessions can be found here . The schedule is subject to change and will be updated as needed throughout the process.

The six-year Draft CTP outlines capital investments in each mode funded by the Transportation Trust Fund: Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, State Highway Administration and The Secretary's Office, as well as Maryland's investment in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The Maryland Transportation Authority's toll facilities are financed, constructed, operated and maintained with toll revenues paid by customers using those facilities.

Following the tour, the Maryland Department of Transportation will finalize the Draft CTP and submit the Final Fiscal Year 2026-2031 CTP to the Legislature in January for consideration during the 2026 General Assembly session.

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