Southern Maryland Proposes Light Rail to Tame the Nation's Worst Commute

The Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project could take thousands of cars off the road and ease congestion in one of the country's busiest corridors.

1 minute read

January 4, 2021, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Houston Bus Lane

Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock

With the nation's highest per capita number of road fatalities and the country's costliest commute, Southern Maryland is proposing to alleviate traffic with a light rail project, reports Alex Holt. The 18.7-mile-long Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project (SMRT) would include 13 stations and give D.C.-area commuters an alternative to personal vehicles.

The state has kicked around the idea since the 1990s without much progress, but as area traffic only gets worse as the population increases, SMRT could pick up more support. This January, state legislators introduced bills proposing to allocate $12 million and $15 million in the 2022 and 2023 budgets for the necessary environmental review that would move the SMRT project forward. Prince George County, which would host eight of the line's stops, has been a staunch supporter of the project, as has the Maryland Transit Caucus.

Governor Larry Hogan, however, has leaned heavily in favor of road projects, writes Alex Holt. Hogan supports doubling the number of lanes on the Harry Nice Bridge, a move that transportation experts say will only increase traffic through the area. SMRT supporters continue to push the project forward. "It's not just about transportation," said Delegate Debra Davis, who introduced one of the January bills. Light rail has the potential to promote economic development and improve public health and quality of life for Maryland residents.

Monday, December 28, 2020 in Greater Greater Washington

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Brutalist grey department of housing and urban development building in Washington DC.

How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response

Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.

2 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Lancaster Boulevard with tree-lined median and wide sidewalks in Lancaster, California.

The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way

One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Sign in front of building for seior services center in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk

High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.

4 hours ago - WESH

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA