Maryland Budget Cuts Funding for Complete Streets

The future of the state’s ambitious bike, pedestrian, and transit plans could be in jeopardy, with reduced funding from both state and federal sources.

1 minute read

November 20, 2024, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Bi-directional bike trail next to small lake in Baltimore, Maryland.

Christian Hinkle / Adobe Stock

Funding cuts in the proposed state budget issued by Maryland Governor Wes Moore have safe streets advocates worried about the future of the state’s ambitious transportation projects, including an 11 percent cut to Complete Streets programs for bike and pedestrian improvements. 

“A number of transit and bike projects have seen reductions during Moore’s gubernatorial tenure and this year Moore has proposed $670 million in cuts to the Maryland Transit Administration capital budget,” according to an article by Ethan Goffman in Greater Greater Washington. “Since bike and pedestrian access to public transportation is critical to creating a useful network, ongoing cuts to transit also threaten the network and may increase dependence on cars.” This could lead to more cuts in the state’s “already neglected transit infrastructure,” Goffman adds.

The state DOT is required to implement Complete Streets guidelines on new and existing roads starting January 1, 2025. The state’s General Assembly will vote on a Consolidated Transportation Program for 2025-2030 next spring.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in Greater Greater Washington

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

: Construction of massive Samsung semiconductor fabrication plant

In Texas, data centers are swallowing promised parkland

Residents who moved to Taylor, Texas for a rural community now have to contend with three data centers in their backyard.

15 minutes ago - Inside Climate News

A construction crew working on SunZia.

How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on

The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.

1 hour ago - Grist

A rendering of the basketball court, a green court under a blue sky.

MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court

The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.

2 hours ago - Gothamist