Lawmakers drop call for new Red Line study
A House-Senate conference committee has dropped language in the budget bill that would have called on the Maryland Transit Administration to conduct a new study of a heavy rail alternative to the current O'Malley administration plan to build it as a light rail line.
The Senate had proposed the language, which would also have required new studies on two proposed Washington suburban transit lines, after hearing testimony from foes of the current Red Line plan that new guidelines for transit projects promulgated by the Obama administration could open the door for heavy rail -- similar to Baltimore's Metro subway.
The MTA disputed that interpretation, saying the new guidelines provide no basis for reopening the fundamental plan decided upon by Gov. Martin O'Malley last summer.
House budget leaders -- led by Prince George's Del. Tawanna Gaines -- opposed the language. In the end, the House position prevailed -- in large part because of opposition from supporters of the proposed Purple Line in Prince George's and Montgomery counties. Purple Line fans were no more eager for delay than Red Line supporters.
Baltimore's deputy transportation director, Jamie Kendrick, credited Sen. Verna Jones with leading the charges against the language. According to Kendrick, she offered a compromise that Red Line foes refused.
Some Baltimore media outlets were persuaded to make a big deal over the Senate language, apparently not realizing that it was only committee "narrative" -- non-binding recommendations attached to the budget. Without money to pay for a new study, it was an essentally symbolic gesture, but the MTA argued that it could harm its chances for federal approval of its projects.
MTA deputy administrator Henry Kay said a full restudy of heavy rail could cost millions for the Red Line alone, while even going through the motions of a perfunctory study could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Foes of the Red Line might have a case, but their legislative strategy was really doomed from the get-go. In transportation, a "study" with no dollars behinds it is no study at all.
Comments
Well, I'm glad you're conceding we might have a point.
Nate Payer
TRAC
Posted by: Nate | April 8, 2010 9:09 PM
Whether non-binding narrative or actual Senate bill, the language represents clear intent on the part of its author(s). With all due respect, it is a big deal.
Posted by: Michael Byrne | April 9, 2010 1:18 AM
The Red Line should be killed. If for no other reason than to throw some ice cold water on the MTA and the city planners who have spent the last decade trying to cobble together an multi-billion dollar trolley line while the city's excellent Metro system has languished. Expanding the Metro should have always been the priority. This goofy trolley line will be a bomb if its built. Of course, there's a good chance it WON'T be built.
Posted by: Ron | April 9, 2010 9:39 AM
Somebody add up the price tag for the Boston Big Dig lawsuits.
Posted by: Janine | April 9, 2010 10:43 AM
It was unfortunate that the language always included the purple line. The purple line is a nice compliment to a good (DC) transit system.
The current red line plan is a poorly designed, cheap version of what should be an East/West backbone of Baltimore's embronic transit system.
Posted by: cyberfool | April 9, 2010 3:29 PM
Wasn't there a light rail train collision with a tractor-trailer in Cockeysville on March 23? Wasn't there another one with a Ford Taurus in Mount Vernon just yesterday? Has anyone in our state & local governments learned any lessons yet?
Those two accidents are additional reasons why the current Red Line plan is a waste of precious funds and is doomed to fail miserably. No part of the line should be at street level. It should either be elevated, underground or a mix.
The governments should do anything & everything within the boundaries of the law to expand our current subway system beyond just one line. I'm sick & tired of Baltimore settling for just barely adequate. We deserve the best!
Posted by: Attila the Hon | April 9, 2010 5:03 PM
Good news indeed. The Red Line, so vital for the future of a Baltimore City, is already a long overdue facility. We resist any further delay.
Posted by: Dotsky | April 12, 2010 5:03 PM