TOWSON, MD—Transportation officials are exploring options that could see the Light Rail expand into Towson via the Loch Raven Boulevard corridor.

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Transit Administration says its Central Maryland Regional Transit Plan identifies 30 transit corridors that together would create a strong transit network in Central Maryland.

The East-West portion of the plan expands transportation options from Bayview to Ellicott City while the North-South portion of the plan extends transportation options from Towson to downtown Baltimore.

There are seven options currently being studied as part of the North-South Corridor Study:

Alternative 1
Light Rail Transit from Lutherville to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) via York Road/Greenmount Avenue.

Alternative 2
Bus Rapid Transit from Lutherville to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) via York Road/Greenmount Avenue.

Alternative 3
Bus Rapid Transit from Towson to Harbor East, via York Road/Greenmount Avenue.

Alternative 4
Heavy Rail Transit (Subway) from Towson to Port Covington, via York Road/Greenmount Avenue.

Alternative 5
Bus Rapid Transit from Towson to Port Covington, via York Road/Greenmount Avenue.

Alternative 6
Light Rail Transit from Lutherville to Otterbein, via Goucher Boulevard, Loch Raven Boulevard.

Alternative 7
Bus Rapid Transit from Towson to Harbor East, via Joppa Road, Loch Raven Boulevard.

Alternative 6 would see the Light Rail system expand from downtown Baltimore, to Loch Raven Boulevard and Goucher Boulevard, and on to East Joppa Road.  Alternative 7 would see rapid bus service expand from downtown Baltimore, up Loch Raven Boulevard all the way to East Joppa Road.

Additional details regarding the plan can be found online here.  Additional information on the Regional Transit Plan can be found online here.

Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the plan by completing the online survey here by November 7th.

“As someone who has worked in the federal and state transportation departments, I certainly value the need to improve mobility; the Towson Loop is an example of a nimble operation that aims to connect people with jobs, restaurants and other destinations,” said Baltimore County Councilman David Marks. “But the idea of building rail lines in Towson is expensive and harmful to established communities…Please take the survey and make your opinions known to the state and other stakeholders.”

Additional information can be found in the graphics and video below.

Featured photo via Wikipedia