Baltimore Regional Transportation Board Seeks Input on Amendments to Long-Range Transportation Plan


[Note: The metro area has some nice plans for bikes but little to no funding to implement them, this has to change! We need to get this stuff off paper and on the ground!]

July 30, 2008 (Baltimore, MD) - When the Maryland General Assembly passed a revenue enhancement package during the recent special session, it left the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) with a problem we'd all like to have - what to do with extra money. Now the BRTB is looking to the region's citizens for advice.

The revenue enhancement package is expected to produce nearly $340 million more over the next 20 years than the BRTB budgeted in Transportation Outlook 2035, the region's long-range transportation plan. In response to public input and amid concerns about escalating costs, the BRTB has determined that additional funds for capital expansion should be directed toward a combination of short- and long-term transit projects.

"Our transportation network is a crucial element in our region's quality of life," said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, the BRTB Chair. "Our citizens feel the pinch at the gas pump, and suffer the consequences of increasing traffic congestion. There is growing concern about dependence on fossil fuels and the emissions that contribute to air pollution. It only makes sense to give citizens an opportunity to share not only their concerns, but their suggestions for improving our transportation network, at the beginning of the process." The BRTB will implement a 3-phase process for amending Transportation Outlook 2035:

* Phase I - Public input
* Phase II - Project identification and technical evaluation
* Phase III - Public review and approval of the amended plan

The public input period begins on August 1, and will include several meetings and workshops:

August 6
Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting
5:30 p.m., with opportunity for CAC/public discussion and input

August 12
Public workshops at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC)
Session 1: 3 to 5 p.m., with presentation at 3 p.m.
Session 2: 6 to 8 p.m., with presentation at 6 p.m.

August 26
BRTB meeting
9:00 a.m., with public comments accepted a the beginning of the meeting

Public workshop at BMC
1 - 3 p.m., with presentation at 1 p.m.

September 2
Public input period closes

The project identification and technical evaluation phase will take place between September and December, 2008. During this time, BRTB members will consider public input received during Phase I, identify projects for inclusion in the updated plan, and conduct appropriate technical evaluation.

The public review and approval phase will occur from December 2008 through February 2009. This will include a 30-day public review and comment period, as well as a public meeting.

Public meetings and workshops will be held at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, 2700 Lighthouse Point East (2700 block of Boston Street), Suite 310, in the Canton area of Baltimore city.

The BRTB will make accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Monica Haines at 410-732-0500 x1047. Hearing impaired individuals may also request assistance through the Maryland State Relay Service at (TTY/TDD) 1-800-735-2258.

If you cannot attend a meeting, you may submit written comments to Monica Haines at 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224; by fax to 410-732-6522; or by e-mail to comments &quot;at&quot; baltometro.org. Written comments for Phase I must be received no later than September 2. Comments may also be submitted using an online comment form at <a href="http://www.baltometro.org">www.baltometro.org</a>;.

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by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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