The following article was submitted by District 6 Delegate Bob Long about the Red Line and concerns if it expands into eastern Baltimore County.
Governor Wes Moore announced that he is restarting the Red Line project that would run from east to west Baltimore. We were fortunate that Governor Larry Hogan put the brakes on this wasteful project for eight years, but now we need to keep an eye on it.
The plans currently call for the Red Line to end around the Bayview area, but I have concerns that the project could expand into the County and our District. The original proposal before Governor Hogan took office had the train going out to Middle River. Luckily those plans were scrapped.
Now our County Executive is calling to expand the Red Line down to Sparrows Point. I am totally against that proposal. The idea is to provide transit for workers of Tradepoint Atlantic. We already have the #163 Bus that transports workers from the westside to Sparrows Point.
I am assuming the tracks under that County Executive’s plan would travel into Dundalk and Sparrows Point to get to Trade Point Atlantic.
We do not need to disrupt the communities of Dundalk and Sparrows Point or any areas that would be affected by the traffic and infrastructural nightmare of the construction of a light rail.
Again, there is no current plan to expand into Eastern Baltimore County, but we need to remain vigilant since our County Executive is adamant about bringing the light rail into Dundalk/Sparrows Point.
If you are concerned about this project, there is a meeting about the Red Line on August 1st at Hampstead Hill Academy located at 500 S. Linwood Avenue from 3 to 7 p.m., feel free to attend. We will keep an eye on the Red Line and will keep it out of Eastern Baltimore County.
