BALTIMORE — Maryland will receive more than $21 million from four federal infrastructure grants.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that $1.8 billion in awards from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program will go toward 148 projects across the country. Click here to read the full article.

Project Description: This project will evaluate the feasibility of a multimodal Ground Transportation Center (GTC) at the airport terminal core, as well as an Automated People Mover (APM) connecting on and off-airport functions. The project includes stakeholder engagement, identifying, refining and evaluation of concepts, a funding plan, and implementation steps. Project Benefits: The project will study how to improve the airport’s multi-modal ground transportation access safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The study will provide recommendation for the airport’s decarbonization such as modal shifts and the increased use of electric vehicles. This planning will focus on how to reduce vehicle miles traveled in the project area as well as how to create green energy power sources for the airport. The project will implement transit-oriented development that helps existing residents and businesses, low-income and underserved communities, and minimizes displacement. The project will improve system-wise connectivity with access to transit, as well as micro-mobility and mobility on-demand for employees and airport travelers.

Click here to read the complete Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program 

New Parking Rates at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Effective July 1, 2024;

First Rate Increase Since 2009

Added Revenue to Support Parking Enhancements

Public parking rates will change at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, effective July 1, 2024. The following chart highlights the changes.

The new parking rates will apply to vehicles entering BWI Marshall Airport facilities on or after July 1, 2024. Vehicles parked before July 1 will pay the current rates. The change will be the first parking rate increase at BWI Marshall Airport since 2009. Parking rates at BWI Marshall will remain very competitive with major U.S. airports.

“This change will support the significant investment and innovative projects that are improving the airport experience for our valued customers,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of BWI Marshall Airport. “We continue to offer convenient and affordable parking options. These capital improvements will help ensure BWI Marshall remains a world-class airport.”

The additional revenue generated by the rate changes will be used to support numerous improvements for BWI Marshall’s parking service. A new guidance system is being installed in the Hourly Garage to ease customer navigation to available spaces. Eight new electric buses are being added to the airport’s parking shuttle fleet. Lighting improvements are being installed along the terminal roadway system. An airport parking reservation system is being developed. The new rates are also intended to help free up spaces in the Hourly Garage for short-term use by customers meeting or dropping-off passengers.

BWI Marshall Airport offers about 25,000 parking spaces for travelers in the Long-Term Parking lots, Express Parking lot, Daily Garage and Hourly Garage. The nearby BWI Rail Station garage, operated by the Maryland Transit Administration, includes 3,187 public parking spaces. Free shuttle service is available between the rail station garage and the BWI Marshall Airport terminal.

The Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) will host two public workshops on April 3rd to provide information on several proposed improvement projects at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The public workshops will share information and invite public comments related to proposed improvements evaluated in a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) process, including a new airport air traffic control tower, a hotel in the main terminal area, and obstruction removal. The improvements reviewed in the EA are needed to address outdated tower facilities, federal airspace protection standards, and provide improved traveler amenities in the terminal.

The two public workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Both workshops will be held in the MAA facility located at 7005 Aviation Blvd, Glen Burnie, MD 21061.

Representatives from the MAA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the project team will be available at the workshops to answer questions from the public. Written comments from the public may be submitted during and after the workshops.

The Draft EA is available for review online at:

https://marylandaviation.com/environmental/environmental-planning/.

Hard copies of the EA document are available for review through April 15, 2024 at several local library branches, along with MAA and FAA offices.

Statement from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Executive Director/CEO Ricky Smith

As part of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Economic Opportunity and Policy Forum last week, I officially signed the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) Pledge. By signing this document on behalf of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, I am proud to join other airports and other transportation industry leaders in working to create more contracting opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses.

As a national initiative, the EIP was created to provide greater access to prime, joint venture, and equity contracting opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). The EIP is working with public sector agencies, engineering consultancies, and professional organizations to enhance contracting processes for disadvantaged businesses.

The Pledge underscores our commitment at BWI Marshall Airport to proactive actions that will foster opportunity, create jobs, and help build generational wealth for these HUBs. The signing ceremony last week was an important milestone that marked our dedication to grow the share of major infrastructure contracts awarded to small and disadvantaged businesses.