Baltimore (Glen Burnie LRT Extension)

Baltimore - Glen Burnie LRT Extension

Baltimore, Maryland

(November 1996)

Description	The Mass Transit Administration (MTA) is examining the community, engineering, and environmental feasibility of extending its light rail service from the existing southern terminus at the Cromwell Station stop to the Glen Burnie Town Center. The study area is located in northern Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and is part of the greater Baltimore metropolitan region. It is bounded by the Cromwell Station to the north, Georgia Avenue to the east, Central Avenue to the west, and Ritchie Highway to the south. The study evaluated the build and no-build alternatives. Under the build alternative, four alternative alignments are under consideration. Each alignment has only one station stop and the alignments range in length from 0.6 miles to 2.0 miles. Capital costs for these alignments range from $20.2 million to $43.4 million. The no-build alternative was used as a baseline to compare the level of efficiency and environmental impacts associated with the build alternative.
Status	A Notice of Intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was granted in January 1994. This work was partially funded under the Section 5307 formula program. The DEIS was published November 22, 1996, for public comment. Based on the results of the DEIS process, an alignment will be selected and a final EIS will be prepared. Through FY 1997, Congress has not appropriated funds for this study. An extension of light rail from the Cromwell Station stop has been adopted by the Transportation Steering Committee of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, the MPO for the Baltimore Region. The Anne Arundel County General Development Plan, which was updated during the summer of 1996, also includes the extension of the Central Light Rail Line south of the Cromwell Station stop.
Justification	Mobility Improvements. The daily travel time savings are projected to be between 915 and 1,890 hours. An extension of the Central Light Rail Line into the Glen Burnie Town Center proposes to increase transit ridership; address the need for improved mass transit services and mobility; support economic activity and revitalization within Glen Burnie; and relieve traffic congestion. Cost Effectiveness. The combined A.M. and P.M. peak period ridership (boardings and alightings) of the build alternative alignments range from 600 to 1,090 daily trips. The cost effectiveness index for the alignment alternatives begins at $11 and would rise to $56.30, depending on which alignment is selected.
	Environmental Benefits. The Metropolitan Baltimore Interstate Air Quality Control Region has been designated a non-attainment area for ozone. Automobile vehicles miles will decrease under all of the build alternatives; therefore, the impact on regional air quality will be positive. Operating Efficiencies. The MTA's 1995 systemwide Central Light Rail Line per boarding cost is $2.64 (representing the no-build alternative). For the four build alternatives, the cost per boarding is an average of $2.69.
Local Financial Commitment	MDOT is financed through the transportation trust fund. Trust Fund monies for this project may be available after FY 1997.