For years, plans have been made for another Regional Rail System, similar to the one planned in the early 1960's. Most of us have heard about the plans for the Red Line, an East-West Line that would connect East and West Baltimore to Downtown, connecting near the Light Rail and Metro. However, since 2002 there have been plans for a more complete system. The Central Maryland Transportation Alliance wants to extend the metro line further to Morgan State University, White Marsh, and Middle River, as well as add another line connecting Columbia with Baltimore, with that line running north through centrail Baltimore, providing transportation to the Johns Hopkins, Loyola and Towson Universities, eventually linking back up with the Light Rail line in Timonium and Hunt Valley.
This is the map of the proposed lines, courtesy of the CMTA.The new lines and extentions would help link the lines together more, providing transfer points between lines, and even linking up with existing MARC stops.
According to an article in the Baltimore Sun, the CMTA is trying to push the yellow line ahead of an extention to the current Metro system into White Marsh. They argue that the yellow line to Columbia and Towson is most likely to forge a culture of transit, whereas other lines are less likely to provide opportunities for redevoloping the city. The yellow line is proposed to go through Johns Hopkins, Loyola and Towson Universities, offer students without transportation a way to get around the city easier.
Though plans have been made, seeing any of these lines become a reality will take several years. According to The Transport Politic, the Red Line could be operational by 2016, though that could easily be extended. Without support from the residents of Canton in Baltimore, this project could either be blocked or delayed very easily.
The CMTA wants us to "Imagine a Regional, Rapid and Reliable Transit System that spurs Economic Growth, creates Equitable Access and ensures Environmental Protection." This is a great plan, and though it sounds fantastic
Beyond the Red Line, the Green Line extention or Yellow Line could take many more years. Baltimore may finally see another transportation system that serves the metropolitan area like the old streetcars, but if the next few decades are anything like the last few, delays will be in the future. With any luck, we will once again see a regional rail system and a thriving Baltimore City.
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