Work will begin next month on infastructure improvements along the CityLink Blue and Orange Bus lines, a 20-mile stretch from east to west Baltimore County through Baltimore City. Construction will start Oct. 6 on the RAISE East-West Transit Priority Project, the Maryland Transit Administrat ion announced. The RAISE project aims to improve speed, reliability, and safety for riders, pedestrians, and bike riders. The work will happen in stages to keep neighborhood disruptions to a minimum. Crews will work mostly during weekday daytime hours, and outside those hours only when necessary. Most upgrades to bus stops will take around three to five days per location. RAISE East-West Transit Priority Project will improve safety and commute times. Map via MTA. “The MTA’s $50 million RAISE East-West grant represents a transformative investment in Baltimore’s transit network,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “The project’s core priorities, including dedicated bus lanes to improve reliability, enhanced boarding areas to increase rider safety, and expanded accessibility, directly align with my administration’s goal of building a safer, more connected, and more accessible city for all Baltimoreans.” To speed up bus trips, plans include upgraded traffic signals that give buses priority and lane curbs to keep buses on schedule. New crosswalks, accessible sidewalk ramps, and better lighting at bus stops should improve safety for walkers and rollers. Bicycle riders will see an upgraded connection between Downtown Baltimore and the West Baltimore MARC rail station. “Building the new East-West Transit Priority Project means we are creating more pathways to work, wages and wealth, by providing safe, reliable transportation for Marylanders in Baltimore to thrive,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “Whether it be transportation to your kid’s school, the nearest grocery store, or a new job, our administration is dedicated to building the necessary infrastructure to connect Maryland communities to opportunities, ensuring no one is left behind.” The $50 million investment includes a $22 million federal RAISE grant which Maryland’s Congressional Delegation supported. “When we invest in our infrastructure—especially in transportation—we are investing in our communities to be better connected to their families, work, health care, recreation, and more,” said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “I have made a commitment to ensure Marylanders can benefit from more modernized infrastructure and easier access to transportation and will keep fighting for that. I am proud of our work to invest $22 million in federal funding to help transform Baltimore’s CityLink Blue and CityLink Orange corridors.” “The RAISE East-West Transit Priority Project will be a game changer for Baltimore and our surrounding communities, enhancing safety while making it easier for people to get to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the West and to Johns Hopkins Bayview and beyond in the East,” said Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who represents Maryland’s 7th congressional district. “The upgrades being made represent a real investment into Baltimore and its people. This is why it’s important to have as we do, a governor and a Congressional delegation dedicated to expanding access to mass transit in Maryland.” Anyone interested in learning about the plans and timelines are encouraged to attend either of the two virtual public meetings hosted by the MTA, which will be held on Sept. 22: Midday Meeting: 12 – 1:30 p.m. Evening Meeting: 6 – 7:30 p.m. Community members will have the opportunity to ask questions as they learn what to expect during construction.  Links to the virtual meeting, including maps and project schedules are available on the RAISE East-West Transit Priority Project website. ...read more read less