Maryland Port Administration and Maryland Aviation Administration officials outlined recent cargo and airport investments during the Maryland Department of Transportation consolidated transportation program briefing at Towson University.

Bob Monroe, deputy executive director at the Maryland Port Administration, said container and auto volumes are up year-over-year and that the completion of the Howard Street Tunnel key element improves double-stack rail capacity. "The double stack project will increase business by 160,000 containers and create about 13,000 new jobs," Monroe said, and noted the port continues to monitor tariff impacts.

Monroe described a $147 million EPA Clean Ports grant with two components: an equipment deployment component that will fund the deployment of more than 200 low- or zero-emission vehicles and equipment at port facilities and a planning component to expand emissions inventories, analyze alternative energy and develop a community engagement plan targeting adjacent underserved communities. "The grant will improve air quality at the port and for our adjacent underserved communities, many of which are in Baltimore County," Monroe said.

Dan Bogarulo, deputy chief of airport finance at the Maryland Aviation Administration, said BWI Marshall contributes more than $11.3 billion annually in economic impact and supports more than 100,000 jobs; Martin State Airport supports roughly 2,300 jobs and generates $49 million in state and local revenue. Bogarulo said a $22 million project to construct a new air-traffic-control tower at Martin State is underway and will ensure safe operations for decades.

County and state officials said aviation and port investments are critical to regional economic development and that MDOT intends to continue grant programs for airports and port emission reductions.