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State Highway Administration plans safety blitz, cites winter maintenance overrun risk and $1.1 billion FY‑26 capital target
Summary
SHA told the subcommittee the FY26 operating budget increases by $25.5 million and the FY26 capital program totals roughly $1.1 billion (84% minor program), announced expanded pedestrian safety action plan corridors and warned snow removal spending is tracking above budget and may create a $30–$40 million shortfall by fiscal year end.
The subcommittee reviewed the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) fiscal 2026 operating and capital proposals and the SHA leadership outlined priorities for safety, system preservation and worker protections.
DLS presented the SHA budget highlights and changes: the SHA operating budget increased by about $25,500,000 or 7.1% (adjusted for a FY25 budget amendment the year‑over‑year increase is smaller). DLS showed SHA’s six‑year consolidated transportation program totals approximately $6.8 billion (a $564,000,000 decrease from the prior CTP) and SHA’s FY26 allowance totals about $1.1 billion, with 84% in the minor program.
Administrator Jonathan Pines (SHA) described program priorities and the department’s pedestrian safety action plan (PSAP), noting quick‑turn, data‑driven safety investments in high‑crash corridors. Pines said the PSAP effort has launched projects in 13 corridors identified for high vulnerable‑road‑user crash rates and that “these corridors experience 425 crashes with vulnerable road users over the last 4 year period including 67 serious injury and 31 fatal crashes.” Pines said SHA plans additional complete‑streets funding of $27.5 million to advance pedestrian and bicycle safety projects, and highlighted major projects MDOT and SHA will pursue with increased capital funding in the CTP such as US‑15 in Frederick County and an I‑81 widening in Washington County.
On snow and winter maintenance, SHA told the committee the FY26 maintenance allowance of $64,200,000 equals the five‑year average but actual snow removal activity is well above the FY25 run‑rate: SHA had expended roughly $62,300,000 of a $69,800,000 FY25 snow budget as of early February and the administrator projected a year‑end total that could approach $100,000,000, which implies a potential $30–$40 million shortfall for winter maintenance depending on additional storms and year‑end accounting.
SHA also requested eight new operating positions in FY26 to support asset and program management; DLS recommended funding for new positions be denied with the option to reclassify vacant positions to meet needs under fiscal constraints. SHA asked the committee to retain the eight positions, arguing they will help leverage federal funds and accelerate project delivery.
Why this matters: SHA’s mix of safety investments, major corridor projects and ongoing maintenance will determine near‑term roadway safety and congestion outcomes; winter weather costs and position counts directly affect SHA’s ability to operate within appropriation limits.
Next steps: SHA will continue PSAP corridor work, seek to secure federal grant opportunities for major corridor projects, and work with the committee to reconcile operating needs and position requests. DLS recommended denials of new operating positions with reclassification of existing vacancies where feasible.
Provenance: DLS presented the SHA budget and Administrator Pines and Secretary Wiedefeld answered committee questions about PSAP, winter maintenance spending and capital priorities.
