The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has completed a feasibility study regarding a new transit line connecting downtown Baltimore to Towson. The study evaluated seven potential options, ultimately narrowing the focus to light rail, heavy rail, and bus rapid transit (BRT).
This new transit initiative aims to enhance service along a major public transportation corridor that currently supports hundreds of thousands of rides daily across more than 40 bus routes. The CityLink Red bus route, which links downtown with the Lutherville light rail station, is particularly notable, averaging nearly 227,000 rides each month, making it one of the most heavily utilized bus lines in the region.
In the latest report released on Thursday, options six and seven, which proposed a light rail or BRT line along Loch Raven Boulevard, were eliminated from further consideration. Of the remaining alternatives, three are BRT lines that showed promising results in modeling. However, the MTA will also continue to explore light rail options and the potential for a new subway line that would connect with the existing Metro at the downtown Charles Center stop.
The MTA estimates that expanding the subway system would cost approximately $6.2 billion and could take between 10 to 12 years to complete, primarily due to the challenges of tunnel construction. While this option may serve fewer transit-dependent populations due to its more spread-out stations, it promises to significantly reduce travel times between Towson and downtown.
In contrast, BRT implementation is projected to take about four years and cost between $500 and $600 million, while light rail is estimated at $4.2 billion. BRT is gaining traction globally and is currently being developed in Montgomery County.
Moving forward, the MTA plans to spend 2024 further analyzing these transit options and engaging in public outreach to gather community feedback. Securing federal funding will be a crucial aspect of the planning process, with hopes to gain approval from the Federal Transit Administration by 2026.
Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold emphasized the importance of public input for the success of transit initiatives, noting the strong interest from riders for enhanced north-south transit options.
Reported by HarborBeat based on thebanner.com (source).
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