Touting a new spoke in the wheel of the region?s public transportation system, Mayor Sheila Dixon appointed a transportation expert Wednesday to bolster efforts in the 12-mile Red Line project.
The new line, which would be either a light-rail or rapid-bus transit, is estimated to move 40,000 riders a day between Woodlawn?s Social Security complex and Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. With possible Red Line stops in upper Fells Point and Canton, the mayor said strengthening the city?s mass transit is key to the city?s growth.
“This is about the future of the city,” Dixon said. “The Red Line is a tremendous opportunity for Baltimore, not just as a transportation project but as an opportunity to create jobs, preserve the environment and revitalize communities.”
As part of citywide effort to push the Red Line forward, Dixon appointed Danyell Diggs as the city?s Red Line coordinator. Diggs, a former community planner for the Federal Highway Administration, will manage the city?s efforts to garner federal funding for the project.
Baltimore is competing with several cities for federal funds, which are available through a mass-transit subsidy program called New Starts. So far, the federal government has granted $100 million for Red Line feasibility studies. Red Line advocates hope construction will start by 2010 at an estimated cost of $1.2 billion.
“It?s a very competitive process, we need to focus our efforts now,” said Donald Fry, president of the Greater Baltimore Committee, which supports the Red Line.
Despite support from city leaders, mass transit advocates say Red Line plans are missing key components.
“[The Red Line] does not have a direct connection between our current light rail and subway,” said Nate Payer, director of public information for the Transit Riders Action Council, referring to the city?s current subway line that runs from Owings Mills to Johns Hopkins Hospital.
“”The biggest part of killing ridership is having to transfer,” Payer added. “The bigger the transfer, the less people are likely to use the system.”
Payer was hopeful that planners would consider a proposed Yellow Line, which is supported by his group. The line, which would be a “heavy rail” or subway, would connect to the existing subway from West Baltimore and turn north, ending at the campus of Johns Hopkins University in Charles Village.
“We think expanding the region?s mass transit is an excellent idea,” Payer said. “However, other reasonable alternatives should be considered.”
To address concerns of community groups and to rally public support for the project, Dixon is holding a Red Line Community Summit May 10 at the Convention Center, which will be open to the public.
