Governor Moore Announces MOVE Maryland Coalition to Reinforce the Administration's Critical Need for Additional Transportation Funding

"You cannot have economic mobility without physical mobility. That’s the mindset at the center of MOVE Maryland – a broad coalition of leaders from both the public and private sectors who have raised their hands to help us write the next chapter in the story of Maryland transportation," said Gov. Moore. "In partnership, we will create jobs, grow our economy, and make transportation across our state safer and more reliable for all."

The MOVE Maryland Coalition represents more than 40 organizations across Maryland that are committed to realizing the Moore-Miller Administration’s vision for transportation infrastructure that maximizes Maryland’s economic potential. The $420 million in annual funding proposed by The Consolidated Transportation Program, includes construction for critical safety projects, and infrastructure revitalization, including:

• Advancing statewide highway safety projects, including constructing long-awaited improvements on I-81 and US 15 and advancing design on other deferred projects throughout the state. 

• Reinvesting millions of dollars in critical bridge repairs, roadway resurfacing and other safety enhancements to make roads safer for all users. 

• Addressing the most critical needs at the Maryland Transit Administration to provide reliable access to opportunity for more Marylanders, including a full rehabilitation of the Light Rail system. 

• Enhancing the economic competitiveness and sustainability of the Port of Baltimore to maintain and expand its ability to drive growth and opportunity throughout the entire State. 

The Maryland Department of Transportation plans to maximize this investment, fully leveraging all available federal funding and financing, which would turn the $420 million annual state investment into $695 million annual of new resources for the Transportation Trust Fund.

"When Governor Wes Moore took office, Maryland's transportation system was in crisis after years of disinvestment and the end of over $3 billion in federal COVID relief," said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. "Investing in safe, sustainable infrastructure is vital for Baltimore’s future and Maryland’s overall success. We are committed to maintaining our Highway User Revenue and seeking support for initiatives like the West Baltimore United project. Two significant investments in Baltimore—the Frederick Douglass Tunnel and Baltimore Penn Station—are particularly noteworthy. We're optimistic about the positive developments ahead for Baltimore and the state of Maryland."

"The people of Maryland demand and deserve to have a world class transportation system that is reliable, convenient and spurs economic growth," said Maryland Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle. "These additional dollars are critical for the Department to keep our transportation system in good working order by making critical bridge repairs, providing much needed investments to transit and enhancing the economic competitiveness of the Port of Baltimore."

"We are grateful to Governor Moore for listening and leading on an issue in which so much is at stake," said Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association President and CEO Michael Sakata. "Maryland’s transportation funding crisis is a public safety crisis that, if not addressed, would lead to fatalities, lost jobs and the erosion of our quality of life. The Governor has responded to the crisis with an investment that will improve the lives of everyone who lives, works and has chosen to invest in our great state."

"The MOVE coalition will align the key partners in the State to advance much needed investments to strengthen our transportation infrastructure and further support our long-term economic aspirations," said Greater Baltimore Committee President and CEO Mark Anthony Thomas.

"Governor Moore spoke about economic mobility and aligned it with transportation mobility. That is important because when union workers build something they get the pride of investing in their community and saying 'I built that,'" said Maryland Director for the Baltimore-DC Building Trades Ray Baker.

"When I was at the Mass Transit Administration, I used to tell our team to think of their jobs — not in terms of the specific functions they performed like operating a bus or repairing signals — but instead in terms of what they really do," said Central Maryland Transportation Alliance Board Member Ronald Hartman. "They help people to live full lives, providing ways to get to jobs, school, health care, and entertainment. We appreciate Governor Moore’s recognition of that."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly $3 billion in federal COVID relief dollars helped paper over the issues but this funding has since run out, exposing the structural deficit within the state’s Transportation Trust Fund — first outlined by the Department of Legislative Services in 2019. Without new revenues, the Maryland Department of Transportation would need to consider additional budget cuts — jeopardizing critical transportation projects across Maryland.