The decision to go with light rail over bus rapid transit will be more expensive and take longer to complete, but proponents say it’s an investment in Baltimore’s economic future.
According to a Patch article by Megan VerHeist, Baltimore’s revived Red Line project will be a light rail system rather than bus rapid transit. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore made the announcement, which VerHeist reports “delivers on a key campaign promise made by Moore to revive the project canceled by former Gov. Larry Hogan.” The 14-mile, 19-station Red Line project will fill a gap in east-west transit service and link high-poverty neighborhoods along the proposed route to two key job hubs. It will be the first expansion of the city’s transit network in decades.
Critics of the project, including the former Gov. Hogan, who canceled the project in 2015, say it’s a waste of money. State officials estimate it will cost $3.2 to $7.2 billion to construct, and it will be years before they’ll be ready to break ground. The announcement also comes as “the state faces a major shortfall of transportation funding over the next five years, driven in part by the need to meet its obligations to Washington’s Metro system and to pay for the coming Purple Line in the D.C. suburbs,” an article in the Baltimore Banner reports.
FULL STORY: Light Rail Chosen Over Buses For Baltimore's Red Line Transit Project
Civil Rights Activists Target Baltimore Red Line Cancellation
A complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation alleges that Maryland Gov. Hogan's decision to cancel the long-planned Red Line rail project violates the Civil Rights Act.
Op-Ed: Maryland Governor Is No Friend to Transit
According to this editorial, Governor Larry Hogan's decision to halt a planned $2.9 billion light rail line betrays a politically-motivated preference for roads.
Details Start to Emerge for Revived Baltimore Red Line
The long-awaited east-west transit line is moving forward with support from a new governor, but still has a long road ahead.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
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Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
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Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service