BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation this week today released a draft of its six-year capital budget, a $21.5 billion plan to enhance safety, maintain infrastructure and support the state’s economy.
The Draft Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 outlines a balanced budget that has been bolstered by an increase of nearly $300 million in federal matching funds. This increase was made possible by approximately $400 million in additional annual state revenues passed by the General Assembly.
“This capital budget focuses on our priorities of enhancing safety, maintaining our system and driving economic growth,” said Acting Maryland Transportation Secretary Samantha J. Biddle. “The additional revenues allow us to continue to advance projects that achieve these goals.”
The draft plan includes investments across all transportation modes:
- Transit: The budget calls for significant reinvestment in the Maryland Transit Administration’s core service, including the rehabilitation and modernization of the central light rail line.
- Highways: Major upgrades are planned for corridors such as U.S. 15 in Frederick County and I-81 in Washington County. The plan also prioritizes safety enhancements for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
- Aviation and Port: Key projects include a new air traffic control tower at Martin State Airport and continued modernization efforts at the Port of Baltimore’s Dundalk Marine Terminal.
- Local Support: The budget maintains critical funding for local projects through Highway User Revenues and Locally Operated Transit Systems grants.
Several projects are advancing to construction with the help of federal matching funds, including a project to add a lane in each direction on I-97 in Anne Arundel County and a project to improve safety and pedestrian connectivity on MD 97 in Montgomery County.
The draft budget also includes a separate $5 billion investment from the Maryland Transportation Authority, which is funded by toll revenues.
MDOT has launched a public engagement process, with meetings scheduled in every Maryland county and Baltimore City between September and November to gather input from local officials and the public. A schedule of these meetings is available on the MDOT website.
The final CTP will be submitted to the General Assembly in January for consideration during the 2026 legislative session.
