Md. transportation plan seeks $420 million in new revenue; Eastern Shore delegates press for road funding

Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle of the Maryland Department of Transportation told the Eastern Shore delegation on Feb. 14 that MDOT's final capital transportation plan (CTP) includes "an additional $420,000,000 in state transportation revenue annually," a change the agency says would unlock roughly $695,000,000 in annual new resources when combined with bonding and federal matches.

The revised plan, presented to the delegation during a two-hour briefing, aims to restore deferred projects and to increase funding for local transit operators, community airports and state-maintained roads. "This balanced plan includes maintaining operations across the department and advancing previously deferred priority projects," Biddle said.

Why it matters: The additional state revenue would be used to leverage federal matching funds and to resume previously deferred projects on the Eastern Shore, including advancing design and NEPA work for Maryland 90 (the Ocean City Expressway). Delegation members said the allocation mix in the CTP shows substantial increases for some MDOT modes while appearing to reduce State Highway near-term funding, raising worries about resurfacing and other routine maintenance on rural and federally ineligible roads.

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