About the Project

MDOT MTA, in partnership with Baltimore City Department of Transportation, is planning targeted investments to make bus service on Garrison Boulevard, Bloomingdale Road, and Poplar Grove Street faster, more convenient, and safer between Wabash Avenue and Edmondson Avenue. MDOT MTA paused the project when the Covid pandemic began but has now restarted the study. In this project phase, MDOT MTA will be looking at locations where we can make improvements, and we will study what investments can provide the most benefit to bus riders.

Possible improvements include:

Bus bulbs

Traffic signal adjustments

Additional bus shelters

Safer pedestrian crossings

Accessibility improvements

Garrison Boulevard corridor map
This is what we heard:

Bus Reliability/Travel Time Variability
You told us that bus reliability was the most important improvement needed.

Better Bus Stop Amenities
You told us you want more shelters, benches, and lighting.

Walking to the Bus Stop
You told us that sidewalks and crosswalks need to be improved for the safety and convenience of bus riders.

MDOT MTA is also analyzing:

Average Bus Speed
How fast or slow is transit compared to other traffic? Traffic congestion and closely spaced stops can slow buses

Dwell Time
How long does it take buses to serve their stops? Re-entering travel lanes after passengers board and alight takes longer at some stops than others.

Ridership
How many people are using the bus? Which stops are most heavily used? Are there stops that people aren’t using at all?

What Improvements Is MDOT MTA Considering?

MDOT MTA has a Transit Priority Toolkit which describes a range of ways that bus service can be improved and our streets made safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. MDOT MTA will consider which of these tools would be right for Garrison Boulevard and would improve bus service.

Comment and Participate

During June 2022, MDOT MTA visited four locations in the corridor to speak with community members. An in-person open house at the Walbrook Library and a virtual open house followed in December 2022. At these events, we heard from transit riders about locations about bus speed and frequency, pedestrian accommodations, lighting, and other considerations for the corridor. If you didn't get a chance to speak with us during those events, you can still email transitpriority@mdot.maryland.gov with any comments or questions about this project.

Project Schedule

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Project Schedule for Fall 2022
Fall 2019

MDOT MTA initiated the project with field outreach and a public meeting. Click here to see the information presented at that meeting.

Spring 2022

MDOT MTA reintroduced the project to the public.

Summer 2022

Based on what we heard from you and our studies of how the buses are working (speed, reliability, and travel time) MDOT MTA developed concept designs for improvements at key locations on Garrison Boulevard.

Fall 2022

MDOT MTA presented the concept designs to the public for feedback at an Open House. Click here to see the concepts, which will be further reviewed and revised based on what we heard.

Following these steps, MDOT MTA will revise the concept designs and prepare final designs. Ultimately, MDOT MTA will apply for funding to implement the improvements.

Resources