Aerial photos of the intersection of Routes 301 and 304 in Centerville. (David Trozzo/MDOT)
Each year, Maryland counties identify and share their transportation priorities with the Maryland Department of Transportation to help inform the development of the agency’s capital budget, also known as the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP). This year, we are adding a new online option for localities to send in their requests. We are also extending the filing deadline.
Here’s what you need to know about the process.
Basics About County Priority Letters
Every Spring the Counties send Priority Letters to Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. The letters highlight the local priorities for system preservation, expansion projects, safety improvements, transit enhancements and planning initiatives. Depending on the structure of the local government, Priority Letters are endorsed by the local Commissioners, Council or County Executive, as well as the majority of the local legislative delegation. Traditionally the letters are sent by April 1.
Information contained in Priority Letters varies in both content and level of detail. The Maryland Commission on Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs (TRAIN) last year recommended that MDOT standardize the process. In accordance with the Commission’s input recommendation, the Department is implementing a new process for local governments to develop and share their local transportation priorities.
New Online Option and New Deadline
Starting this year, MDOT is offering two ways for local governments to submit their transportation priorities: they can continue to submit by mail or file their requests through a new online form.
The online platform provides a fillable form for local governments to share information on priorities such as:
- Safety projects
- New capacity and system preservation projects
- Transit-oriented development
- Feasibility studies and local operations needs
- Requests for specific Administrations (e.g., SHA, MPA, MTA, MVA, MDTA) and other topics
To provide greater opportunities for local governments to use the online form, MDOT is extending the deadline for submitting Priority Letters to May 16.
Local Priorities Help Guide Transportation Investments
Regardless of which method local governments choose to share their transportation priorities, MDOT encourages multi-modal submissions including transit, road, pedestrian and bicycle needs, to enable local governments to have a greater impact on all State transportation investment decisions.
MDOT will be hosting an informational session on how to use the new Priority Letter online form in April. For more information on the online form or the upcoming informational session, please contact MDOTPlanning@mdot.state.md.us or Shawn Kiernan at 410-865-2775. Visit MDOT.maryland.gov/PriorityLetter to learn more.
Shawn Kiernan is a Regional and Strategic Planner with the Office of Planning, Programming and Project Delivery at the Maryland Department of Transportation.
