About the Project

MDOT MTA, in partnership with Baltimore City Department of Transportation, is planning targeted investments to make bus service on Belair Road and Gay Street faster, more convenient, and safer between Moravia Road and Preston Street. MDOT MTA paused the project when the Covid pandemic began but has now restarted the study. In this project phase, MDOT MTA will be looking at feedback from the public on the concept design and preparing for final design of the proposed improvements.

What Improvements Is MDOT MTA Considering?

MDOT MTA has a Transit Priority Toolkit which describes a range of ways that bus service can be improved and our streets made safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. MDOT MTA has considered several of these tools to improve bus service along the Belair Road/Gay Street Corridor.

Possible improvements include:

Bus bulbs

Traffic signal adjustments

Additional bus shelters

Safer pedestrian crossings

Accessibility improvements

Belair Rd / Gay St corridor map
Public Feedback From 2019

Bus Reliability/Travel Time Variability
You told us that bus reliability was the most important improvement needed.

Better Bus Stop Amenities
You told us you want more shelters, benches, and lighting.

Walking to the Bus Stop
You told us that sidewalks and crosswalks need to be improved for the safety and convenience of bus riders.

MDOT MTA Is Also Analyzing

Average Bus Speed
How fast or slow is transit compared to other traffic? Traffic congestion and closely spaced stops can slow buses

Dwell Time
How long does it take buses to serve their stops? Re-entering travel lanes after passengers board and alight takes longer at some stops than others.

Ridership
How many people are using the bus? Which stops are most heavily used? Are there stops that people aren’t using at all?

What This Can Look Like
  • Moving specific bus stops to the far side of the intersection reduces the amount of time a bus waits at a light before picking up passengers
  • Making sure that the distance between bus stops isn't too long or short helps to maintain bus speed
  • Building out the curb so that riders can step directly from the sidewalk onto the bus
  • Installing new bus shelters at high-ridership locations
  • Installing curb ramps and maintaining unobstructed spaces makes bus stops accessible for all riders, including those using mobility devices
  • Brightening crosswalks and overhead lighting make everyone feel safer
Comment and Participate

MDOT MTA held a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. Topics discussed included a history of the project, existing conditions, proposed improvements, and the project schedule. Click here to view a PDF of the presentation that was given.

Have other questions or comments? Reach out to the project team at transitpriority@mdot.maryland.gov.

Project Schedule

Belair Road/Gay Street Corridor Project Schedule

Spring/Summer 2019

MTA initiated the project with public outreach and created a concept design. Click here to see the information presented at that meeting.

Spring 2022

MTA reintroduced the project to the public via a mailer, popup events, and a survey.

Summer 2022

MTA developed concept designs for improvements at key locations.

Fall 2022

MTA reviewed and revised the concept plan based on comments from the public and began to prepare final design of the corridor improvements.

Fall 2023

MTA began the engineering and final design phase of the project, based on the concepts developed through public comment and outreach.

Future

Following the preparation of the final design, construction funding will be necessary for MTA to implement the improvements.

Resources