[This concerns me as Baltimore pays for the non-trails bit of it’s Bike Master Plan through it’s own budget which is very different then most of the country that get’s Federal Transportation Enhancements and/or CMAQ money to pay for these things (My readers should know by now that the State’s policy is a major hindrance in getting Federal Aid for the localities to get on-road biking for transportation in this State. But I will note that the State does not have trouble getting Federal Aid to fund on-road bike projects on its roads.)]
The state’s longstanding practice of paying more for Baltimore City roads — then letting the city government handle its own paving — is coming under increasing scrutiny this year as other jurisdictions struggle with reduced state highway aid.
Since Baltimore takes care of the state roads within its borders, the city takes in much more in highway user revenues than any other jurisdiction. That has been exacerbated by cuts in Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed budget for this year.
In the governor’s plan, the city would get nearly $131 million, while the counties share $8 million and municipalities get $41 million.
Legislative analysts are recommending to lawmakers that they take $30 million from the city and spread it throughout the 23 counties.
Republican lawmakers in a budget briefing this week proposed taking $100 million from the city’s share of highway user revenues this year. And at a hearing Thursday, Baltimore Sen. Verna Jones asked what it would cost the state to take over the maintenance of state roads in the city.
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https://www.marylandreporter.com/page610153.aspxoldId.20100302135237579