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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.

 

VIEW THE MAP

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Provides thousands of residents with more mobility options

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Provides premium transit access to thousands of seniors

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Shifts thousands of trips in the region to transit

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Connects residents to hundreds of thousands of jobs

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Connects thousands of students to education opportunities

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Connects existing rail stations and bus stops

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

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 the public, jurisdictional partners, and other key stakeholders 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

Fall 2024

Hosted public open houses

Summer 2024

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Announced Light Rail as mode

Winter 2023/2024

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Synthesized technical analysis and public engagement findings

Fall 2023

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Completed detailed study of project costs, benefits and impacts

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Received and incorporated public feedback to define preferences on trade-offs

Summer 2023

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Project is relaunched by Governor Wes Moore

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 Red Line team will continue to work with communities along the corridor concerning their needs and property-related concerns as the project progresses.

ENGAGE WITH US

Your participation is essential to make the future of Red Line a reality.

Connect With Us

 

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Glossary of Terms

Alignment
In transit planning this term refers to the specific physical pathway or route that a chosen transit mode will take to connect destinations. It may include travel on the surface, tunnels, or structures (bridge).
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and many public and private places that are open to the general public.
Central Maryland Regional Transit Plan (RTP)
The Central Maryland Regional Transit Plan (RTP) is a 25-year plan for improving public transportation in Central Maryland (Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County, and Howard County). The Plan addresses traditional transit (buses and trains) and explores new mobility options and technology.
Community Advisory Team (CAT)
The Community Advisory Team (CAT) is a group of individuals who bring voices and perspectives from the full range of affinity groups and neighborhoods living, working, and investing along the Red Line transit corridor. The CAT is serving as a vital link between the Maryland Transit Administration’s Red Line team's engagement efforts and the diverse communities of the greater Baltimore region.
Community Compact
A collaborative agreement between project stakeholders to ensure the success of the Red Line project by involving community, business, and advocacy group leaders in maximizing community benefits and addressing diverse interests and perspectives.
East-West Regional Transit Corridor Feasibility Study
The East-West Regional Transit Corridor Feasibility Study looked at a corridor serving east to west in Baltimore City and County. It helped identify the potential for high-capacity transit service serving heavily traveled east-west corridors in Baltimore. In particular, the study reinforced the need for enhanced transit in the area now being studied for the Red Line alternatives.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is the part of the U.S. Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The agency supports all types of transit, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries. FTA also oversees safety measures and helps develop next-generation technology research.
Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Light rail transit (LRT) is a public transportation system that often uses electric-powered trains to carry passengers in urban areas and is capable of operating in mixed traffic. LRT systems are a modern version of streetcars, but they can carry more passengers, travel faster, and cover longer distances.
Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)
An alternative (mode and alignment combination) evaluated through the local planning process, adopted as the desired option by the appropriate state and/or local agencies through a public process, and identified as the preferred alternative in the NEPA process.
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is the overarching agency for state transportation in Maryland. It is led by the Maryland State Secretary for Transportation and includes the Maryland Aviation Administration, the State Highway Administration, the Maryland Port Administration, the Motor Vehicle Administration, and the Maryland Transit Administration.
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is a state-operated mass transit administration in Maryland, and is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) train
The Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) is a commuter rail system in the Washington–Baltimore area. MARC trains are operated by the MTA. The Red Line will have a direct connection to MARC trains at the West Baltimore MARC Station which will be completely rebuilt by Amtrak as part of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Project with Amtrak.
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) is an association of 100 major North American cities and transit agencies formed to exchange transportation ideas, insights, and practices and cooperatively approach national transportation issues.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal law that requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their actions when building or implementing a new project. The goal of NEPA is to lesson or eliminate negative affects of a project.
Park-and-Ride
A park-and-ride is a parking lot where transit users can leave their car and get on a bus or train to transport them to their destination.
Record of Decision (ROD)
A Record of Decision (ROD) is a formal document that summarizes the findings of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A ROD is the basis for a federal agency's decision on a project.
Red Line
The Red Line is the name given to this project. It will be a high-frequency, high-capacity Light Rail line for the Baltimore Region, and it will be an investment in residents’ access to jobs, education, services, and opportunities.
Red Line Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Facility
The Red Line operations and maintenance (O&M) facility will be a central location where trains can be regularly maintained and kept in good condition to run transit service. The facility may also include a storage yard for the trains to "live" in when they are not being used.
Regional Rail Plan
The Regional Rail Plan from 2002 outlines proposed future rail lines for the Baltimore Region. This plan is where the Red Line first appeared on a map and became the basis for the project under development today.
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is a document that updates or enhances an existing Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A SEIS is prepared when new information, circumstances, or changes to a project would result in significant environmental impacts that were not considered in the original EIS.
Transit Signal Priority (TSP)
Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is a technology that adjusts traffic signal timing to make it easier for transit vehicles to pass through intersections faster by either extending green lights longer or shortening a red light when a transit vehicle is present.
Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)
A tunnel boring machine (TBM) is a large mechanical "mole" that is able to dig tunnels deep underground with little to no disruption on the surface except for where the machine enters the ground.
West Baltimore MARC Transit Oriented Development Study (MARC TOD)
The West Baltimore MARC Transit Oriented Development Study (MARC TOD) looks at the potential for future development around the West Baltimore MARC Station. The station will be rebuilt as part of Amtrak's Frederick Douglass Tunnel Project to be fully accessible with elevators and indoor waiting areas. This station will be a key connection hub for local MTA buses, the Red Line, and MARC train service. The area around the station is ideal for development of new housing, retail, and other community-oriented uses that can help maximize the investment in transit.