Spring Break
Transit projects hit a roadblock
Kevin Robillard
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: News
Route 1 redevelopment and the Purple Line were two victims of state-wide transportation cuts yesterday - losing millions of dollars to be allocated next year - as Transportation Secretary John Porcari deferred more than $1.1 billion in transportation projects because of falling tax and fee revenues.
This announcement comes on the heels of Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) stating Tuesday that $432 million in cuts would need to be made to the state's budget to accommodate lower-than-predicted tax revenue. The two announcements are unrelated, as the Transportation Department gets its funding from a different pool of money than the state's general funds, but both stem from a weak economy affecting governments across the country.
"The revenues received from the motor fuel tax, the vehicle titling tax and vehicle registrations are all coming in below projected levels. These revenues are three of the largest funding sources for transportation projects across the state. Without the expected revenue, we have to defer new projects until we can afford them," Porcari said in the press release.
Route 1 redevelopment, which city officials have championed for years, had its funding completely eliminated. It was scheduled to receive $7.1 million, including $1 million a year for the next three years and $4.1 million in 2012. The now-deferred money was intended to help the State Highway Administration widen Route 1 and add bus pull-off lanes and sidewalks, which would reduce congestion in the area near the intersection of Route 1 and Route 193.
"We've been waiting forever to see these improvements," said Stephanie Stullich, the District 3 Councilwoman. Stullich bemoaned the lack of funds for existing roads such as Route 1 when millions were still being spent to build the Intercounty Connector.
District 2 councilman Jack Perry shared Stullich's frustration. He said the longer the state delays the project, the higher construction costs will become because of upcoming housing and commercial developments and their impact on Route 1.
This announcement comes on the heels of Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) stating Tuesday that $432 million in cuts would need to be made to the state's budget to accommodate lower-than-predicted tax revenue. The two announcements are unrelated, as the Transportation Department gets its funding from a different pool of money than the state's general funds, but both stem from a weak economy affecting governments across the country.
"The revenues received from the motor fuel tax, the vehicle titling tax and vehicle registrations are all coming in below projected levels. These revenues are three of the largest funding sources for transportation projects across the state. Without the expected revenue, we have to defer new projects until we can afford them," Porcari said in the press release.
Route 1 redevelopment, which city officials have championed for years, had its funding completely eliminated. It was scheduled to receive $7.1 million, including $1 million a year for the next three years and $4.1 million in 2012. The now-deferred money was intended to help the State Highway Administration widen Route 1 and add bus pull-off lanes and sidewalks, which would reduce congestion in the area near the intersection of Route 1 and Route 193.
"We've been waiting forever to see these improvements," said Stephanie Stullich, the District 3 Councilwoman. Stullich bemoaned the lack of funds for existing roads such as Route 1 when millions were still being spent to build the Intercounty Connector.
District 2 councilman Jack Perry shared Stullich's frustration. He said the longer the state delays the project, the higher construction costs will become because of upcoming housing and commercial developments and their impact on Route 1.
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