Maryland gets 3 transit grants -- 2 in city
Maryland projects have been awarded three grants awarded by the Federal Transit Administration, including two in Baltimore and one in Prince George's County.
The Prince George's grant -- for circulator buses in the south county -- is by far the largest at $4.1 million. The two Baltimore projects are going to Westport ($516,000), where a major redevelopment project is taking shape at the water's edge near the light rail station, and Howard Street ($260,000), where the money will be used to replace light rail and bus shelters.
Greater Greater Washington reports that the District of Columbia's application for funding of an extension of its H Street Streetcar across the Anacostia River was rejected.
Here's the FTA's description of the winning Maryland projects, which were among 53 selected nationwide.
MARYLAND
Project: South County Circulator (Bus and Bus Livability)
Sponsor: Maryland Transit Authority(sic) (MTA), on behalf of Prince George's County
Amount: $4,126,227
Funds will be used to purchase additional buses for the Oxon Hill and Branch Avenue circulator routes and demand service to meet the ever-increasing needs of a growing community, and to reduce congestion and over-crowding on the current system.
Project: Westport Transit-Oriented Development (Bus and Bus Livability)
Sponsors: Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and the City of Baltimore
Amount: $516,000
The City of Baltimore and the MTA will develop the Kent Street Plaza and Pedestrian Corridor to expand bus ridership and access to the existing light rail system, strengthening the economically distressed community and the Westport Waterfront Project.
Project: Howard Street Livable Communities (Bus and Bus Livability)
Sponsor: Maryland Transit Authority(sic) (MTA)
Amount: $260,000
This Livable Communities project involves the demolition of existing worn out shelters and replacement of light rail and bus shelters in the busiest transit corridor in Baltimore City, located along Howard Street. Baltimore’s light rail line, running directly through Howard Street, links suburban communities and business centers to the north of the City to Baltimore-Washington International/ Thurgood Marshall Airport, business parks, and neighborhoods to the south.
Comments
I hope they'll but the northbound and southbound light rail stops at Lexington Market in the same location rather than two blocks apart.
And, if they put it in the middle, it would be just one block from the metro, rather than the two blocks that it is is now.
Posted by: Richard | July 9, 2010 9:59 PM
Is this a part of the Howard St. redevelopment plan that was discussed in a meeting awhile back?
Posted by: Jed | July 12, 2010 1:35 PM
Emailed to the MTA's suggestion box. I wonder whether anyone in authority reads it?
I recently read in Michael Dresser's blog about the Howard Street Livability grant and the replacement of light rail shelter. I sincerely hope that the new shelters will be designed to protect from both rain and wind. The current shelters are marginally helpful when there is no wind, but useless in even a mild breeze. Thank you.
Posted by: Steve Howard | July 13, 2010 9:58 AM