Maryland expands transit services while highway projects stall

Maryland is implementing significant changes to its regional transit infrastructure. The Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) project is moving forward under the state’s FY 2027-32 Consolidated Transportation Program. This 18.7-mile dedicated transit line aims to connect the Branch Avenue Metrorail Station in Prince George’s County to the Waldorf-White Plains area along the MD 5/US 301 corridor. Funding for SMRT increased by $5.2 million due to a congressional directed-spending grant.

However, other road projects in Charles County have stalled. A $12.951 million study for the US 301 intersection at MD 228 and MD 5 Business has been on hold for over five years with no funding programmed for the next six years. Additionally, a proposed flyover project to address bottlenecks where southbound US 301 meets MD 5 remains on hold despite projected traffic growth.

In a separate development, the Maryland Transit Administration is expanding MARC Train service to provide a direct weekday connection between Montgomery County and Baltimore starting September 28. The expansion aims to reduce commute times significantly; for example, the trip from Silver Spring to Baltimore Camden Station is expected to drop from 118 minutes to 57 minutes. The service will connect several locations, including Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Silver Spring, without increasing annual operating costs by adjusting existing services.