MDOT CTP Tour and Discussion with Carroll County Commissioners - October 30, 2025
MDOT Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) Tour and Discussion with Carroll County Commissioners - October 30, 2025
On October 30, 2025, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners hosted a Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) tour at the County Office Building, Room 003, starting at 3:30 p.m. The meeting featured presentations from Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) leadership and modal administrators, followed by extensive discussion with local officials and public testimony on transportation priorities, funding, and specific project needs.
MDOT CTP Overview
- Acting Secretary Mantha Biddle presented the draft six-year CTP, a $21.5 billion program (an increase of ~$300 million from the final CTP published in January 2025). She highlighted $400 million in new annual transportation revenues from the legislative session, leveraged to approximately $700 million annually through federal resources and financing. Safety and state of good repair are the North Star priorities. She noted a limited direct impact from the federal government shutdown, with MTA offering free rides to federal employees on MARC and commuter buses. Local highlights included a $220,000 Kim Lamphair Bikeways grant for Mount Airy to advance an east-west multi‑use trail at Watkins Park, and highway user revenue funding maintained at current levels through fiscal year 2027.
Modal Agency Presentations
- State Highway Administration (SHA) – Administrator Will Pines and District Engineer Andrew Radcliffe reviewed completed projects: narrowed travel lanes on MD 27 (Nicodemus Road to Bond Street) and lowered speed limit on MD 30 business in Hampstead from 50 to 40 mph; upgraded crosswalks on Sykesville Main Street and MD 31 in New Windsor; completed $16.4 million bridge replacement on MD 91; rehabilitated MD 851 in Sykesville (county replaced water/sewer, SHA replaced drainage, resurfaced, upgraded sidewalks). Ongoing projects: sidewalk project on MD 31 in New Windsor (expect 90% design this winter); shared‑use path on MD 27 west of MD 140 (work to resume early 2026); engineering concept for MD 26 safety and mobility improvements (not funded for design/construction); MD 97 corridor study under federal review.
- Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) – Deputy Director Lynn Winchelmendi reported $1.8 million in grants for Carroll County transit operations, including ride share, preventive maintenance, and three small buses.
- Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) – Administrator Chrissy Neiser noted a 5‑minute average wait time at the Westminster branch (two years running). Reported 16 traffic fatalities in Carroll County in 2024, and the same number so far in 2025. Highlighted safety initiatives: a traffic safety car (robot vehicle for child safety), training 10 Carroll County Health Department employees in CarFit, and $12.9 million in safety funding for law enforcement and partners. Commended Carroll County for developing a local strategic highway safety plan.
- Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) – Asha Solanke reported $226,000 for Carroll County Regional Airport: an automated weather observation system replacement and land acquisition for runway extension. Statewide, smaller airports generate over $1.4 billion in economic activity, with over 200 jobs at the local airport.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Commissioner Gordon thanked MDOT and asked about the likelihood of additional transit funding, citing an aging population and increased demand for paratransit. Acting Secretary Biddle suggested that operating and capital needs could be explored through the 5310 coordinated transportation planning meetings and STEP funding, and offered to follow up offline.
- Commissioner Kiler presented a detailed history of the MD 26 (Liberty Road) streetscape project, noting it has been the top community priority since 1996. He described previous efforts (design started in 2005, reached 40% before being placed on hold in 2007; the county had committed $2.5 million, later redirected to MD 32). He urged acceleration for safety reasons and asked what it would take to advance the project, including a potential county contribution. He also thanked SHA for the Sykesville streetscape project and raised the Frank Brown Trail connecting Eldersburg to Sykesville via Springfield Hospital, noting a previous $131,000 allocation and that an Army National Guard Readiness Center now blocks the route. MDOT officials recommended using the recreational trails and Transportation Alternatives federal grant programs for the trail, and suggested a follow‑up meeting.
- Delegate Tomlison raised concerns about the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project transmission line potentially running within one mile of Carroll County Regional Airport. He asked about FAA and MAA review process and feared a rubber‑stamp approval. MAA responded that they reviewed current and future airport plans and found no airspace impacts, but will re‑review in light of recent route changes to confirm.
- Mayor Melinda Smith (Manchester) highlighted severe congestion on MD 27 and MD 30, with average daily traffic of just under 19,000 vehicles on MD 30 north of MD 27 (compared to +5,000 on MD 26/MD 32 which have dual lanes). She requested additional lane capacity or operational improvements. She reported that the town spent $12,000 to file down sidewalks damaged by state‑planted trees, received a $30,000 quote for trimming, and that trimming was threatened with fines. She sought assistance with tree maintenance and sidewalk repairs.
- Mayor Chris Miller (Taneytown) discussed the bypass project, describing how congestion on MD 140/194 backs up to the circle leading to Westminster, blocking access to daycare, businesses, and the fire department. The city spent over $100,000 on traffic calming; a speed camera study showed 270 cars per day exceeding the school zone speed limit by 12 mph. He requested a westbound permissive turn signal at MD 140/194 and rapid‑flashing beacons at the crosswalk on MD 140. He noted that Pennsylvania traffic contributes to cut‑through in neighborhoods. District Engineer Radcliffe confirmed design work on the turn signal, potentially installable by SHA staff, with an update expected by the end of 2025. An unnamed Taneytown council member added that over 1,000 new houses are in planning and that semi‑truck traffic is damaging buildings (cracking windows, clipping structures).
- Mayor Stacy Link (Sykesville) corrected a prior statement about dedication of MD 851 – a request to SHA is still being worked on. She thanked MDOT for the completed infrastructure and noted that the South Branch Patapsco River bridge on MD 851 is now in design phase, a safety issue for pedestrians and connectivity.
- Mark Depot (Westminster) requested an update on the MD 97 corridor study and breakout projects; connectivity for trails from Wakefield Valley Park to other areas; safer pedestrian crossings on MD 140; and improvements at the MD 27/Main Street intersection where a pedestrian death occurred. He offered to partner on funding for rapid‑flashing beacons. MDOT responded that the MD 97 study is under federal review, trails funding is available, and offered a field meeting for the MD 27/Main Street intersection.
- Jerry Schumacher (Mount Airy) described an MOU sent to Carroll and Frederick counties for cross‑county public transit pickups to improve service to medical appointments across county lines. He also noted that the town is designing a tunnel or bridge over MD 27 using TAP funding as part of Center Street extension.
Discussion & Responses
- MDOT officials (Acting Secretary Biddle, Administrator Pines, District Engineer Radcliffe) responded to each comment, offering follow‑up meetings, noting funding constraints (e.g., no Fund 84 for streetscape), and suggesting federal grant programs (Transportation Alternatives, Safe Routes to School, recreational trails). They emphasized willingness to partner and find short‑term solutions where possible.
Key Outcomes
- MDOT will follow up with each jurisdiction on specific requests (field meetings, design reviews, funding opportunities).
- Taneytown’s westbound turn signal on MD 140/194 may be installed by SHA staff; update expected by end of 2025.
- MD 26 corridor engineering concept study continues; no construction funding identified, but breakout projects may be pursued.
- MD 97 corridor study results pending federal review; breakout projects to be identified.
- Frank Brown Trail/Springfield Hospital connection to be explored through federal grant programs (rec trails, TA).
- MOU for cross‑county transit service will be reviewed.
- Manchester streetscape tree issue to be addressed through MDOT Office of Environmental Design for blanket tree trimming permits.
- Westminster’s MD 27/Main Street intersection will be examined in a field meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Stay out of the wood. We do thank you for having us all here this afternoon. For the records, Mantha Biddle, Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, honored to be here in my home county and provide an overview of our draft six year consolidated transportation program, more commonly known as the CTP. Got a number of members of the MD team here. They will each provide a brief overview of their specific module unit. Um, and really our goal this afternoon is to be pretty concise, much like our meeting down at Miko over the summer, we really want to focus on taking the time to listen, hear how things are going and hear how we can help. Do you want to take a brief moment to talk about the ongoing federal government shutdown and the impact it's having on Maryland families? The administration is taking action to support and protect all Marylanders affected by the lapse in federal funding. Earlier this month, Governor Moore announced that anyone with a federal ED can ride MTA's mark and train and commuter bus for free during the government shutdown. We're also working to ensure that everyone is aware of protections for federal workers and to um try to keep these programs going as long as possible. So all information on unemployment insurance, housing, utilities, and loan programs can be found on the Governor's website, governor.maryland.gov. As for transportation, we're seeing a limited direct impact at MDOT. We're seeing a decrease in our transit ridership, obviously, to and from the Washington DC region, but for now we're operating as usual, and uh we will always work to protect Marylanders, our projects, and our investments. But turning back to that meeting at MACO, we do value that time you all took out of your visit there to spend with us. We were asked about plans for the sidewalks in New Windsor. And since then, uh our district engineer Andrew Radcliffe confirmed with the county that the sidewalk improvements are scheduled for spring of 2027. I also know there was a lot of interest and conversation in the 46 million dollar project to replace the 26 bridges over the Ray Reservoir. Design was initiated this past spring. We spent a bit of time talking about some maintenance of traffic and detour options for that one. We hope to have design completed in fall of 27 and anticipated construction to begin in spring of 2028. Uh the length of construction will depend on how many lanes we're going to need to maintain those traffic needs, and we'll be working closely with you all, emergency services, and the school systems as plans progress. We can talk about that a little bit more as well, but appreciate the partnership there. We know if we work together, we'll we'll certainly get it right. Um, in our draft CTP this year, MDOT is utilizing every dollar to make strategic investments in the Moore Miller administration's transportation priorities. Broadly, those are enhancing safety, maintaining our systems, that it's in a state of good repair, and driving economic growth across the state. The draft CTP is an exciting follow-up to a very productive legislative session. So I want to thank our general A.400 million in annual transportation revenues. And with these additional dollars, we are stretching the funding by combining it and matching it with federal resources and financing options to turn that $400 million into approximately $700 million in annual transportation funding. Without these resources, the department would have seen uh deepened cuts to transportation, and that is not necessary. Thankfully, we are able to share that the draft document includes investments across Maryland and in Carroll County. Getting into the details of the draft program, it is $21.5 billion, which is an increase of nearly $300 million from our final CTP published last January. Any additional dollars are being used towards those safety and state of good repair goals that I mentioned previously. A local highlight to point out is the $220,000 Kim Lamphair Bikeways grant for the town of Mount Erie to advance an east-west multi-use trail at Watkins Park. We're also happy to report that we are keeping highway user revenue funding at the current level through fiscal year 2027. Before turning it over to our Moodle updates, I do want to just talk a little bit about our focus on safety. Um, MDOT is serious about safety, and that is reflected in this draft CTP. We are continuing to push forward to expedite progress to sharply bend the curve on all roadway fatalities and serious injuries. So it's a real partnership across all of the modes. Um, safety being our sort of North Star in guiding everything that we do. I thank you so much for everything that you're doing on the local level to promote safety here in Carroll County and just encourage all those opportunities for partnership going forward. With that, I will turn things over to our state highway administrator, Mr. Will Pines. Well, good afternoon, everyone, and thank you. Uh as was mentioned, I'm Will Pines, Maryland State Highway Administrator, and I'm joined by someone who needs no introduction, the district engineer, Andrew Radcliffe. Uh but before I get started, I also want to thank the town of Mount Airy, the county, emergency crews, and everyone who helped us respond to the recent bridge strike at Maryland 27 and I-70 earlier this month. Um, this was frankly one of the most substantial bridge strikes we've ever experienced. Thanks to all the uh collaborative efforts, we're able to minimize the impact of traffic, and as you know, repairs are underway. In Carroll County this past year, we narrowed travel lanes on Maryland 27 from Nicodemus Road to Bond Street and added shoulder widths to support bicycle accessibility. We also lowered the speed limit from 50 to 40 miles per hour on Maryland 30 business in Hampstead from Maryland 30 to North, excuse me, North Woods Trail. Our district team also upgraded crosswalks on Sykesville Main Street and on Maryland 31 in New Windsor, which ties to our series about safety campaign that the Secretary just mentioned.
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