FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Team to Include Daily/Frequent Transit Riders, Community Leaders
BALTIMORE, MD (May 16, 2024 – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration has named 25 individuals to the newly-formed Red Line Community Advisory Team (CAT). The selected candidates expressed interest in volunteering to serve and represent a diverse group of transit riders, community members, business owners and other stakeholders. CAT members will provide a direct link between the Red Line project team and the neighborhoods along the east-west corridor the route will serve, bringing the perspective of impacted communities into the planning and design process.
“The Red Line is a monumental investment in the future of our region and community input is key to project success,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “The Community Advisory Team will elevate the voices of our riders and local leaders as we move forward with the planning, design and construction of this much needed project.”
The Red Line is a high-frequency, high-capacity transit line for the Baltimore Region, relaunched by Governor Wes Moore in June 2023. The Red Line will address a major gap in east-west transit service between Bayview and Woodlawn through downtown Baltimore City.
Criteria for selection of participants on the Community Advisory Team were wide ranging in order to create a diverse group able to give voice to various perspectives. The current total of 25 individuals Includes 12 who ride transit daily or often; 14 leaders in the community; and 4 of small business owners. Notably, more than half of the members identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and/or female, ensuring a thorough representation of communities along the corridor.
Members confirmed to serve on the Red Line Community Advisory Team include:
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The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration thanks the Red Line Community Advisory Team for their volunteer efforts. Additional details on the CAT and member responsibilities can be found at redlinemaryland.com/cat .
While the precise alignment of the Red Line route is still under study, the project team is also advancing the technical work required to compete for federal funding under the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. Building upon previous efforts, the project will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of a proposed project.
To advance the SEIS, the Maryland Transit Administration will conduct non-invasive field work on some properties along the project corridor. These observations will not result in any property damage. Typical work may include gathering information concerning utility marking, topographic data, utility and storm drain structures, environmental features, or locating features that may affect project design. In the coming weeks, the agency will notify owners and occupants in writing if field workers may need to access their property.
The Red Line project has been shaped by over a decade of study, engineering, environmental analysis and substantial community participation. To learn more and to sign up for project updates, visit https://redlinemaryland.com and follow the Red Line progress on Facebook, X , Instagram and Threads. To contact the project team, email outreach@redlinemaryland.com.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration is to provide safe, efficient, reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on X @mtamaryland.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
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