edited by Shannon Rogers
Draft Consolidated Transportation Program Focuses on Local Corridors
Maryland state transportation leaders met with local officials in Carroll County on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to outline the Moore-Miller Administration’s Draft Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2027 to 2032. The six-year, $21.9 billion capital spending plan details major infrastructure investments designed to improve motorist and pedestrian safety, maintain existing state roadways, and support regional economic growth.
During the regional tour stop, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Katie Thomson and State Highway Administrator Will Pines sat down with county leadership to discuss how state transit and highway funding will directly benefit Carroll County communities over the next six years.
Westminster and Sykesville Projects Highlight State Highway Investments
Among the key Carroll County priorities addressed during the presentation, State Highway Administrator Will Pines highlighted active construction and upcoming safety initiatives along critical county arteries, notably Route 27 in Westminster and Route 32 in Sykesville.
In Westminster, state highway crews are scheduled to wrap up construction this fall on a new shared-use path along MD 27 (Manchester Road / Liberty Street). The project provides dedicated multimodal facilities connecting pedestrians and cyclists between local neighborhoods, commercial centers, and downtown amenities. Combined with ongoing roadway resurfacing, the path aims to provide a safer corridor for non-motorized travel.
Further south in Sykesville, state officials confirmed that a $3.5 million safety and mobility project along MD 32 is steadily advancing within the CTP. The project focuses on improving traffic operations and pedestrian connectivity from 2nd Street to Main Street, addressing access management and pedestrian crossings in the historic downtown business district. Construction on the Sykesville corridor is anticipated to begin in Fiscal Year 2029.
Statewide Framework and Local Coordination
The six-year Draft CTP outlines capital expenditures across each transportation business unit funded by Maryland’s Transportation Trust Fund, including the State Highway Administration (SHA), Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), and Maryland Port Administration (MPA).
According to MDOT, the annual transportation tour serves as a vital platform for county commissioners, municipal leaders, and local residents to offer feedback on local infrastructure priorities before final state budget requests are formalized. Carroll County officials regularly utilize these discussions to advocate for bridge preservation, intersection safety enhancements, and capacity improvements along high-volume commuter routes such as MD 140, MD 26, and MD 32.
“Maintaining a safe and modern transportation system requires close partnership between state agencies and local governments,” state transportation officials noted during the presentation, emphasizing that local input gathered during the autumn tour plays a significant role in refining the state’s infrastructure roadmap.
Next Steps for Maryland’s Transportation Budget
Following the conclusion of MDOT’s statewide tour across all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City in late October, the department will review comments received from local jurisdictions and the public. State planners will then assemble the Final Fiscal Years 2027–2032 Consolidated Transportation Program.
The final capital budget document will be officially submitted to the Maryland General Assembly in January for review and legislative consideration during the 2027 General Assembly session in Annapolis. Carroll County residents and stakeholders can track project milestones and review full documentation through the Maryland Department of Transportation official portal.
