New MDOT Applications Under Active Consideration 

Brunswick & Rockville Improvements

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has submitted a $12.64 million FY 2026 federal funding request through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal-State Partnership (FSP) Program to advance preliminary engineering to the 30 percent design level for accessibility, capacity, and reliability upgrades at Rockville and Brunswick Stations along the MARC Brunswick Line. At Rockville, the project includes a new westbound platform, track modifications to increase rail capacity, replacement of the pedestrian bridge to provide direct ADA-accessible connections between Metrorail and MARC and Amtrak platforms, and station upgrades that support transit-oriented development. At Brunswick, improvements include a new center island platform, track reconfiguration, and grade-separated pedestrian connections that eliminate unsafe at-grade crossings. Together, the project will enhance safety, improve reliability for passenger and freight operations, strengthen multimodal access, and bring aging infrastructure into a state of good repair. 

Martin State Airport's Air Traffic Control Tower Replacement

The Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) has submitted a $12.5 million federal funding request through the Contract Tower (FCT) Program for FY 2026 to construct and relocate a new sponsor-owned Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at Martin State Airport (MTN). The project will replace the existing 84-year-old tower, one of the oldest operating facilities in the nation, with a modern, stand-alone structure positioned near the airfield midpoint at a higher elevation to improve controller line-of-sight, operational safety, and environmental resiliency. The new ATCT will expand from 740 to 1,280 square feet and incorporate energy-efficient systems, contemporary communications and surveillance equipment, and fully ADA-compliant vertical circulation and life-safety features. The project will enhance safety within the constrained Potomac TRACON airspace, strengthen operational resiliency, support forecast aviation growth, and reinforce MTN’s role as a critical general aviation reliever serving the Baltimore-Washington region.

MDOT Requests Federal Funding Under BUILD Grant Program, and Supports Local Partners’ Application 

MDOT has submitted three applications under the FY 2026 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Program. 

• The Cresaptown Triangle Project Infrastructure Improvements. SHA is pursuing $6.9 million to reconstruct and modernize the roadway network at US 220, MD 53, and MD 636. The project will restore MD 53 to two-way operations, add dedicated turn lanes, improve signal timing, install high-visibility crosswalks, construct new sidewalk connections, and introduce a center two-way left-turn lane on US 220. These upgrades will reduce crash risks, improve freight mobility, strengthen pedestrian connectivity, redirect truck traffic away from MD 636, improve access to I-68 and CSX’s Cumberland Terminal Subdivision, and modernize drainage infrastructure to enhance long-term resilience and corridor performance. 
• Maryland Truck Parking and Driver Safety Plan. SHA is seeking $2.4 million to expand and modernize truck parking capacity at the I-95 NB Laurel Welcome Center, the I-95 College Park Truck Weigh Station/Park and Ride, and the I-70 Mount Airy Truck Parking Rest Area. The project will address documented truck parking shortages that contribute to unauthorized shoulder and ramp parking, congestion, and safety risks. Improvements include expanded parking capacity, redesigned circulation patterns, upgraded access points, enhanced stormwater management features, real-time parking availability technology, and modernization of public amenities at the Laurel Welcome Center. Together, these investments will improve roadway safety, enhance freight reliability, strengthen supply chain efficiency, and bring critical facilities into a state of good repair. 
• Patapsco Light Rail Station Pedestrian Bridge. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seeking $25 million to construct a new grade-separated pedestrian and bicycle bridge connecting the Cherry Hill community to the Patapsco Light Rail Station in South Baltimore. The project will eliminate a longstanding physical barrier created by the CSX freight rail tracks, the Light Rail bridge, and West Patapsco Avenue. The proposed project will deliver a safe, ADA-accessible, fully ramped bridge connection, incorporate wayfinding and fencing improvements, and coordinate undergrounding of adjacent BGE powerlines to enhance system resilience.  

In addition to our own applications, MDOT was pleased to provide direct technical assistance to local partners like Wicomico and Howard Counties and numerous letters of support to jurisdictions like Montgomery County and the City of Cambridge. We appreciate the continued partnership to strategically advance our shared priorities for competitive federal funding.  

MDOT Urban Tree Grant Program 

The MDOT Urban Tree Grant Program remains open for applications supporting tree planting in urban areas affected by transportation projects through February 15. Funding of up to $5,000 per planting project is available, with additional support for approved pocket forest initiatives. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with the next planting deadline set for July 15. Submissions must be completed through the OneStop portal and include County Forestry Board signoff. For questions or application assistance, contact Nick Kurtz, Urban Tree Grant Program Coordinator, at nkurtz@mdot.maryland.gov.

Purple Line Small Business Grant Program: 2026 Application Cycles 

MDOT Hosts 2026 Grants Roadshow 

All FY2026 Congressionally Directed Spending disclosures have been postponed. The following links provide information on the disclosure pages for members of the House and Senate:  

• House FY 2026 Community Project Funding Requests
• Senator Van Hollen’s FY 2026 Community Project Funding Requests
• Senator Alsobrooks’ FY 2026 Community Project Funding Requests

Visit our website for additional resources, including:

• MDOT's EV Charger Siting & Installation Partnering Form
• Uniform Grants Guidance 2024 Revision
• Clean Cities and Communities: Funding Opportunities
• USDOT IIJA Program
• USDOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard
• BIL Launchpad
• DOT Navigator
• MDOT’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
• MDOT's Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP)

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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.