Feds Pause Baltimore Red Line Permits

Federal and state officials have agreed to pause the federal review process for the proposed Red Line light rail in Baltimore, which could delay the completion of the project, reports Daniel Zawodny in The Banner.

According to Zawodny, “The proposed east-west light rail needs certain permits — including an approved environmental impact statement, or EIS, and one demonstrating compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act — to pass federal scrutiny and receive funding.”

Although the review process was paused in June, no announcement was made until last week, when a Red Line spokesperson noted the process was paused “due to uncertainty at the federal level and the need to reassess the project timelines.” The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) says the pause will not delay any ongoing technical work, but the project would be difficult to complete if federal funding is revoked.