Renewing her push for an east-west transit corridor in Baltimore, Mayor Sheila Dixon named a former federal transportation official yesterday as the city's point person on the proposed Red Line project.

Danyell Diggs, 36, formerly with the Federal Highway Administration, will be a liaison between residents and the city and state agencies involved in the project, Dixon said.

"This project is one of my top priorities," said Dixon, who also talked about the Red Line in her inaugural address. "We know that the Red Line is a tremendous opportunity for the city."

The Red Line, which is in its early stages, would be a 12-mile route from Woodlawn to the Johns Hopkins Bayview medical campus. It could include buses, rail, new roads or some combination of those, and officials have estimated that it could cost more than $1 billion.

About $239 million in state and federal money has been set aside for planning, engineering, design and initial construction.

"It is the future of Baltimore," said Paul J. Wiedefeld, administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration. "That's what this is about."

Dixon said an east-west transit route would strengthen neighborhoods in its path and make it easier for residents to get to work. The route for the new line has not been determined. Officials said construction could begin as early as 2012, depending on funding.

Diggs, who will be paid $90,000 a year, grew up in Northwest Baltimore and graduated from Western High School. She has a master's degree from Morgan State University.

Dixon said the city will hold a community meeting on the issue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 10 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

john.fritze@baltsun.com

For more information about the public meeting, visit mayorsred linesummit.com.