The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) launched a pilot program recently that would promote alternative transportation options for business and commuters along a five-mile stretch of MD 295.
The six-month pilot program hopes to increase mobility, reduce congestion and help employers attract and retain workers in the Baltimore region, as well as help improve travel reliability amid the continuing impact of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
“It is critical to help commuters find solutions to reduce stress and congestion – both after the Key Bridge collapse and during the rebuild,” MDOT Acting Secretary Katie Thomson said. “That includes providing real-time information, expanding travel alternatives and connecting commuters with new resources and incentives.”
The pilot program will partner with employers to encourage alternatives to driving alone. Through targeted outreach and employer engagement, the department believes it will help businesses and employees see what commuting alternatives and incentives are available.
The MD 295 corridor between West Nursery Road and I-95 is home to work sites, including schools and medical facilities that support essential services. Since the Key Bridge collapse in 2023, the corridor has experienced slower speeds and reductions in travel reliability. MDOT has adjusted construction schedules, modified traffic patterns and introduced new incentives to ease congestion and improve safety. The pilot program, officials said, would build on those efforts by promoting the commuting alternatives.