B'more Involved promotes civic engagement in local and regional transportation, planning, and equity. This important information - also posted on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) - is a great way for you to learn more, stay up-to-date on important events and news, and let you know how you can B'more Involved! 

In this issue: 

• Join us February 6 and help shape the future of the Patapsco Regional Greenway 
• New Baltimore Regional Transit Commission Launches Friday
• Share Your Thoughts On Next Years Transportation Planning Budget 
• Take the Harford County Transit LINK Survey 
• Comment on Plan ‘Our Baltimore’ Recommendations and Map 
• Make Your Voice Heard on the Future of West Baltimore
• Don’t Worry, Tell HoCo 
• Show You Care - Buckle Up Valentine's Day and Every Day 
• Check Out Our Other Mailing Lists 
   

JOIN US FEBRUARY 6 AND HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE PRG 

In 2017, a plan for the Patapsco Regional Greenway (PRG) was approved by the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB). The PRG will be a 40-mile trail running through the Patapsco Valley from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to Sykesville in Carroll County. The PRG will be used by bicyclists, walkers, runners and (in some places) wheelchair users and horse riders. Over 12 miles of the greenway have already been completed. 

Now, we are eager to hear from you about the Stoney Run trail, which will add another 4 miles to the greenway.  Before we start to plan, we would like to hear from the community, what are your thoughts? What features would you like on this part of the trail? Any worries on your mind? What suggestions do you have to make the trail beneficial for everyone?

Come to our community meeting to talk about your thoughts and ideas!  We’ll be at the Elkridge Branch of the Howard County Library System (6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075) on Tuesday, February 6 from 6-8 p.m.  We hope to see you there!   

The public can share comments at the public meeting, by text or email, via voicemail, or on the project webpage. Comments are welcome through Friday, February 16, 2024.  

Stay tuned to publicinput.com/PRG to learn more or participate

NEW BALTIMORE REGION TRANSIT COMMISSION LAUNCHES 

The Baltimore Regional Transit Commission (BRTC) is set to host its inaugural meeting on Friday, February 2, established to provide input, oversight and advocacy duties for Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and Locally Operated Transit System services in the Baltimore region.

The Maryland General Assembly created the BRTC in the 2023 legislative session, which marks a significant milestone in regional transit governance. The sixteen Commissioners were appointed by Governor Wes Moore, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski, Jr., Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball III and represent transit riders, large employers and industry experts. The meeting agenda includes the election of the Chair, a discussion on upcoming reports and remarks from MTA.  

The Commissioners' immediate focus will be organizing the commission and developing bylaws,  developing a thorough understanding of transit in the Baltimore region, including challenges and opportunities, as well as listening to input from stakeholders and riders.  

BRTC meetings are open to the public and the first one will take place Friday, February 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Baltimore Metropolitan Council, 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21230  or via Zoom. 

Learn more at baltometro.org

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON NEXT YEARS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING BUDGET 

Did you know that the BRTB can request several million dollars each year in federal funding for planning the future of transportation? It’s true! Every year we come up with a list of work we are going to do and what our planning priorities are. These ideas come from our local jurisdictions, as well as community members like you.  

Think of it like a roadmap for transportation planning. In it you’ll find a list of where we plan to put money and resources for studies, collecting data, reaching out to the public, and other projects related to planning and improving transportation. 

This year we will release our updated plan and budget on Wednesday, February 7. Once launched, you’ll find an overview of our work and you’ll see where we are going next. Then, you’ll see a tab where you can share your thoughts on our transportation planning budget. 

We’ve got big plans. Let us know what you think! Comments are welcome from February 7 through March 11.   

Visit publicinput.com/brtbbudget to learn more

TAKE THE HARFORD COUNTY TRANSIT LINK COMMUNITY SURVEY 

Harford County is conducting a community survey to help them better understand travel needs and identify potential improvements to the local public transportation system. 

Take a few minutes by Wednesday, February 7 to complete the short survey. 

Take the survey

COMMENT ON THE PLAN ‘OUR BALTIMORE’ RECOMMENDATIONS AND MAP 

Baltimore City recently completed a series of Plan “Our Baltimore” open houses, brainstorming, work sessions, and community meetings. Our Baltimore is a comprehensive plan to guide physical development of the City over the next ten years and beyond. 

Based on the ideas shared, a draft set of policy recommendations and a land use map has been created. The draft recommendations focus on four key areas: (1) Food Access (2) Transportation Equity (3) Access to Parks and Open Space and (4) Digital Equity.   

You can comment directly on the draft recommendations at the links below or provide general feedback through a survey. Deadline for all comments and feedback is Friday, February 9. 

Learn more at planourbaltimore.com

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD ON THE FUTURE OF WEST BALTIMORE 

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation is holding a Community Workshop for the West Baltimore United planning project for the “Highway to Nowhere” corridor. 

The Highway to Nowhere is a remnant of past efforts to connect Interstate 70 with Interstates 83 and 95 around Baltimore’s Central Business District. However, those highway connections were never completed. Ultimately, the strong community advocacy of neighborhoods prevailed; but not before the West Baltimore section of Route 40 was constructed, thus earning the local moniker “the Highway to Nowhere." Roughly 50 years later, the road remains a physical and symbolic barrier to progress, dividing large swaths of West Baltimore that were once connected. 

Now, the City of Baltimore, in conjunction with the Maryland Transit Administration, is coordinating the West Baltimore United Planning Project that will set the communities of West Baltimore on a path to a brighter future.  

What do you want that future to look like?  Share your thoughts at a community workshop on: 

• Saturday, February 10 from 9 a.m. to noon 
  Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts 
  1500 Harlem Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217

This location is transit accessible via MTA #80, CityLink Navy, CityLink Pink and CityLink Orange lines. Light refreshments will be available. 

Visit streetsofbaltimore.com to learn more
 

DON'T WORRY, TELL HOCO  

The Howard County Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Highways are busy year round keeping area roads safe.  

As you travel around the county, if you see areas that need a little extra attention, go to “Tell HoCo.” This web- and mobile-based application offers residents and visitors a quick and easy way to report non-emergency neighborhood issues, such as potholes, graffiti, sidewalks, traffic signals, signs, sewer or water, parks and more to the County. 

To learn more, visit howardcountymd.gov/tell-hoco

SHOW YOU CARE - BUCKLE UP VALENTINE'S DAY AND EVERY DAY

Show you care this Valentine's Day. Make sure your loved ones buckle up each time they get into a car. 

Make it home to your loved ones this Valentine’s Day - and every day. Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective way to prevent death and serious injury in a car crash. Wear your seat belt – every trip, every ride, front seat or back seat. 

Got children in the car? Kids whose parents wear seat belts are more likely to buckle up themselves. Car seats and boosters are one of the easiest ways to keep your child safe and when installed correctly, car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers. 

Learn more at zerodeathsmd.gov

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER MAILING LISTS 

Did you know that BMC also shares information on different projects and plans?  Visit publicinput.com/hub/1231 to sign up for email or text alerts.