Gov. Moore Announces Red Line Relaunch

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Governor Wes Moore announced the historic relaunch of Baltimore’s Red Line, a major investment in transit to significantly enhance east-west connectivity across the Baltimore region.

Beginning two decades ago, the Baltimore Red Line proposal sought to improve transit efficiency, fill an east-west transit gap, increase access to work and activity centers, provide connections to existing transit and other transportation modes, offer more commuter choices, and support economic development and community revitalization. ​

“Before it was canceled in 2015, the initial Red Line plan was shaped by more than 10 years of study, engineering, environmental analysis, and substantial community participation,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Having signed the original Red Line Community Compact fifteen years ago, I know this project and the tremendous benefits it will bring to the community are long overdue.”

Insights and commitments from technical work and community engagement conducted for the original plan, together with the Central Maryland Regional Transit Plan East-West Corridor Feasibility Study completed in 2022, provide a strong foundation for the project’s relaunch.

In the coming months, the Maryland Transit Administration will lead the next development phase, building on community participation to update and modernize the Red Line plan to meet the region’s needs and aspirations. Key considerations include:

  • Transit mode: Both light rail transit and bus rapid transit options were evaluated in the prior Red Line Environmental Impact Survey and in the East-West Feasibility Study.    

  • Tunneling: Options to reduce or eliminate tunneling downtown through on-street alignments to assess cost, benefits, and drawbacks to tunneling.

  • Highlandtown/Bayview alignment: Due to recent development in the Highlandtown area.

  • Environmental changes: Assessment to reflect any conditions that have changes since 2013 and integration with other projects.

The administration values community input and will undertake an intensive community engagement effort to gather, share and consider project options. The first public engagement period is expected to begin in mid-July and continue through m​id-August 2023. 

To learn more about the Red Line relaunch, visit www.redlinemaryland.com, sign up to receive project updates through email at outreach@redlinemaryland.com, and follow the Red Line relaunch on social media @redlinemaryland on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Full press release.

The CCA, recognizing the potential positive impact on our community and the entire Baltimore region, supports an east-west transit expansion and awaits further details from the governor and transportation officials. We will continue to work to be part of the planning process and will disseminate information to CCA members and the community as details are available. If you are interested in joining the CCA Transportation Committee, email info@cantoncommunity.org.