Red Line (Baltimore)

Last updated

Red Line
Logo Red Line.svg
Overview
StatusRoute selection
Locale Baltimore, Maryland
Termini
  • Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services, Woodlawn, Baltimore County (West)
  • Bayview MARC station (East)
Stations20–23
Service
Type Light rail
System Maryland Transit Administration
Operator(s) Maryland Transit Administration
Technical
Track gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route map

Contents

Alternative 1
BSicon uexKHSTa.svg
Center for Medicare/
Medicaid Services
BSicon uexHST.svg
Security Square Mall
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Social Security Administration
BSicon uexHST.svg
I-70 Park and Ride
BSicon uexTUNNEL1.svg
Cooks Lane tunnel
BSicon uexHST.svg
Edmondson Village
BSicon uexHST.svg
Allendale
BSicon uexHST.svg
Rosemont
BSicon lHST.svg
BSicon uexINT.svg
West Baltimore*
MARC train.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Midtown Edmondson*
BSicon PORTALf.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Harlem Park*
BSicon uextHST.svg
Poppleton
BSicon uextHST.svg
BSicon utCONTg.svg
Howard Street/University Center/
Baltimore Arena
BSicon TRAM.svg
BSicon uextINT.svg
BSicon exBLaq.svg
BSicon utBHF.svg
BSicon exBLeq.svg
Inner Harbor
BSicon SUBWAY.svg
BSicon uextHST.svg
BSicon utCONTf.svg
Harbor East
BSicon uextHST.svg
Fells Point
BSicon PORTALg.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Canton
BSicon uexHST.svg
Canton Crossing
BSicon uexHST.svg
Highlandtown/Greektown
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Bayview
BSicon uexKINTe.svg
Bayview MARC
MARC train.svg

Wheelchair symbol.svg All stations are accessible
Alternative 2A
BSicon uexKHSTa.svg
Center for Medicare/
Medicaid Services
BSicon uexHST.svg
Security Square Mall
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Social Security Administration
BSicon uexHST.svg
I-70 Park and Ride
BSicon uexHST.svg
Edmondson Village
BSicon uexHST.svg
Allendale
BSicon uexHST.svg
Rosemont
BSicon lHST.svg
BSicon uexINT.svg
West Baltimore*
MARC train.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Midtown Edmondson*
BSicon uexHST.svg
Harlem Park*
BSicon uexHST.svg
Lexington Terrace*
BSicon uexHST.svg
Poppleton
BSicon uexbSHI2lr.svg
BSicon uexBHF(R)g.svg
BSicon uexINT(L)f.svg
BSicon utCONTg.svg
Howard Street/University Center/
Baltimore Arena
BSicon TRAM.svg
BSicon uexBHF(R)g.svg
BSicon uexINT(L)f.svg
BSicon exBLaq.svg
BSicon utBHF.svg
BSicon exBLeq.svg
Inner Harbor
BSicon SUBWAY.svg
BSicon uexBHF(R)g.svg
BSicon uexINT(L)f.svg
BSicon exBLaq.svg
BSicon utBHF.svg
BSicon exBLeq.svg
Market Place
BSicon SUBWAY.svg
BSicon uexbSHI2+lr.svg
BSicon utCONTf.svg
BSicon uexbSHI2lr.svg
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
Harbor East
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
Fells Point
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
Chester
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
Canton
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
Highlandtown
BSicon uexbSHI2+lr.svg
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Bayview
BSicon uexKINTe.svg
Bayview MARC
MARC train.svg

Wheelchair symbol.svg All stations are accessible
Alternative 2B
BSicon uexKHSTa.svg
Center for Medicare/
Medicaid Services
BSicon uexHST.svg
Security Square Mall
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Social Security Administration
BSicon uexHST.svg
I-70 Park and Ride
BSicon uexHST.svg
Edmondson Village
BSicon uexHST.svg
Allendale
BSicon uexHST.svg
Rosemont
BSicon lHST.svg
BSicon uexINT.svg
West Baltimore*
MARC train.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Midtown Edmondson*
BSicon uexHST.svg
Harlem Park*
BSicon uexHST.svg
Lexington Terrace*
BSicon uexHST.svg
Poppleton
BSicon ulHST.svg
BSicon uexINT.svg
Howard Street/University Center/
Baltimore Arena
BSicon TRAM.svg
BSicon uexBHF.svg
Inner Harbor
BSicon uexBHF.svg
Market Place
BSicon uexbSHI2lr.svg
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
Harbor East
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
Fells Point
BSicon uexbSHI2+lr.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Aliceanna
BSicon uexHST.svg
Canton
BSicon uexHST.svg
Canton Crossing
BSicon uexHST.svg
Highlandtown/Greektown
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Bayview
BSicon uexKINTe.svg
Bayview MARC
MARC train.svg

Wheelchair symbol.svg All stations are accessible

The Red Line is a proposed light rail line for Baltimore, Maryland. The original project was granted federal approval to enter the preliminary engineering phase and the Maryland Transit Administration had spent roughly $300 million in planning, design and land acquisition, until Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared his intent to not provide state funds for the project and shift state funding to roads in suburban areas. [1] [2] The original Red Line had been projected to cost roughly $1.6 billion, $900 million of which would have been guaranteed federal funding. [1] Its construction had been estimated to begin in late 2015–early 2016, subject to funding, with a completion date set for late 2021–early 2022.

While campaigning for governor, Hogan characterized the project as a "boondoggle". [1] Hogan's shift of state priorities to road funding has resulted in the construction of several major projects near properties owned by his company, leading to allegations of corruption. [3] The Red Line cancellation was briefly investigated by the United States Department of Transportation for being in possible violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, [4] since his decision shifted a large quantity of state money from predominantly Black and low-income neighborhoods into affluent and predominantly white areas, but the investigation was closed with no finding. [5]

The project was classed as inactive; however, after several groups continued to campaign for its construction, the State, under Governor Wes Moore, brought back the project in June 2023. By that November, it was undergoing updated route evaluations and mode selection. Light rail was selected as the preferred mode in June 2024.

Background

Red Line
Baltimore Red Line Logo - Red.JPG
Overview
StatusCanceled by Governor Larry Hogan in June 2015 [6]
Locale Baltimore, Maryland
Termini
  • Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services, Woodlawn, Baltimore County (West)
  • Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus, Baltimore City (East)
Stations19 (planned)
Service
Type Light rail
System Maryland Transit Administration
Operator(s) Maryland Transit Administration
Daily ridership54,000 (2030 projection)
History
Planned openingafter 2026
Technical
Line length14.1 mi (22.7 km)
Track gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification 750 V DC overhead
Operating speedAverage 18 mph
Route map

Alternative 4C (2009)
BSicon uexKHSTa.svg
Center for Medicare/
Medicaid Services
BSicon PARKING.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Security Square Mall
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
Woodlawn Drive
BSicon uexHST.svg
Social Security Administration
BSicon PARKING.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
I-70 Park and Ride
BSicon uexTUNNEL1.svg
Cooks Lane tunnel
BSicon PARKING.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Edmondson Village
BSicon uexHST.svg
Allendale Street
BSicon uexHST.svg
Rosemont
BSicon PARKING.svg
BSicon uexINT.svg
West Baltimore
MARC train.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Harlem Park
BSicon PORTALf.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Poppleton
BSicon uextINT.svg
Baltimore Arena
BSicon TRAM.svg
BSicon uextINT.svg
Charles Center
BSicon SUBWAY.svg
BSicon uextHST.svg
Inner Harbor
BSicon uextHST.svg
Harbor East
BSicon uextHST.svg
Fells Point
BSicon PORTALg.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Canton
BSicon PARKING.svg
BSicon uexHST.svg
Canton Crossing
BSicon uexHST.svg
Highlandtown/Greektown
BSicon uexSKRZ-G4o.svg
BSicon PARKING.svg
BSicon uexINT.svg
Bayview
MARC train.svg
BSicon uexKHSTe.svg
Bayview Campus

In 2001, then-Maryland Secretary of Transportation John Porcari appointed a 23-member independent commission, the Baltimore Region Rail System Plan Advisory Committee, to make suggestions for new rail lines and expansions of existing lines. The proposals used a unified branding scheme for the existing lines and the proposed new lines, identifying each line by a color, as the Washington Metro and many other transit agencies do. [7]

The suggested system was composed of six color-coded lines with an overall length of 109 miles (175 km) and 122 stations, including Baltimore's existing Metro SubwayLink and Light RailLink systems. In the commission's report, the Red Line was an east–west line that would begin at the Social Security Administration offices in Woodlawn in Baltimore County, travel through West Baltimore with an intermodal stop at the West Baltimore MARC station, pass through downtown (where transfers to the existing Metro Subway and Light Rail lines would be possible), and pass through East Baltimore with stops in Fells Point, Canton, and Patterson Park. The Red Line was designated by the commission as the starting component for new work on the 6-line system. [8]

Out of the commission's various proposals, the Red Line was taken up with the most enthusiasm by area officials. Progress was slowed by a debate between state Secretary of Transportation Robert Flanagan and the Baltimore City government and Congressional delegation over the mode of transportation; Flanagan favored a bus rapid transit (BRT) solution with separate right-of-way components like Boston's Silver Line, while the city officials favored a light rail or heavy rail line and insisted that both modes of rail transit be included in studies. [9]

Heavy rail was dismissed by Flanagan as an alternative, due to an estimated cost of $2.2 billion to $2.6 billion. With ridership of Baltimore's existing Metro system at only 45,000 at the time of his appointment, he did not expect the Red Line to reach the 140,000 to 150,000 ridership level necessary to attract federal funding for heavy rail. [9]

Red Line alternatives

Baltimore Rail Plan featuring the east-west Red Line. Baltimore Rail Plan.svg
Baltimore Rail Plan featuring the east–west Red Line.
The Red Line would connect to the Light Rail at University Center. BaltimoreLightRail.JPG
The Red Line would connect to the Light Rail at University Center.
The Red Line would connect to the Metro Subway at Charles Center. MTAM Millford-Mill-departing-train.jpg
The Red Line would connect to the Metro Subway at Charles Center.
No.AlternativeLength
(miles)
Cost (millions)
(2007 prices)
Travel time
end to end
(minutes)
Average
Weekday
Ridership
1No Build13.9n/a80n/a
2TSM14.3$2817617,600
3ABRT, surface only13.8$5456231,400
3BBRT, downtown tunnel14.9$1,0195637,400
3CBRT, downtown tunnel,
Cooks Lane tunnel
14.7$1,1515337,400
3DBRT, maximum tunnel13.7$2,4044341,500
3EBRT, surface only,
Johnnycake Rd. alignment
14.8$5716929,300
3FBRT, TSM surface,
downtown tunnel
14.8$7556534,300
4ALRT, surface only13.9$9305534,600
4BLRT, downtown tunnel14.6$1,4984341,100
4CLRT, downtown tunnel,
Cooks Lane tunnel
14.6$1,6314142,100
4DLRT, maximum tunnel13.7$2,4633642,300

Modified alternative 4C selected by governor

Governor O'Malley oversaw much of the Red Line's planning and engineering. US Navy 100528-N-7029R-113 Maryland Governor Martin J. O'Malley gives remarks during the U.S. Naval Academy 2010 graduation and commissioning ceremony.jpg
Governor O'Malley oversaw much of the Red Line's planning and engineering.
Governor Hogan canceled the project in 2015, diverting funding away from Baltimore to rural Maryland. State Of The State (24186471853).jpg
Governor Hogan canceled the project in 2015, diverting funding away from Baltimore to rural Maryland.

In August 2009, then-Governor Martin O'Malley (who was also a former mayor of Baltimore) selected a modified version of the Light Rail Alternative 4C, which became known as the "Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)." The modification eliminated two stations and a small parking lot from the original Alternative 4C plans, but included an expansion of parking at the West Baltimore MARC station.

Two features of the original Alternative 4C plan, considered important by the Citizens Advisory Council, remained part of the Locally Preferred Alternative:

With the Federal Transit Administration's approval in June 2011 to start preliminary engineering, the project made its first step beyond the concept stage; however, the FTA estimated daily ridership for the completed system at 57,000 and expected it to cost a total of $2.2 billion with inflation included. Henry Kay, MTA's deputy administrator, estimated the cost of preliminary engineering at $65 million. The state would have had to pay preliminary engineering costs, but Kay said that these and other upfront costs would be eligible for federal reimbursement. [10]

Cancellation and federal investigation

Governor Larry Hogan, who was elected in 2014, announced on June 25, 2015 that he had canceled funding for the Red Line. During his 2014 campaign, Hogan had complained about the cost of the proposed Red Line for Baltimore, calling it a "boondoggle", and a proposed Purple Line for the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC; however, he ultimately allowed the Purple Line to begin construction with reduced funding. [2] [11]

Federal investigation

On December 21, 2015, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), together with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and Baltimore Regional Initiative Developing Genuine Equality (BRIDGE) filed a complaint pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the U.S. Department of Transportation Departmental Office of Civil Rights. [12] The complaint challenged Governor Hogan's decision to cancel the Red Line on the basis of discrimination against Baltimore's predominantly African American population that would have benefited from the infrastructure project. [13] Furthermore, the complaint highlighted that Governor Hogan's decision shifted funding away from public transportation dependent citizens, and instead was dedicated towards highway projects in primarily white rural and suburban areas of the state. [12]

On January 19, 2017, the last day of the Obama Administration, the Department of Transportation announced it expanded its investigation into Governor Hogan's decision to cancel the Red Line, as well as the rest of MDOT's programs to determine whether federal law was violated. [4] [14] In addition, the DOT stated that the state transportation agency did not take the federal law into account or the adverse impact it would have on African-Americans, nor did the Governor seek any input from MDOT in making the decision. [14] [15] In July 2017 the DOT announced that it was closing its investigation with no finding. [5]

Proposed route and stations

The alignment for the Red Line would have followed an east–west path. Starting from the west, the proposed stations were as follows:

Station NameParkingConnectionStation LocationPoints of Interest
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services no Bus-logo.svg 79, 78, CityLink Blue, 31Security Blvd / CMS EntranceCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, General Services Administration
Security Square Mall BSicon PARKING.svg Bus-logo.svg 79, CityLink Blue, 31, 37, 107Security Blvd / Belmont AvSecurity Square Mall, Security Station Shopping Center
Social Security Administration Centro other car parking large.svg (A) Bus-logo.svg 79, 31, CityLink BlueWoodlawn Dr / Parallel DrSocial Security Administration, Southwest Academy, Woodlawn
I-70 Park and Ride BSicon PARKING.svg Bus-logo.svg 79, CityLink BlueParallel Dr / Ingleside AvEast Social Security Administration, Gwynns Falls Trail
Tunnel portal at city/county line under Cooks Lane and resurface along Edmondson Avenue
Edmondson Village BSicon PARKING.svg Bus-logo.svg 78, 77, 38, CityLink Blue, 150Edmondson Av / Swann AvEdmondson Village Shopping Center, Enoch Pratt Free Library Edmondson Branch, Uplands, Westside Skills Center
Allendale no Bus-logo.svg 77, 38, CityLink BlueEdmondson Av / Allendale St Gwynns Falls Leakin Park, Lyndhurst Park
Rosemont no Bus-logo.svg 78, 29, 77, 38, CityLink Blue, 80W. Franklin St/Poplar Grove StFranklintown Road Business Area, Rosemont Park, Western Cemetery
West Baltimore MARC BSicon PARKING.svg Bus-logo.svg 77, CityLink Blue/Orange/Green/Pink/, 80, 40, 163, 150
BSicon TRAIN3.svg MARC Penn Line,
W. Mulberry St / N. Smallwood StBentalou Recreation Center, Grace Medical Center
Harlem Parkno Bus-logo.svg CityLink NavyU.S. Route 40 / Carey St Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, Franklin Square, Harlem Square Park, Lafayette Square
Poppleton Centro other car parking large.svg (R) Bus-logo.svg 80N. Fremont Av / W. Baltimore St.Baltimore Center Medical Examiner Office, Perkins Square, Lexington Terrace, Little Lithuania Park, Lithuanian Hall, University of Maryland BioPark
Tunnel portal along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Howard Street/University Center Centro other car parking large.svg (P) Bus-logo.svg CityLink Navy, CityLink Purple, 65, CityLink Red, CityLink Yellow, CityLink Blue/Orange, 76, 120, 160, 310?, 320?, 410?, 411?, 420?

BSicon TRAM.svg Light Rail

W. Lombard St / S. Howard St Bromo Arts District, Camden Yards, Royal Farms Arena, University of Maryland, Westside
Inner Harbor Centro other car parking large.svg (P) Bus-logo.svg 65, CityLink Red, CityLink Navy, 51, 54, 91
BSicon SUBWAY.svg Metro Subway

CCC: Orange, Purple

W. Lombard St / S. Charles St Downtown Baltimore, Financial District, Harborplace, Market Place, McKeldin Square, National Aquarium, Power Plant Live!, Pratt Street Power Plant, World Trade Center
Harbor East Centro other car parking large.svg (P) Bus-logo.svg 31

CCC: Orange, Green

Fleet St / S. Central AvHarbor East Shopping District, Harbor Point, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Little Italy Pier Six Pavilion, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
Fells Point no Bus-logo.svg CityLink Gold, CityLink NavyFleet St / S. Broadway Broadway Market, Fells Point, Maritime Park, Thames Street Park, Upper Fell's Point
Tunnel portal along Boston Street
Canton BSicon PARKING.svg Bus-logo.svg CityLink Navy, 65Boston St / O'Donnell StThe Can Company, O'Donnell Square, Patterson Park, Saint Casmir's Park
Canton Crossing BSicon PARKING.svg Bus-logo.svg CityLink Navy, 65Boston St / Conkling StBrewers Hill, Canton Crossing Shopping Center, Clarence H. "Du" Burns Arena, Canton Waterfront Park, Charm City Skate Park
Highlandtown/Greektown no Bus-logo.svg CityLink Navy, 22Eastern Av / Janney StEnoch Pratt Free Library Southeast Anchor Branch, Greektown, Highlandtown, Kresson, Markets at Highlandtown
Viaduct between Highlandtown station and Bayview MARC station
Bayview Centro other car parking large.svg (F) Bus-logo.svg 22, CityLink Orange/BlueAlpha Commons Dr / Bayview Blvd Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Asthma & Allergy Center, National Institute on Aging
East Baltimore/Bayview MARC BSicon PARKING.svg Bus-logo.svg 22, 59, 63, CityLink Orange/Blue

BSicon TRAIN3.svg MARC Penn Line

E. Lombard St (east of Bioscience Dr)East Baltimore/Bayview station, Pulaski Industrial Area, Joseph E. Lee Park, Patterson High School
Future extension to Dundalk [8]
Eastern Avenue no Bus-logo.svg CityLink Orange/Blue, 22, 40, 59, 63Eastern Av / Dundalk AvJohns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
O'Donnell Street no Bus-logo.svg 63, CityLink NavyDundalk Av / O'Donnell St Amazon Warehouse, Mt. Carmel Cemetery
Dundalk Center Place Centro other car parking large.svg (R) Bus-logo.svg CityLink Navy, 62, 63, 65, 163Dundalk Av / Center Pl CCBC Dundalk, Downtown Dundalk, St. Helena Park
NOTES
The Red Line would have occupied the central median of the infamous "Highway to Nowhere" (US 40). 2016-05-11 09 44 11 View east along U.S. Route 40 (former Interstate 170) from the overpass for U.S. Route 1 northbound (North Fulton Avenue) in Baltimore City, Maryland.jpg
The Red Line would have occupied the central median of the infamous "Highway to Nowhere" (US 40).
The Inner Harbor station would connect to Charles Center (lower right) via an underground transfer. 2008 05 07 - Baltimore - Baltimore St approaching N Charles St 3.JPG
The Inner Harbor station would connect to Charles Center (lower right) via an underground transfer.

Red Line system features

FeatureProposed alignment
Overall length14.5 mi (23.3 km)
Surface length9.8 mi (15.8 km)
Tunnel length3.9 mi (6.3 km)
Aerial length0.8 mi (1.3 km)
Stations20 total (15 surface, 5 underground)
Parking6 stations with parking areas
Travel time44 minutes (Woodlawn to Bayview)
Vehicles34 light rail vehicles
Service frequency8 minutes peak, 10 minutes off peak

Citizens' Advisory Council

Establishment of Council

The "Citizens' Advisory Council for the Baltimore Corridor Transit Study - Red Line" was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2006. [16] [17]

Governor Robert Erlich vetoed the bills which originally created the Citizens' Advisory Council on May 26, 2006, and replaced it with the "Red Line Community Advisory Council." This 15-member Council was appointed entirely by the Governor. [18] [19]

At a special session in June 2006, the Legislature overrode the Governor's veto. [16] [17] The Council established by the Legislature also had 15 members, but only two could be appointed by the Governor. Five of the other Council members were appointed by the Senate President, five by the Speaker of the House, two by the Baltimore City Mayor and one by the Baltimore County Executive. Two co-chairs for the Council could be chosen by the Governor or the Maryland Transit Administrator from up to four nominees selected by the Senate President and Speaker of the House.

On July 30, 2007, an executive order by Governor Martin O'Malley restored the name originally selected by the Legislature.

First annual report to General Assembly

On September 9, 2008, the Red Line Citizens' Advisory Council voted unanimously to adopt its first report to the General Assembly, which included the statement that "Preparation of a SDEIS [Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement] should begin now, as a collaborative effort between the MTA and the public in finding the best ways to invest over a billion dollars in Baltimore's transportation infrastructure in keeping with the vision of the 2002 Plan."

Council dispute over Alternative 4C

A recommendation for Alternative 4C (light rail with a downtown tunnel and a Cooks Lane tunnel) was approved by a vote of five to two at the Citizens' Advisory Council meeting on December 11, 2008. Two of the nine members present abstained.

Red Line Community Compact

This document, signed by city and state officials, and 72 leaders of community organizations on September 12, 2008, described how they intended to build and operate the Red Line for the benefit of Baltimore and its communities. The Community Compact emphasized four main points:

Mayor Sheila Dixon appointed leaders from city government, non-profit and citizen groups, and the business community to a 40-member steering committee to implement each part of the Community Compact. The Red Line Community Compact Steering Committee held their first meeting on February 19, 2009; the group was scheduled to meet quarterly throughout the life of the project.

The decision at the meeting on December 11, 2008 was disputed at another Advisory Council meeting on July 9, 2009, where 11 members were present. A six to five vote favored rescinding the previous decision for Alternative 4C. Council Chair Angela Bethea-Spearman ruled that the motion to rescind failed, because the vote was less than a 2/3 majority. She cited "Robert's Rules" as the criteria for requiring a 2/3 majority and denying the rescision.

Community opposition to Alternative 4C

Beginning in late 2008, Baltimore City favored the "4C Alternative" selected by Governor O'Malley in 2009, which was endorsed by Mayor Sheila Dixon; however, the 2008 Citizens Advisory Council annual report commented on the opposition of community groups to surface rail alignments through residential neighborhoods.

A letter from the Allendale Community Association, read at a meeting of the Citizens Advisory Council on December 11, 2008, expressed the Association's opposition to Alternative 4C and any surface rail construction along Edmondson Avenue.

The West–East Coalition (WEC) Against Red Line Alternative 4C, established in June 2009, represented community associations, homeowners groups, businesses, and religious groups opposed to the Alternative 4C. Its now-defunct website explained that the organization considered the proposed light rail alignment to be a detriment to communities on both the East and West sides of Baltimore.

In a letter to Governor Martin O'Malley, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Senator Benjamin Cardin, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Congressman John P. Sarbanes, and Mayor Sheila Dixon on July 13, 2009, the WEC described concerns about the effects of double-tracked surface rail, traffic congestion, and safety concerns.

In 2009, the WEC circulated a petition against the surface Red Line in the Canton neighborhood. It delivered 1,350 signed cards to Governor O'Malley on July 31, 2009.

Support for Red Line and Political Action Committee

In the summer of 2011 the Red Line Now Political Action Committee (PAC) was established to voice the support of residents of Baltimore City for the funding and construction of Alternative 4C. Its website stated that the organization was staffed on a volunteer basis and planned to support local politicians that supported the construction of the Red Line. [20] Red Line Now PAC was governed by a nine-member board of directors who were citizen volunteers who lived and/or worked along what would have been the Red Line corridor. The board members represented the Midtown, Edmondson, Canton, Fells Point, Patterson Park, and Greektown communities.

Plans revived

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act contains a provision on project reentry which directs the United States Secretary of Transportation to "provide full and fair consideration to projects that seek an updated rating after a period of inactivity." This provision was sought by Maryland Senator Ben Cardin with the intent to allow for the Red Line and other canceled transit projects to be renewed. [21] On June 15, 2023, Governor Wes Moore announced that he would restart efforts to build the Red Line in a ceremony with Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott. [22] The state Department of Transportation plans to identify possible route alignments, gauge public feedback, and study the project's costs and benefits over the course of the rest of the year. [23] In the meantime, the MTA will provide limited-stop bus service between Catonsville and Essex beginning in August 2023. [24] MTA released six new alternative routes for the project that September – two alternatives featured tunnel segments and alignments similar to the canceled 2009 route. [25] Officials initially did not say if the route would be run by bus rapid transit or light rail, [26] but later announced in June 2024 that it will feature light rail. [27]

See also

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BWI Rail Station is an intermodal passenger station in Linthicum, Maryland near Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). It is served by Amtrak Northeast Corridor intercity trains, MARC Penn Line regional rail trains, and several local bus lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newark station (Delaware)</span> Train station in Newark, Delaware

Newark station is a train station in Newark, Delaware, on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, serving a limited number of Amtrak Northeast Regional trains and SEPTA's Wilmington/Newark Line regional rail trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purple Line (Maryland)</span> Under construction light rail line in Maryland

The Purple Line is a 16.2-mile (26.1 km) light rail line being built to link several Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.: Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. Currently slated to open in late 2027, the line will also enable riders to move between the Maryland branches of the Red, Green, and Orange lines of the Washington Metro without riding into central Washington, and between all three lines of the MARC commuter rail system. The project is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), an agency of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), and not the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which operates Metro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baltimore Light RailLink</span> Light rail system in Baltimore

The Baltimore Light RailLink is a light rail system serving Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and its northern and southern suburbs. It is operated by the Maryland Transit Administration. In downtown Baltimore, it uses city streets. Outside the central portions of the city, the line is built on private rights-of-way, mostly from the defunct Northern Central Railway, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad and Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway. The system had a ridership of 3,546,300, or about 14,400 per weekday, as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Line (Baltimore)</span> Proposed mass transit line in Baltimore, Maryland

The Green Line is a proposed mass transit line for the Baltimore, Maryland area in the United States. It is still in the planning stages and its construction is not guaranteed.

The Baltimore–Washington Superconducting Maglev Project (SCMAGLEV) is a proposed project connecting the United States cities of Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., with a 40 miles (64 km) maglev train system between their respective central business districts. It is the first segment of the planned Washington-New York Northeast Maglev project. The maglev proposal is not related to the Baltimore–Washington hyperloop proposed by the Boring Company.

Staten Island light rail proposals refer to two projects in the New York City borough of Staten Island. These proposals are among the several light rail projects that have been floated in New York City in recent years. Neither proposal was funded in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 2015–2019 Capital Plan, but $4 million was allocated to a study for it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LocalLink 80 (BaltimoreLink)</span> Bus route in Baltimore, Maryland

LocalLink 80 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. LocalLink 80 is part of the high frequency network of the local bus system. The route consists of a leg originating in Downtown Baltimore and goes on to serve the Garrison Boulevard corridor in the northwest of the city. Route 80 and its predecessor, route 91, has carried some of the highest ridership out of Baltimore's local bus network throughout its history. The line was the first in the city to be assigned articulated buses, which are now used to meet the higher capacity requirements of the frequent lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LocalLink 75 (BaltimoreLink)</span> Bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration

LocalLink 75 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore and its suburbs. The line currently runs from the Patapsco Light Rail Stop to Arundel Mills in Anne Arundel County, via BWI Airport. The line operates to University of Maryland during hours when the light rail is not operating.

The Bottineau LRT is a proposed light rail line extension in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul Metro area, projected to run northwest from Target Field station in downtown Minneapolis along County Road 81 to Brooklyn Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTA BaltimoreLink</span> Bus transit service in Maryland

The Maryland Transit Administration provides the primary public bus service for the Baltimore metropolitan area and commuter bus service in other parts of the state of Maryland. There are currently 76 bus routes, which include 45 LocalLink routes, 12 High Frequency CityLink Routes routes, 8 express bus routes, 19 commuter bus routes, and 5 Intercounty Connector or "ICC" routes. The local and commuter bus routes operate in conjunction with one subway line, three light rail lines, MARC train service, and various connections to other transit agencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lutherville station</span> Light rail station in Lutherville, Maryland, US

Lutherville station is a Baltimore Light Rail station located in Lutherville, Maryland. Like most suburban stations on the system, it has two side platforms serving the line's two tracks. It opened in 1992 as part of the initial operating segment.

The Central Maryland Transportation Alliance (CMTA) is a coalition of Baltimore area business, civic and nonprofit groups intent on improving travel within Central Maryland, which consists of Baltimore City and the surrounding jurisdictions of Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County. The group's stated objectives are to reduce congestion, limit sprawl, increase job opportunities and make it easier, faster and more efficient for anyone to travel within Central Maryland.

The Yellow Line is a mass transit line proposed by the Baltimore Regional Rail Plan in March 2002 for the Baltimore, Maryland area. It would begin at Columbia Town Center in Columbia, Maryland, and end in Hunt Valley, Maryland at Shawan Road.

The Charles Street Trolley is a proposed streetcar line running through northern portions of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Kittelson & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm hired by trolley advocates, estimates that the line would be likely to carry 2.5 million riders per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Maryland Rapid Transit</span> Railway line in the United States of America

Southern Maryland Rapid Transit, abbreviated as SMRT, is a proposed mass transit line along the Maryland Route 5 and U.S. Route 301 highway corridors in between Washington, D.C., and Waldorf, Maryland. The project would link the heavily populated suburbs of northwestern Southern Maryland with Washington via a direct transit connection to the Washington Metro at Branch Avenue station.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Campbell, Colin (September 11, 2020). "Five years later, many across Baltimore bitterly lament Gov. Hogan's decision to kill the Red Line light rail". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Michael Dresser (June 25, 2015). "Hogan says no to Red Line, yes to Purple". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  3. Kilgore, Ed (January 8, 2020). "Maryland Governor Accused of Rerouting State Funds to Benefit His Business". Intelligencer. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Rivera, Yvette (January 19, 2017). "In response to two separate complaints..." (PDF). Letter to Larry Hogan and Pete K. Rahn.
  5. 1 2 "Federal officials close civil rights complaint about Baltimore light-rail project". Washington Post. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  6. "Hogan says no to Red Line, yes to Purple". Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  7. Maryland Transit Administration. "Baltimore Region Rail System Plan Final Report" (PDF). Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  8. 1 2 Baltimore Red Line Mayor's Red Line information site. Retrieved 2010-1-8
  9. 1 2 Dori Berman (January 13, 2006). "New subway back in play?" (PDF). Daily Record. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  10. Michael Dresser (June 28, 2011). "Red Line gets a qualified go-ahead". The Baltimore Sun. p. 1.
  11. Cox, Erin; Laris, Michael (June 16, 2023). "Wes Moore relaunches Baltimore's Red Line, but big questions remain". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  12. 1 2 "BALTIMORE REGIONAL INITIATIVE DEVELOPING GENUINE EQUALITY, INC., and EARL ANDREWS, Individually, vs. STATE OF MARYLAND, MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, and MARYLAND STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  13. "Civil Rights Groups Challenge Maryland Gov. Hogan's Red Line Cancellation". Streetsblog USA. December 21, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  14. 1 2 Linderman, Juliet (January 23, 2017). "DOT expands investigation into canceled rail line in MD". The Washington Times. Associated Press.
  15. Duncan, Ian (January 23, 2017). "On last day, Obama administration announced civil rights review of Maryland transportation". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  16. 1 2 Senate Bill 873 (2006) Maryland Department of Legislative Services, Library & Information Service. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  17. 1 2 House Bill 1309 (2006) Maryland Department of Legislative Services, Library & Information Service. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  18. Governor's veto letter, May 26, 2006 retrieved 2010-1-29
  19. Executive Orders 2006 Department of Legislative Services archives. See p. 13 for Executive Order 01.01.2006.04. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
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  21. "Infrastructure bill would boost Metro funding, reopen door to Baltimore's Red Line project". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  22. Wood, Pamela (June 15, 2023). "Gov. Moore relaunches planning for Red Line transit in Baltimore". Baltimore Banner . Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  23. Ng, Greg (June 15, 2023). "Moore relaunches Red Line east-west transit project in Baltimore". WBAL. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  24. Holt, Alex (June 21, 2023). "Red Line redemption: What Governor Moore's announcement means for Baltimore". ggwash.org. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  25. Olaniran, Christian (September 28, 2023). "MTA unveils alternative routes for Red Line transit project". CBS News Baltimore. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  26. Olaniran, Christian (June 15, 2023). "Governor Moore announces plan to revive Baltimore Red Line project - CBS Baltimore". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  27. Wintrode, Brenda; Wood, Pamela; Zawodny, Daniel (June 27, 2024). "Gov. Moore says Baltimore's Red Line will be light rail, not rapid buses". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved June 27, 2024.