BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that it has awarded $8.2 million in grants for 25 bicycle, pedestrian, and trail projects across the state. The funding is intended to improve safety, enhance sustainability, and boost economic development.
The grants will support a variety of projects, including new paths for cyclists and pedestrians, improvements to existing trails, and enhanced safety measures for students traveling to school. The funding comes from a combination of federal and state sources.
“The Maryland Department of Transportation is proud to continue investing and serving communities through these grant awards, which will expand the state’s safe and connected options for people to walk, bike and roll,” said Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle.
Federal Funding for Trails and Community Projects
More than $6.2 million in federal funding was awarded through two programs: the Transportation Alternatives Program and the Recreational Trails Program.
- Recreational Trails Program: Four projects received $450,000, including trail improvements in state forests, reconfiguring a trail in Greenbrier State Park, a mobility mat for Betterton Beach, and enhancements to a mountain bike trail in Garrett County.
- Transportation Alternatives Program: Ten projects received $5.8 million, including Safe Routes to Schools coordinator projects in Anne Arundel, Howard, and Prince George’s counties, as well as repair and rehabilitation of a 20-mile stretch of the C&O Canal towpath in Washington County.
State Funding for Bikeways and Safety
The state’s Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program provided nearly $2 million for 12 projects. This year, the program expanded its eligibility to include maintenance of existing bike routes and the transformation of busy intersections into “Complete Streets” that are safe for all users.
The grants will fund 10 design projects in several cities and counties to improve access to parks, schools, and commercial areas. Additionally, two projects in Hyattsville and Easton will receive funding for bike parking and low-cost safety improvements.
The grants also include federal funding matches for design projects in Harford, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties, which will support low-stress bicycle facilities.
These awards are part of the department’s “Serious About Safety” initiative, an effort to enhance safety and save lives on Maryland’s transportation system. Funding for the Safe Routes to School projects also supports efforts to address child poverty by providing heightened support to certain schools and communities.
Photo via MDOT
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