PRESS RELEASE:
Community Input Vital as Planning Efforts Continue to Improve Travel Time Along MD 5 (Branch Avenue)/US 301 (Crain Highway) Corridor
BALTIMORE, MD (November 18, 2025)—The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration will host a second series of public open houses for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study. These meetings will present the latest technical project analysis, including projected ridership, cost, and environmental and economic impacts, and will help identify potential transit solutions for Southern Maryland. The SMRT project aims to provide an alternative travel option between Southern Maryland and the Washington, D.C. region.
“Public input is essential to ensure the SMRT project reflects the needs and priorities of the people who travel to and from Southern Maryland,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “This project represents an investment in the region – supporting access for jobs, education and economic opportunity.”
The study is evaluating multiple modes of transit, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), Hybrid Rail (YR) and other dedicated and mixed-traffic transit options, all focused on reducing congestion and providing access to employment centers, such as Joint Base Andrews and MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, along the MD 5/US 301 corridor. The corridor extends from the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495) near the Branch Avenue Metro Station in Prince George’s County south to the Waldorf-White Plains area in Charles County.
Public Open House Schedule:
Prince George’s County
Thursday, December 4, 2025
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Pareik at Brandywine
16100 Cadillac Drive
Brandywine, MD 20613
Transit access via TheBus Route P84 (Branch Avenue – Brandywine), Brandywine Crossing Shopping Center stop
Charles County
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Hilton Garden Inn
10385 O’Donnell Place
Waldorf, MD 20603
Transit access via VanGo St. Charles A Route (Waldorf West Library stop) and Indian Head Route (St. Patrick’s Street & St. Phillips Drive / Highgate Place stop)
Virtual Open House
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Details available at: smrtmaryland.com.
Comments from the open houses, online comment form and engagement survey will be accepted through January 11, 2026. For questions, accessibility accommodations or more information contact SMRT@mdot.maryland.gov.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, operating systems that include Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit network. Our goal is to provide safe, efficient, and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland, Instagram at MTA Maryland and follow us on X @mtamaryland and bluesky@mta.maryland.gov.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
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