Baltimore (Central LRT Extensions)

Description

The Mass Transit Administration (MTA) of Maryland is building three extensions to the Central Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in metropolitan Baltimore with FTA support. The extensions are: a 2-mile, 2-station branch off the LRT main line in Linthicum directly into the Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport terminal; a 5-mile, 5-station extension from Timonium to Hunt Valley; and a quarter-mile, one-station spur off the main line into Pennsylvania Station where Amtrak Northeast Corridor trains and MARC commuter trains stop. The three LRT extensions are estimated to cost $106.3 million (escalated dollars).

Status

Section 3035(nn) of ISTEA directed FTA to enter into a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with MTA for the three LRT extensions, and MTA and FTA signed a FFGA in November 1994. A total of $84.9 million in Section 5309 New Starts funds has been provided through FY 1997, completing the Federal commitment for this project.

The projects are being implemented using the design-build method, and are participating in the FTA Turnkey Demonstration Program. ISTEA initiated this program to determine if the turnkey (design/build) approach will reduce implementation time and cost. All three extensions are under construction at varying stages. Construction is expected to be complete by early 1997 on all three extensions. Revenue operation for all three extensions is scheduled for June 1997.

Source of Funds

Total Funding ($million)

Federal:

$84.90 ($84.90 million appropriated through FY 1997)

Local

21.44

TOTAL

$106.34