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Final Consolidated Transportation Program Prioritizes Safety, Reliability, Utilizing All Federal Funds and Seeks to Drive Economic Growth Statewide  

HANOVER, MD (January 15, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation today released its $21.2 billion Final Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025-2030, fully funding and reviving projects that prioritize safety and reliability while driving economic growth statewide. The balanced plan includes an additional $420 million in state transportation funding annually, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026. This investment allows the Department to fully leverage all available federal funding and financing, turning a $420 million annual state investment into $695 million annually of new resources for the State’s transportation network. Furthermore, it enables the Department to meet state of good repair investment levels, ensuring safe and reliable access to opportunity for more Marylanders. 

“Maryland deserves and demands to have a safe and reliable transportation system that is accessible for all to use and helps drive our ability to make this Maryland’s decade,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “With a focus on enhancing safety, equity and sustainability, this Final CTP makes statewide strategic investments that strengthen our existing system to efficiently serve all Marylanders and grow the state’s economy. Thank you to Governor Moore for his leadership and vision in providing this vital investment in our state’s transportation system.”  

With the Final CTP for Fiscal Years 2025-2030, the Department is making targeted investments in safety, system preservation, utilizing all available federal funding, growing our economy and working to make Maryland more competitive and affordable. The release of the Final CTP also reflects an extensive statewide public engagement process with a meeting in every Maryland county and Baltimore City to receive input from local officials and the public.   

Highlights of the more than $21 billion program include:

• Reinvesting millions of dollars in critical bridge repairs, roadway resurfacing and other safety enhancements to make roads safer for all users;
• Advancing statewide highway projects, including constructing critical safety projects on I-81 and US 15 and advancing design on other deferred projects throughout the State, including MD 97 Montgomery Hills, MD 90, and Medical Center Drive, among others;
• Addressing critical state of good repair needs at the Maryland Transit Administration and the State Highway Administration;
• Modernizing of the Light Rail system in conjunction with the State’s $213 million federal grant award to purchase new and accessible vehicles;
• Enhancing the economic competitiveness of the Port of Baltimore to maintain and expand its ability to drive growth and opportunity throughout the entire State;
• Funding the environmental study process for the proposed Southern Maryland Rapid Transit project and to fully leverage federal formula funds for statewide MARC improvements;
• Addressing system preservation and safety needs at BWI Thurgood Marshall International Airport and Martin State Airport;
• Increasing support for locally operated transit systems (LOTS) in communities around the state; and Protecting Highway User Revenues (HUR) for our local government partners.  

The additional $420 million annually in funding puts the Department on firm fiscal footing, supporting its operating budget and debt service coverage. Addressing the Department’s debt service needs is important because it will help the Department maintain its AAA credit ratings and strong financial management practices. The additional funding will be divided into supporting:

• $200 million in new state resources for capital projects,
• $155 million to meet commitments for debt issued to fund the capital program, and
• $65 million for operating budget needs.  

The six-year Final CTP outlines capital investments in each mode funded by the Transportation Trust Fund: Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, State Highway Administration and The Secretary's Office, as well as Maryland's investment in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The Maryland Transportation Authority's toll facilities are financed, constructed, operated and maintained with toll revenues paid by customers using those facilities.

When Governor Moore came into office, the state’s transportation system was facing serious disinvestment – particularly in public transit. More than $3 billion in one-time federal COVID relief dollars kept critical services moving but when those dollars went away, the deep issues within the state’s transportation trust fund remained. This additional funding in the state’s transportation system will help the Department make this Maryland’s decade through targeted investments in a reliable and safe infrastructure system that protects lives and drives economic growth.

Fitch Upgrade of BWI Bond Rating Reflects Airport's Strong Market Position  

HANOVER, MD (November 6, 2024) - Fitch Ratings has upgraded the Maryland Department of Transportation's revenue bonds for a major project at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport to A+ from A with a stable outlook.  The rating upgrade comes in advance of an upcoming bond sale to complete construction of the Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage Handling System at BWI Marshall Airport.  Moody's Ratings assigned a rate of A1 with a stable outlook to the new issuance and re-affirmed that rating for the existing bonds.   

“The ratings upgrade, coupled with the recent addition of several new transcontinental flights by Southwest Airlines and two straight months of record-breaking passenger traffic, demonstrates the strength of BWI Marshall Airport and its important role in the region," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Our customers, the commitment from the Moore-Miller Administration, and the strength of our partnership with Southwest Airlines are key factors in these achievements."  

The sale of the revenue bonds is expected this month. Fitch cites both BWI Marshall Airport's financial profile, supported by the full recovery of passenger traffic, and its strong position in the competitive Baltimore-Washington D.C. market as key drivers of its rating upgrade. The credit ratings agency also noted the strategic importance of BWI Marshall Airport to the Southwest national network.  BWI Marshall Airport is the busiest Southwest station on the East Coast. In 2023, Southwest flew 18.3 million passengers at BWI Marshall. There are more than 5,200 Southwest employees in the local market, according to the airline.  

The upcoming sale of approximately $230 million in airport revenue bonds is an investment in the largest capital project in the airport's history. The work includes a direct connection between Concourses A and B, a sophisticated baggage handling system, expanded seating areas at passenger gates, new restrooms and added food and retail concession space.  Completion of the new baggage handling and connector system is scheduled for late 2025, with the entire expansion project expected to be completed in 2026.  

“These positive ratings reflect the strong financial position of our airport and our commitment to responsible fiscal management," said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of BWI Marshall Airport. “We are well positioned for work to enhance the passenger experience and drive economic growth for the region." 

Read more about the rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings here and Moody's rating here. 

BWI Marshall is a key driver of economic activity and transportation for the state of Maryland. As the busiest airport in the National Capital region for passenger traffic, the airport provides nearly 300 daily nonstop departures to about 90 domestic and international destinations and produces a total annual economic impact of $11.3 billion. BWI Marshall and its passengers generate, support and sustain more than 107,000 jobs throughout the region.

Deadline to Apply is April 30 for Eligible Applicants

HANOVER, MD (March 11, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Transportation launched the "Climate Focused Funding Portal" today. The new portal, accessed through the Maryland OneStop hub, allows eligible applicants to submit creative project proposals aimed at reducing carbon emissions and compete for dedicated funding. This funding opportunity comes from the Federal Highway Administration's Carbon Reduction Program, established in President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The leading greenhouse gas contributor in Maryland is the transportation sector and MDOT is committed to doing its part to support policies and projects that significantly reduce carbon emissions in our state.  The Department will partner with MDOT's modal administrations and other eligible applicants to fund projects that will help achieve the bold greenhouse gas reductions included in Maryland's Climate Solutions Now Act.

“The transportation sector generates more than one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland," said MDOT Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “To win the race against climate change, we need new and innovative projects that deliver cleaner transportation options. The best solutions to our biggest challenges often come from our state and local partners, who deal with these issues day in and day out. The new program launching today is an important step towards meeting Governor Moore's goal of becoming the greenest state in the country." 

MDOT urges Metropolitan Planning Organizations, municipal and county governments and MDOT Modal Administrations to submit projects. The $55 million in funding available this year is a portion of the $94 million Maryland will receive from the Carbon Reduction Program over a five-year span.

You can review MDOT's Carbon Reduction Strategy and MDOT's 2023 Carbon Pollution Reduction Plan, a voluntary plan that sets a pathway to achieve the emission reduction targets under the Climate Solutions Now Act on MDOT's Climate Change website. For a comprehensive list of eligible project categories, please see the  FHWA CRP Implementation Guidance.  

Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply between March 11 and April 30.  For further assistance, contact Shawn Kiernan by email at skiernan@mdot.maryland.gov or at 410-865-2775.