Governor Moore Joins President Biden to Celebrate $147 Million Investment to Create Clean Jobs and Support the Port of Baltimore’s Zero-Emission Goals

Governor Wes Moore joined President Joseph R. Biden at the Port of Baltimore to celebrate more than $147 million in federal funding to create good-paying, clean jobs and to expedite decarbonization and electrification efforts at the Port. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the funding to the Port of Baltimore through its Clean Ports Program, created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. 

The announcement builds on the Biden Administration’s championship of the Port of Baltimore and the State of Maryland’s infrastructure needs, which includes the recent $30.9 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America award for Dundalk Marine Terminal Reconstruction of Berth 11 and the $7.5 million award for Curtis Creek Drawbridge Rehabilitation and Resiliency projects. The projects directly advance the federal government and State of Maryland’s partnership to recover and rebuild after the DALI struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program 

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded $30,906,076 to the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) for the Dundalk Marine Terminal Reconstruction of Berth 11 Project. The project will reconstruct Berth 11, consisting of the rehabilitation and replacement of approximately 597 linear feet of wharf deck, including pilings, substructure, storm water drainage, utilities, as well as the installation of new mooring bollards, cleats, pneumatic fenders, flood barriers and tidal gates. This rehabilitation will allow Berth 11 to reopen and accommodate automobile and High & Heavy roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo ships, preventing supply chain disruptions from diversion of cargo traffic to the Mid-Atlantic and other ports. The project prevents wharf failure or loss of operations, which would cause economic hardship for workers in the surrounding disadvantaged community. 

Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program 

USDOT awarded $7,500,000 to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) for the Curtis Creek Drawbridge Rehabilitation and Resiliency Project. The project will enable MDTA to rehabilitate parallel drawbridges over Curtis Creek on I-695. New reinforced concrete deck sections will match the existing geometry of the bridge. In addition to the reinforced concrete deck improvements, the project will install new roadway lighting, traffic signals and warning gates. The Curtis Creek Drawbridge connects Curtis Bay residents to key employment opportunities located on the other side of Curtis Creek. It also connects to the broader I-695 corridor and is expected to be completed in a timely manner to support the nearby Key Bridge replacement project. 

If you have a recently awarded project that you would like to highlight in the next newsletter, reach out to us!  

November Updates

Recently Submitted Grants

Wheaton and Glenmont Community Connection Plan 

Masonville Cove Connector (Shared Use Path)

Grant Program: USDOT’s Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) Reconnecting Communities Pilot  

Agency: Maryland Port Administration (MPA)  

Description: This project would provide a bicycle/pedestrian shared-use path to enhance community access to the Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center and Masonville Cove, a critical hub for environmental education, conservation, green spaces, recreation and community engagement. The Masonville Cove Connector would offer safe, convenient, and equitable access that positively impacts underserved populations and aligns with broader environmental justice and equity goals.  

Use this Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) Tracker to identify anticipated opening and closing dates for key programs within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), such as FHWA’s FY24-FY26 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT). Connect with us if we can coordinate with you or partner on an application.

• Additional information for PROTECT - FHWA’s MD Division Office has accepted MDOT’s Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP) and the current MDOT PROTECT Priority Resilience Project List. 
• MDOT may reduce non-federal share to 10% as compared to typical 80/20 federal/state split. 
• Projects must be on MDOT priority list and in the STIP/TIP.
• Contact: Allison Gost Breitenother, Climate Risk Program Manager, at 410-865-1097 or abreitenother@mdot.maryland.gov. 

The USDOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard provides communities with an overview of discretionary grant opportunities that can help meet your transportation infrastructure needs. 

The BIL Launchpad provides customized information on available funding, interactive technical support, data on successful awards, and essential resources to help users navigate transportation grant programs and expedite applications.

Additional DOT technical assistance resources can be found through the DOT Navigator.

If you are representing a local entity and interested in receiving an MDOT Letter of Support for a current or anticipated project, click here to fill out a request form, and contact Sean Winkler at swinkler1@mdot.maryland.gov or 410-865-1158.

STIP/TIP Process Overview Webinar

Join Kari Snyder, Regional Planner of the Office of Planning, Programming, and Project Delivery, on November 21, 2024, from 

1-2 p.m., to learn about the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)/ Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Process. Register here.

DOT Climate Change Center 2024 Fall/Winter Webinar Series

Climate change and transportation topics, ranging from GHG reduction strategies to climate resilience activities to research and technology advancements. Upcoming webinars are scheduled for November 14, 2024, December 11, 2024, and January 15, 2025 (all 2-3 p.m.). Register here. 

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We want to support you! Reach out to discuss your capital priorities, federal funding opportunities and how we can work together. Please visit the MDOT IIJA Federal Discretionary Grant Information website to learn more or to view previous newsletter editions by clicking the button below. Email MDOTPlanning@mdot.maryland.gov with any questions or general inquiries.