BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, April 4, 2024) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is working with partners at the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration to get certified. The BRTB is asking members of the public to take a survey of recent planning and outreach by May 7, and will host a hybrid public meeting on May 1.
The process of federal certification takes place every four years, and seeks to ensure that the BRTB follows federal rules for planning and outreach. Since the BRTB’s most recent certification in 2020, more than 1,750 people have weighed in on plans and projects, helping shape the future of the region’s transportation system. The BRTB continues striving to reach more people around the region and bring more voices into the planning process.
“Your feedback is critically important to our federal certification process,” says Todd Lang, Director of Transportation Planning at Baltimore Metropolitan Council, the agency that staffs and supports the BRTB. “Whether or not you’ve taken part in our past planning work, we want to know how we can better reach you, share the information you need and get your feedback.”
The BRTB is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for the Baltimore region. Its board members include local elected officials as well as local, state and federal agency specialists who guide transportation planning and budgeting in the Baltimore region, evaluating needs and trends, listening to communities, and advancing shared priorities for the movement of people and goods with a focus on safety, equity and resilience.
This certification review will focus on the BRTB’s Resilience 2050 long-range transportation plan, approved in 2023 and the BRTB’s Public Participation Plan, updated in 2022, as well as the most recent Transportation Improvement Programs, which are refreshed annually and act as budgets for transportation projects throughout the region.
The BRTB is asking members of the public to complete a brief survey on these planning and outreach efforts. The BRTB will also host a hybrid public meeting on Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. At the meeting, members of the public will have a chance to learn more about the process of certification from federal regulators and ask questions or share comments. Participants can join virtually, or in-person at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council’s McHenry Row office.
Ways to comment include:
- Online via a short survey at publicinput.com/BRTBcertification
- Sending an email to BRTBcertification@publicinput.com
- Texting keyword ‘BRTBcertification’ to 73224
- Leaving a voicemail toll-free via 855-925-2801x1774
- Reach @BaltoMetroCo on social media with #BRTBListens
- Joining a public meeting on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
- Virtual: register for the link via publicinput.com/BRTBcertification
- In-person: visit the Baltimore Metropolitan Council’s McHenry Row office at 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300, Baltimore MD 21230 (free visitor parking, transit accessible via MTA Local 71 and 94 or the Charm City Circulator Banner Route)
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. BMC offers interpretation services, including language translation services and signage for the hearing impaired, at public meetings upon request with seven days advance notice. BMC will not exclude persons based on age, religion, or disability. For assistance, contact the Public Involvement Coordinator, comments@baltometro.org, or call 410-732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Usarios de Relay MD marquen 7-1-1. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.