Maryland leaders optimistic about future of Southern Maryland Rapid Transit project

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (7News) — After successfully preventing the state of Maryland from cutting its budget, local leaders said they’re optimistic about the future of the possible Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) project, which would connect portions of Charles and Prince George’s counties with the Metro Green Line.

Amid a difficult budget period for the state, local leaders expressed dismay last year after learning the Maryland DOT was considering cutting the amount of money the SMRT was expected to receive.

“All the legislators of Prince George’s and Charles counties said absolutely not,” said Maryland State Senator Arthur Ellis (D – Charles County). “That’s an essential project for us.”

ALSO READ | Angela Alsobrooks reflects on Senate transition challenges and surprises

Ellis said not only were Charles and Prince George’s officials able to stave off cuts, but the latest budget language also includes a key word that was not included in the past.

“‘To develop and construct the Maryland Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Corridor,’” Ellis said as he read from the budget. “So that word is in there: construction.”

But what would be constructed? Although local leaders in Charles and Prince George’s favor light rail, the state will also study whether bus rapid transit is a better alternative.

“A preferred alternative has not been determined at this time but will be determined as part of the ongoing environmental process,” read a statement from MDOT.

MDOT said money approved by Governor Wes Moore and the General Assembly matches money devoted to the project by the federal government, and allows the Maryland Transit Administration to move forward with a study as well as a project review required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

“That shows tremendous progress. Ten years ago, even the thought of that was not even on anyone’s radar,” said Reuben B. Collins II, the President of the Charles County Board of Commissioners. “We’re talking, critically, about those next steps. The county is actually moving forward with the process.”

Although some fear that, given the many problems the state has had building the future Maryland Purple Line, state leaders may be hesitant to support light rail again, Collins and Ellis said there are several reasons for optimism. They consider Governor Wes Moore a big supporter of rail, and they said that because the route is already known, light rail would be far easier to build for SMRT than for the Purple Line.

“The unique thing about Southern Maryland Rapid Transit is the alignment is pretty much in place,” Collins said, pointing out that SMRT would largely parallel CSX railroad tracks that already exist in Charles County, and then largely run along Route 5 in Prince George’s County, which was modified with light rail in mind. It contains a large median that would provide room for rail.

Collins said a January executive order from President Trump requiring many federal employees to again commute five days a week has led to a noticeable increase in traffic in Charles County.

“We’re seeing increased congestion as a result of that. That makes Southern Maryland Rapid Transit even more critical to the future,” he said.

“With 75 percent of working adults going toward Washington, D.C. every day, the traffic is worse now than ever,” added Ellis.

With many steps still to go, it is too early to give a date as to when construction on either light rail or bus rapid transit could begin, but Ellis and Collins both expressed optimism that the project will become a reality, and that it will be light rail.