Nearly $1.45 Billion In Spending Approved By MD State Board Of Public Works

By FOX45
Posted on 12/19/24 | News Source: FOX45

Baltimore, MD -  Dec. 19, 2024 - Maryland's Board of Public Works, along with Governor Wes Moore and other state officials, approved nearly $1.45 Billion in spending towards almost 100 projects and initiatives throughout the state.

The 93 items approved for funding (according to an official statement) include:

• Grant agreements for 3 recipients for 3 projects located in 2 counties and Baltimore City with a total value of $1,739,580
• 9 items awarding $79,440,525.61 to prime certified small business primes
• 4 items awarding $70,584,226.00 to certified minority business enterprise primes
• 2 items awarding $1,239,008.55 to Employment Works Program providers
• 11 items awarded with established participation goals for minority business enterprises
• 4 items awarded with established participation goals for veteran-owned small business enterprises

Additionally, Maryland Transit Administration made a $100 million contract request regarding the Purple Line Project, though Comptroller Brooke Lierman voted against the proposal, citing funding cuts to other transportation projects. The proposal passed by a vote of 2-1.

"This is a small contract in the grand scheme of things, but I’m greatly concerned about MDOT's [Maryland Department of Transportation’s] ability to accurately forecast the future funding needs and the resulting impact on transit services throughout the state,” Comptroller Lierman said. “To be clear, this means cuts to rail that serve the entire State of Maryland: to MARC, Light Rail, the subway, so people throughout the state are affected by the project deferrals.”

Lierman also cited other issues she sees with the department on multiple topics, including with freight lines on the Eastern Shore, in her statement.