MTA

Attention Ravens Fans

Kick-off for today’s game against the Chicago Bears is scheduled for 4:15 PM.

MTA is expecting regular Light Rail and Metro Subway service.

Crews are clearing parking lots and platforms but fans should anticipate
reduced parking due to snow accumulation. For Light Rail riders, overflow
parking is available at the BWI Business District and Warren Road
Light Rail stops.

MTA’s Transit Information Center is open special hours today until 5 PM.
Call 410-539-5000 for assistance.

Light Rail service will run for at least one hour after the game ends tonight.

Follow the rest of the traffic, transit, and closing updates here.

Michael Dresser mentions this:

The proposal being batted around in Prince George’s would take the Green Line as far north as Route 32 near Savage before it would curve east toward Fort Meade and Odenton. That would make it a lot easier to get to Washington via Metro without getting mixed up in traffic jams.

He also links to the Greater Greater Washington post on the subject. Dresser proposes that the MTA in MD get together with the WMATA in making the two systems more connected if this happens. He mentions the possibility of the light rail connecting to Metro somewhere as well as the B30 bus from BWI making trips to the new terminus of the green line (it now goes to Greenbelt.)

Another intriguing proposal Dresser mentions is allowing for off-hours or weekend connections for MARC’s Camden Line in the Savage or Laurel area.

Baltimore County PD

Police Release Conclusion of Death Investigation in Light Rail Incident
State’s Attorney’s Office Has Concluded Review

Baltimore County, Md. (August 7, 2009) – Baltimore County Police and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office have concluded their investigation and review of the deaths of Jarrett Connor Peterson, 17, and Kyle Wankmiller, 17. The result of the investigation concluded that the incident was an accident, and no criminal charges will be filed against the operators of the Light Rail trains that fatally struck the two teens on July 5.

Jarrett Connor Peterson and Kyle Wankmiller were walking on the tracks near the Lutherville Light Rail station in Precinct 7/Cockeysville when they were struck by a Light Rail train. Police found both victims seriously injured. Jarrett Peterson was pronounced dead after arriving at St. Joseph Medical Center. Kyle Wankmiller was transported to Shock Trauma by helicopter, and later died on July 6 as a result of his injuries.

The Mass Transit Administration (MTA) police originally began an investigation into the deaths, and on July 8, requested the Baltimore County Police Department to assume responsibility for the death investigation.

WBAL.com

The O’Malley administration thinks light rail is the best choice for two major transit projects.

Governor O’Malley said Tuesday morning that the state will propose two new light rail lines – one in Baltimore and one in the DC suburbs.

State officials favor light rail for the Red Line, which would run from the Woodlawn area of Baltimore County to the Johns Hopkins Bayview medical campus in east Baltimore. The 14-mile Red Line would connect with the city’s existing transit network.

The so-called Purple Line would be a 16-mile light rail track from Bethesda and New Carrollton that supplements the existing Metro subway.

The state will ask the Federal Transit Administration to help fund the projects, both of which are expected to cost more than $1 billion.

Baltimore Sun

While gubernatorial aides would not tip their hand on the governor’s Red Line choice, the guest list for the Baltimore event included many public supporters of what is known as Alternative 4C: light rail in a tunnel under downtown, Inner Harbor East, Fells Point and Cooks Lane but otherwise on the surface.

UPDATE
The Baltimore Sun comes out in favor of the plan.

Michael Dresser reports that Senator Brian Frosh has come out opposed to plans the MTA apparently is exploring to listen in on riders on trains and buses.

From the Sun story:

“Do we really need to stoop that low in order to keep order?” Frosh said. “It’s that ‘1984′ question ultimately: Do you want government delving that closely into everybody’s personal life to maintain our safety.”

Frosh also predicted that legislation outlawing the practice would be introduced. No comment from MTA officials has been made yet.