Latest news with #MarylandDepartmentofTransportation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Maryland emissions testing fee increasing from $14 to $30 on July 1
Vehicle emissions inspection costs in Maryland are slated to increase from $14 to $30 on July 1, part of a package of higher taxes and fees passed by the General Assembly as lawmakers sought to offset a deep budget deficit. The Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program, also known as VEIP, requires vehicle owners to undergo emissions testing every two years to reduce air pollution, according to the state's Motor Vehicle Administration. Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said earlier this year that the VEIP fee has not increased since 1997. The funds raised will increase revenue to the transportation trust fund, which has funded the Maryland Department of Transportation since its creation in 1971. The extra revenue will go towards major transportation projects, such as improving I-81 and U.S. 15, state officials said. 'Democrats in Annapolis continue to punish drivers with gas vehicles,' Republican Del. Ryan Nawrocki said in a post on Facebook, pointing to the higher emissions inspection fee. Next week, the Maryland Board of Public Works is expected to approve a new contract for Envirotest Corp. to manage the VEIP stations and self-service kiosks in 13 of the states 23 counties and Baltimore City, according to the meeting agenda. Have a news tip? Contact Irit Skulnik at iskulnik@ or on X as @irit_skulnik
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Thousands of Marylanders expected to drive for Memorial Day weekend, MDOT says
MARYLAND () — As thousands of Marylanders get ready to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, officials are urging drivers to stay alert and drive safely. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), thousands of residents are expected to travel more than 50 miles away from home during the holiday weekend. This means that traffic could be heavy toward the Eastern Shore beaches on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and on Monday, Memorial Day. According to AAA, 45.1 million people will travel for the holiday weekend. This is a 1.4 million increase in travelers compared to 2024. The company added that most travelers will drive, while 3.6 million plan to fly. The rest will reach their destinations by train, bus or boat, according to AAA. Memorial Day celebrations in DC, Maryland, Virginia 'Summertime is when many Marylanders explore our state's beauty and create life-long memories,' said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. 'Historically, the summer months are also when we see an increase in deadly crashes across the state. Help us save lives this summer. I urge everyone to join the Department in being Serious About Safety and practicing safe driving – buckle up, slow down, pay attention and drive sober. Together we can bend the curve on roadway fatalities and work towards Maryland's goal of zero deaths.' The department noted that in 2024, more than 575 people lost their lives on roads across Maryland. So far this year, there have already been 150 deaths. MDOT encourages Marylanders to stay focused, slow down, drive sober, move over for any stopped cars and to stay prepared. During the holiday weekend, all major lane closures for non-emergency roadwork will be suspended from 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27. All Marylanders planning to fly from the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport should arrive for their flights early to allow time for check-in and security checkpoints. Can you fly without a REAL ID after the May deadline? MDOT said over 340,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday and Monday. All drivers should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roads open for first responders and residents. The department added that all drivers can expect delays in both directions at the Bay Bridge and along US 50 when traveling through peak hours. MDOT said the best time to travel across the Bay Bridge during the holiday include: Eastbound Thursday, May 22 – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Friday, May 23 – before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Saturday, May 24 – before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Sunday, May 25 – before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Memorial Day Monday, May 26 – before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 – before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Westbound Thursday, May 22 – before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Friday, May 23 – before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Sunday, May 25 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Memorial Day Monday, May 26 – before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 – before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Yes. On Monday, May 24, the Maryland Transit Administration will run, but on a modified schedule. All CityLink and LocalLink buses, Light RailLink and MetroSubway will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. The Commuter Bus will operate Bus Route 201 on a Weekend/Holiday 'S' schedule. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Western Maryland in recovery mode from overnight flash flooding due to heavy rain
LONACONING, Md. () — Western Marylanders are in recovery mode after waking up Wednesday morning to the aftermath of floods and heavy rain. Washington County authorities from cascading waters. Over in Allegany County, fire and rescue personnel were busy helping stranded drivers and people trapped in their homes from the floods. Maryland Department of Transportation crews have been on the scene all day to make roads passable. Officials: People trapped amid flash flooding in Allegany County Two elementary schools had to be on Tuesday due to flooding. As a result, all Allegany County Public Schools were on Wednesday. 'It did turn out to be a disaster,' Terry Beeman, a school custodian, said. 'But if people just paid attention and used their heads a bit, stayed away from it and out of it, they was out of danger. Once you got to Westernport, then it got ugly. It was massive amounts of water down there.' With more rain in the forecast, emergency personnel urge residents in those western Maryland counties to take precautions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
States navigate roadblocks around building new EV charging stations
Electric vehicles are growing in popularity, but finding a place to charge them can still be difficult depending on where people live. States are trying to build out their EV infrastructure but have faced some roadblocks in accelerating the transition. A Pew Research Center survey from 2024 found an estimated 6 in 10 urban residents live within a mile of a public charging station, but that number drops to around 41% of suburban dwellers and just 17% of rural Americans. "At the end of the day, we have more work to do to make sure that more and more folks feel comfortable and confident when they're driving their electric vehicles," said Joe McAndrew, an assistant secretary at the Maryland Department of Transportation. Maryland ranks in the top 10 of the most EV-friendly states, according to a 2023 survey by iSeeCars, with Vermont, California, Massachusetts and Colorado leading the list, which ranked cities based on residents per EV charger. The bipartisan infrastructure law passed under the Biden administration in 2021 provided around $7.5 billion to build high-speed chargers at least every 50 miles through a new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program known as NEVI. However, it's taken years to get construction going for many states. Maryland is set to break ground on Phase 1 of its NEVI projects in the coming weeks, including around 120 fast-charging ports at 22 locations on the most frequented roadways. "We were being asked for the first time ever to learn and grow and build an EV infrastructure," McAndrew said about the delay, saying it took time at the state and federal level to get teams and strategies in place. However, future phases of NEVI projects nationwide are on hold, as the Trump administration's Transportation Department and Federal Highway Administration reevaluate the program, which requires Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to approve plans for each state. State Transportation departments received a letter in February stating no new obligations will occur during the pause, though reimbursement of existing obligations will continue. "In the three and a half years since the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, approximately 84 percent of the NEVI Formula Program funds remain unobligated – a clear indicator that the program needs major reform," the Department of Transportation told CBS News in a statement. "FHWA is working to fix the NEVI Formula Program Guidance to address the backlog and align with this administration's priorities of safety, efficiency, and innovation," the statement continued, referring to the highway agency. McAndrew expressed optimism the program will continue to move forward, noting state leaders are committed to continued progress on efforts to expand the EV charging network. "It might slow us down, but we're also pretty confident that the funds will show up," McAndrew said. "The U.S. Department of Transportation hasn't pulled back funds. They're ultimately reevaluating the regulations with which we use those funds." Meanwhile, EV advocacy groups say an even larger challenge remains: addressing a lack of charging capability within multifamily housing, especially within older apartment and condo buildings. "The highway infrastructure, I think, is going to be really good; still building and the private sector is doing a great job with that," said Andy Fraser, a board member with the national Electric Vehicle Association. "I think the challenge is people who don't have the luxury of being able to charge in their own home." Fraser pushed his community in Montgomery County, Maryland, to create a policy for permitting home chargers on public rights of way, since his home does not have a driveway or garage. He paved the way for chargers to be placed on public sidewalks in front of an individual's home so he could make use of one at his home. "How can we be a green county if we don't even allow people to charge on the street? So that was my argument and it happened," Fraser said of the change enacted five years ago. Fraser also had to recircuit and upgrade his home's older electrical box to accommodate the charger. Still, he feels the effort was well worth it and has already paid for itself in savings on gasoline and maintenance. "There's no going back right now. All the manufacturers are committed to EVs, but the faster we get there, the better it is for the planet," he said. California, the state with the largest number of EV drivers, aims to improve the situation at new multifamily housing sites through its new building code set to take effect in January 2026. It will require new multifamily housing projects to provide at least one Level 2 EV charging receptacle at a parking space for each unit and will also require chargers for residents and guests in 25% of common-use parking spaces. Nationally, state leaders say public-private partnerships will be key to tackling the problem. "At the end of the day," said McAndrew, "we have more work to do to make sure that more and more folks feel comfortable and confident when they're driving their electric vehicles." Russian foreign minister on latest Kyiv strikes: "We only target military goals" Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates Russia launches more attacks on Ukraine after President Trump issues rare rebuke to Putin
CBS News
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
As demand for EV charging stations grows, states navigate roadblocks around building new infrastructure
Electric vehicles are growing in popularity, but finding a place to charge them can still be difficult depending on where people live. States are trying to build out their EV infrastructure but have faced some roadblocks in accelerating the transition. A Pew Research Center survey from 2024 found an estimated 6 in 10 urban residents live within a mile of a public charging station, but that number drops to around 41% of suburban dwellers and just 17% of rural Americans. "At the end of the day, we have more work to do to make sure that more and more folks feel comfortable and confident when they're driving their electric vehicles," said Joe McAndrew, an assistant secretary at the Maryland Department of Transportation. Maryland ranks in the top 10 of the most EV-friendly states, according to a 2023 survey by iSeeCars, with Vermont, California, Massachusetts and Colorado leading the list, which ranked cities based on residents per EV charger. The bipartisan infrastructure law passed under the Biden administration in 2021 provided around $7.5 billion to build high-speed chargers at least every 50 miles through a new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program known as NEVI. However, it's taken years to get construction going for many states. Maryland is set to break ground on Phase 1 of its NEVI projects in the coming weeks, including around 120 fast-charging ports at 22 locations on the most frequented roadways. "We were being asked for the first time ever to learn and grow and build an EV infrastructure," McAndrew said about the delay, saying it took time at the state and federal level to get teams and strategies in place. However, future phases of NEVI projects nationwide are on hold, as the Trump administration's Transportation Department and Federal Highway Administration reevaluate the program, which requires Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to approve plans for each state. State Transportation departments received a letter in February stating no new obligations will occur during the pause, though reimbursement of existing obligations will continue. "In the three and a half years since the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, approximately 84 percent of the NEVI Formula Program funds remain unobligated – a clear indicator that the program needs major reform," the Department of Transportation told CBS News in a statement. "FHWA is working to fix the NEVI Formula Program Guidance to address the backlog and align with this administration's priorities of safety, efficiency, and innovation," the statement continued, referring to the highway agency. McAndrew expressed optimism the program will continue to move forward, noting state leaders are committed to continued progress on efforts to expand the EV charging network. "It might slow us down, but we're also pretty confident that the funds will show up," McAndrew said. "The U.S. Department of Transportation hasn't pulled back funds. They're ultimately reevaluating the regulations with which we use those funds." Meanwhile, EV advocacy groups say an even larger challenge remains: addressing a lack of charging capability within multifamily housing, especially within older apartment and condo buildings. "The highway infrastructure, I think, is going to be really good; still building and the private sector is doing a great job with that," said Andy Fraser, a board member with the national Electric Vehicle Association. "I think the challenge is people who don't have the luxury of being able to charge in their own home." Fraser pushed his community in Montgomery County, Maryland, to create a policy for permitting home chargers on public rights of way, since his home does not have a driveway or garage. He paved the way for chargers to be placed on public sidewalks in front of an individual's home so he could make use of one at his home. "How can we be a green county if we don't even allow people to charge on the street? So that was my argument and it happened," Fraser said of the change enacted five years ago. Fraser also had to recircuit and upgrade his home's older electrical box to accommodate the charger. Still, he feels the effort was well worth it and has already paid for itself in savings on gasoline and maintenance. "There's no going back right now. All the manufacturers are committed to EVs, but the faster we get there, the better it is for the planet," he said. California, the state with the largest number of EV drivers, aims to improve the situation at new multifamily housing sites through its new building code set to take effect in January 2026. It will require new multifamily housing projects to provide at least one Level 2 EV charging receptacle at a parking space for each unit and will also require chargers for residents and guests in 25% of common-use parking spaces. Nationally, state leaders say public-private partnerships will be key to tackling the problem. "At the end of the day," said McAndrew, "we have more work to do to make sure that more and more folks feel comfortable and confident when they're driving their electric vehicles." contributed to this report.
