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Secretary's Office of Planning, Programming, and Project Delivery |
On behalf of the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Secretary’s Office of Planning, Programming, and Project Delivery (OPPPD) remains committed to keeping you informed, educated and updated. We hope this newsletter will help you stay
up-to-date on current OPPPD initiatives and reports. |
This issue includes: - The Draft Maryland Consolidated
Transportation Program,
- New transit incentives and upcoming webinar,
- See Tracks? Think Train Week 2025,
- Serious about Safety,
- Office of Rail & Intermodal Freight news, and
- Resources & other information.
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The Draft Maryland Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) |
Draft FY 2026 - FY 2031 CTP Report The Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) is
Maryland's six-year capital budget for transportation projects. The CTP contains projects and programs across MDOT. MDOT released the Draft FY 2026 - FY 2031 CTP Report on September 2. This year’s Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) totals $21.5 billion over the six-year period, a slight increase from last year. This funding level would not be
possible without the revenue increase passed during the last legislative session and signed by Governor Moore. Thanks to the Governor’s leadership, the work of the Maryland General Assembly, and tremendous support from stakeholders around the State, the program is now stabilized and focused on making smart investments. Specifically, MDOT remains focused on pursuing its top priorities: - improving the safety of our transportation network,
- preserving our transportation systems, and
- driving economic
growth across Maryland.
MDOT is committed to sustainability and, in an effort to conserve the environment, the CTP book will only be available electronically on the CTP website.
Fall CTP Tour Meetings MDOT officials conduct a tour of all 23
Maryland counties and Baltimore City to update local officials and the public on the Draft CTP and its investments in MDOT transportation. This year, tours kick off with the Baltimore Regional Transit Commission (BRTC) on September 4 and conclude on November 5 in Harford County.
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Ride Together Rewards: Baltimore Transit Incentive Program and Upcoming Webinar Ride Together Rewards: Baltimore Vanpool Incentive Program and Baltimore Carpool Incentive Program Have you checked out MDOT's new rewards programs through Commuter Choice Maryland: the Baltimore Vanpool Incentives Program (VIP) and the Baltimore Carpool Incentive Program (CIP)? Commuters in the Greater Baltimore Region will now have two new options to improve their trips to work, save money and reduce their vehicle miles traveled. Commuter Choice Maryland is helping commuters find convenient,
affordable and sustainable transportation options by offering funding to further reduce the expenses of already cost-efficient forms of commuting. Webinar: Try Transit! Demystifying Maryland's Public Transportation System |
Hesitant about using transit? Unsure of how it works? It's easier than you think! Join the MDOT Commuter Choice Maryland Program and the Maryland Transit Administration to learn all
about how to navigate the transit system in Maryland, step-by-step guidance to plan your first trip, and fare programs that could save you money. Whether you're curious about bus routes, costs, or need help reading schedules, this webinar will break down the barriers and show you that transit is a viable option for your daily commute. See Tracks? Think Train Week 2025 In Maryland, on average, 22 people are killed or injured in grade crossing and trespassing on rail properties and facilities incidents each year. MDOT and Maryland Operation Lifesaver are committed to helping reduce the
number of fatalities and injuries that occur around tracks and trains and to prevent these needless incidents from happening.
This year, See Tracks? Think Train Week will be observed September 15-21 in North America and will encourage the public to help #STOPTrackTragedies. This annual campaign raises awareness and promotes the importance of rail safety
education.
Each day of See Tracks? Think Train Week, Maryland will emphasize a different theme. This year’s themes include: - Monday, September 15, kicks off the week with
the overarching theme of #STOPTrackTragedies.
- Tuesday, September 16, focuses on the annual observance of Operation Clear Track in the U.S. and Canada, which emphasizes the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws.
- Wednesday, September 17, highlights Crossing Safety.
- Thursday, September 18, Transit Safety Thursday and Professional Driver Safety, showcases how to stay safe as a rail commuter or transit rider.
- Friday, September 19, focuses on Volunteering for Operation Lifesaver and Wearing Red or "Red Out" for Rail Safety.
- Saturday, September 20, highlights Trespass Prevention, educating pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, college students, people experiencing homelessness and outdoor enthusiasts about the
dangers posed by being on or near the tracks.
- Sunday, September 21, promotes No Photo, Video or Selfie is Worth the Risk.
Even if there are no railroad tracks in your community, all Marylanders are likely to encounter tracks and
trains. With 140,000 miles of track and 212,000 railroad crossings throughout the U.S., it’s important that everyone knows how to stay safe around tracks and trains! |
At MDOT, we're Serious About Safety. Safety is always our top priority. During the past two years, we've fast-tracked our efforts to make our transportation system safer, including
adopting an updated Complete Streets policy that applied to the whole department. Any MDOT-funded project must now prioritize safe options throughout all phases of project development. MDOT also partnered with Smart Growth America on quick-build Complete Streets pilot projects to learn what works and what needs improvement. The State Highway Administration has upgraded more than a thousand crosswalks and hundreds of intersections across the State and advanced its Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
with a second round of projects to further increase safety. Investments from the transportation revenues that we received this year are focused on improving the safety of the system statewide and thanks to the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act passed last year, tiered speed camera fines in work zones are now in effect. |
Office of Rail & Intermodal Freight News The Maryland Department of Transportation Awards $1.2 Million in Grants to Support the Advancement of Rail Corridors The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently announced the award of $1.2 million in grant funding as part of the inaugural Freight Rail Grant Program which the Department launched this year. The grant program will support efforts to preserve rail corridors, improve safety and reliability of freight rail operations and foster the growth of businesses that depend on rail service. Projects supported by this initial
round of funding include rail rehabilitation, resiliency improvements and a feasibility study for extending the rail-trail network on the Eastern Shore. Click here for a list of projects. Frederick Douglass Tunnel (FDT) Tour On Thursday, July 31, 2025, the MDOT Office of Rail & Intermodal Freight participated in a project tour of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel (FDT), led by Jacqueline Thorne, the NEC
Programs Manager and the MTA-FDT PM Engineer, Jason Lodge. The FDT is a joint benefit project funded by a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, Infrastructure owner Amtrak, and MDOT/MTA. The project will replace the existing two track B&P Tunnel with a new alignment including four tracks, ventilation facilities, a new ADA compliant West Baltimore MARC Station. The 10 participants visited several locations, including sites shown in the map below. |
The Maryland State Transportation Trails Strategic Plan Over the last year, OPPPD has worked closely with the Office of Active Transportation and Micromobility to develop the Maryland State Transportation Trails Strategic Plan. The Plan
launched on September 4, 2025, during the MDOT in Motion: Strategizing for Transportation Trails webinar. This new strategic plan for transportation trails was developed collaboratively by MDOT, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, stakeholders, and the public and builds upon the foundation of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s 2009 Trails Plan, the 2050 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, and the application of the new department-wide Complete Streets Policy. The Plan
establishes a vision of a safe and accessible transportation trail network and connects Marylanders to opportunities across their communities, towns, and the State. |
Resources & Other Information To learn more about other OPPPD programs and resources, click the links below. Programs |
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