WHAT IS THE RED LINE?
The Red Line will be a high-frequency, high-capacity light rail line for the Baltimore Region, and will be an investment in residents’ access to jobs, education, services, and opportunities.
Provides thousands of residents more mobility options
Provides premium transit access to thousands of senior citizens
Shifts thousands of trips in the region to transit
Connect residents to hundreds of thousands of jobs
Connect thousands of students to education opportunities
Creates a complete system that connects to existing rail stations and high frequency bus routes
WHAT’S NEXT?
Since the Red Line relaunch in June 2023, we’ve built on prior studies and extensive community participation to move this project forward quickly so we can meet our region’s current needs and goals.
As we move forward, we will continue to work with jurisdictional partners, stakeholders, and the public to:
- Help define the most important needs that the project should address
- Weigh the pros and cons of different options
- Reach a preferred alternative that reflects current and future conditions and priorities
Summer 2023
Project is relaunched by Governor Wes Moore
Fall 2023
Completed detailed study of project costs, benefits & impacts
Received & incorporated public feedback to define preferences on trade-offs
Winter 2023/2024
Synthesized technical analysis and public engagement findings
Summer 2024
Announced Light Rail as mode
MYTH VS. FACT
VS.
FACT
MTA has analyzed the feasibility of using the current Metro Subway tunnel and implementing the Red Line project with a phased approach and has determined it is not a good option for several reasons. First, a phased HRT option using the existing tunnel does not match the goals for the project or address the needs of the corridor. Second, heavy rail requires grade separation, requiring tunnels or elevated sections, which would add significant complexity, risk, and years to complete the project. Third, the existing stations and proposed alignments do not align. Fourth, a phased approach creates a longer time to fully implement the project that could span decades and future phases are unlikely to proceed. Finally, the project would likely not be competitive for federal funding.
FACT
MTA’s transit system has over 300,000 daily trips using its Metro Subway, Light Rail, MARC train, and bus systems. Many of MTA’s top-ridership bus routes travel along the proposed Red Line corridor and increasing capacity in these corridors is needed. The proposed Red Line Light Rail corridor is the Baltimore Region’s high-ridership corridor with an estimated Average Daily Total Projected Trips accumulating between 28,500 and 35,500 riders. Investing in our high-ridership corridors with premium transit builds upon the system’s strengths and provides our riders with the excellent service they need and deserve.
FACT
The Red Line project is currently in the planning phase of the project where alternatives and alignments are being analyzed to determine the best alternative to move forward into design. Part of the planning process is determining the impacts along the corridor including property that would be needed to implement the project. The Red Line project team will make every effort to avoid any involuntary residential displacements along the 14-mile corridor. The project team will continue to work with the communities along the corridor about the right-of-way needs as the project progresses.
ENGAGE WITH US
Your participation is essential to make the future of Red Line a reality.
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