“North Avenue plays a vital role in Baltimore as a corridor that connects neighborhoods and institutions across the city,” said Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn.
Federal, state and local officials gathered at Coppin State University to celebrate the award of a $10 million federal grant for the North Avenue Rising project in Baltimore City, which is part of the Hogan administration's transformative BaltimoreLink transit improvement plan. The $27 million North Avenue project will be jointly funded with $14.7 million from the Maryland Department of Transportation, $1 million from Baltimore City, and $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration.
"Moving the North Avenue Rising project forward as part of our administration's BaltimoreLink plan is key to providing an efficient transportation system that will improve the vitality of this Baltimore community," said Gov. Larry Hogan. "Thanks to partnerships with our federal and local partners, we can continue to move forward with BaltimoreLink in this final section of North Avenue, helping to connect residents to jobs along this important corridor."
"I am proud to have played a part in securing these crucial federal funds for the North Avenue Rising project," said U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings. "This is precisely the kind of investment we need to sustain the new renaissance that is beginning on North Avenue and to help expand it to all communities along the corridor."
The $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant compliments $14.7 million in funds committed by MDOT, $1.6 million from U.S. DOT's Federal Highway Administration, and $1 million from Baltimore City. North Avenue already has been identified as a key transit corridor in MTA's $135 million revision of the citywide transit network — BaltimoreLink. With the additional federal funding, revitalization along the 5-mi. (8 km) stretch of North Avenue now will include dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, bike facilities, enhancements to Light Rail and Metro Subway stations, improvements at major bus stops and sidewalks, streetscaping and roadway re-paving.
"North Avenue plays a vital role in Baltimore as a corridor that connects neighborhoods and institutions across the city," said Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn. "This project will strengthen economic development efforts in the corridor that will improve the quality of life for Baltimore communities for years to come."
MTA administrator and CEO Paul Comfort agreed.
"The transportation improvements linked to this project will help jumpstart economic growth for this key section of Baltimore City — connecting people to major economic and entertainment centers while getting people where they want and need to go faster and more efficiently."
MTA's second busiest bus line — carrying nearly four million passengers annually — runs along North Avenue, which is one of the few roadways that connect the MTA's Metro Subway and Light Rail transit systems. This corridor is also home to many important Baltimore institutions such as Coppin State University and Maryland Institute College of Art. MTA and Baltimore City have worked together closely with the common goal of revitalizing North Avenue to its full potential.
"I am grateful for the federal and state support to enhance our city's roadways, mass transit systems and biking facilities," said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "State of-the-art infrastructure that supports multi-modal transportation for city residents makes economic opportunities accessible. Building effective transit infrastructure has positive impacts on the quality of life of our residents, including access to jobs and opportunity. When our residents have the opportunity to grow financially, it is a positive outcome for the entire community."
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