The Spirit of Community
OPINION: What's Ahead for Transportation in Maryland?
As Maryland seeks a new Secretary of Transportation, it is important to take a look at the challenges the department will face in the years ahead.
Beverley Swaim-Staley announced last week that she will leave her post as Maryland's secretary of transportation, effective in July. As the O'Malley administration initiates its search for a new leader, let's consider the issues facing the new secretary on his/her first day on the job. Department of Transportation (MDOT) is perhaps the state's largest agency—at least in terms of scope of operations, number of personnel (more than 10,000), and budgeted funds (well over $3 billion annually). MDOT consists of five modal administrations covering aspects of transportation individual citizens are likely to use (highways, ports, transit, motor vehicles and airports). Additionally, the independent Maryland Transportation Authority has …
Nicole K.
7:50 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Trying to cut off the community from transit is really short-sighted. The fear of crime is a myth. Research shows that perhaps when the transit connections first open, there may be an initial spike in crime, but that tapers off significantly. With gas prices rising and all of the congestion that poor planning and sprawl has created, communities without transit options are losing. Nationwide, … more ›