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Maryland Department of Transportation officials are making their annual visit to Towson today to discuss roads projects and their status in the state's six-year capital funding program. Given the economic downturn and the state's fiscal woes, Baltimore County officials have limited their expectations.
Like the other jurisdictions across the state, the county has developed a priority roads list, which includes improvements to the Beltway, I-83, and major arteries such as Pulaski Highway and Reisterstown Road, as well as more streetscapes and sidewalks.
"Our expectations are clearly affected by the nation's financial situation," said Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. "But, even in difficult times, infrastructure is essential to the quality of life. These projects will create jobs that are needed to rebound from the recession."
The meeting, at 10:30 a.m. in council chambers, usually draws a crowd and includes many councilmen and state legislators.
"People come to see what the state is putting on the table," said David Fidler, a spokesman for the county's public works department. "The county recognizes the budget crunch and expects light fare."
The public works staff has identified 10 projects that are considered critical to the transportation needs in several communities. A new interchange for Dolfield Boulevard and I-795 in Owings Mills tops the list.
"This is a growth area with a lot of ongoing construction," Smith said. "To support that growth, we need infrastructure."
A preliminary feasibility study has emphasized the need for the project, projected to cost about $225 million. The interchange is one of the few projects that remains on track. The state has budgeted nearly $2 million and the county will contribute $625,000 for a planning study that will ultimately determine which of several options will define the project.
"Clearly the county's priority list and the planning funding put the project ahead of the curve," said Dave Buck, State Highway Administration spokesman. "It has stayed in the capital program with some funding, when other projects were deferred entirely."
How quickly the interchange moves from planning to design and construction will depend on funding, he said.
Smith will also argue for several public transit projects, including a new MARC station near Route 43 in Middle River, improvements and expansion of rail transit to alleviate congestion on area highways and the construction of the Red Line corridor from Security Boulevard to Bayview. The county's recently completed Red Line Technical Report recommends land use changes to encourage transit oriented growth and ridership for the train line.
BRAC, the nationwide military base expansion coming to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County, has already spurred economic and residential development in eastern Baltimore County, making planned infrastructure improvements to the Route 40 corridor imperative, officials said.
"With BRAC coming, mass transit is more important than ever," Smith said.
The county will also seek improvements to I-695, the Beltway, which is located almost entirely within its borders. Federal stimulus funds will address the $30 million reconstruction of the Beltway bridge over Liberty Road, but other upgrades must win state funding and remain on track to meet the region's mobility needs, Smith said.
Like the other jurisdictions across the state, the county has developed a priority roads list, which includes improvements to the Beltway, I-83, and major arteries such as Pulaski Highway and Reisterstown Road, as well as more streetscapes and sidewalks.
"Our expectations are clearly affected by the nation's financial situation," said Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. "But, even in difficult times, infrastructure is essential to the quality of life. These projects will create jobs that are needed to rebound from the recession."
The meeting, at 10:30 a.m. in council chambers, usually draws a crowd and includes many councilmen and state legislators.
"People come to see what the state is putting on the table," said David Fidler, a spokesman for the county's public works department. "The county recognizes the budget crunch and expects light fare."
The public works staff has identified 10 projects that are considered critical to the transportation needs in several communities. A new interchange for Dolfield Boulevard and I-795 in Owings Mills tops the list.
"This is a growth area with a lot of ongoing construction," Smith said. "To support that growth, we need infrastructure."
A preliminary feasibility study has emphasized the need for the project, projected to cost about $225 million. The interchange is one of the few projects that remains on track. The state has budgeted nearly $2 million and the county will contribute $625,000 for a planning study that will ultimately determine which of several options will define the project.
"Clearly the county's priority list and the planning funding put the project ahead of the curve," said Dave Buck, State Highway Administration spokesman. "It has stayed in the capital program with some funding, when other projects were deferred entirely."
How quickly the interchange moves from planning to design and construction will depend on funding, he said.
Smith will also argue for several public transit projects, including a new MARC station near Route 43 in Middle River, improvements and expansion of rail transit to alleviate congestion on area highways and the construction of the Red Line corridor from Security Boulevard to Bayview. The county's recently completed Red Line Technical Report recommends land use changes to encourage transit oriented growth and ridership for the train line.
BRAC, the nationwide military base expansion coming to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County, has already spurred economic and residential development in eastern Baltimore County, making planned infrastructure improvements to the Route 40 corridor imperative, officials said.
"With BRAC coming, mass transit is more important than ever," Smith said.
The county will also seek improvements to I-695, the Beltway, which is located almost entirely within its borders. Federal stimulus funds will address the $30 million reconstruction of the Beltway bridge over Liberty Road, but other upgrades must win state funding and remain on track to meet the region's mobility needs, Smith said.
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