It was super good news to learn that Maryland Governor Wes Moore decided to move forward with light rail as the preferred technology for Baltimore’s Red Line (story here). Moore resurrected the Red Line after taking office in 2023. Former Governor Larry Hogan had cancelled the project in 2015, with disastrous consequences for the city of Baltimore, the regional transit network, transportation equity, and Maryland’s long-term economic development.
I have been an active supporter of the Red Line for years (see, for instance, my blog posting here), so it was very heartening to see the project reborn, especially as a light rail line. Bus rapid transit – while great in some applications – is not what we need here. What we need is light rail – and tunnels!
Why tunnels? If you have ever tried to drive along an east-west route through central Baltimore, you will know that it is very constricted both by the limited street network and by water. Even if you could carve a dedicated surface route through it, you would be limiting yourself to providing streetcar-type service. With judicious use of tunneling, you could provide real rapid-transit service. Realistically, however, comparative costs (very expensive vs. very very expensive) will tend to tug decision-makers toward surface options. (An overview of the options under consideration can be found on the project web page here.)
So, carry on, Red Line advocates! More work to be done!
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