Politics
Baltimore 7-2 Capital Plan Directs Funds to Sidewalks and East Sanitation Complex
The six-year plan and related transit strategy allocate resources for sidewalk work, waste facilities, pothole repairs and new housing near stations that serve daily commutes and services for Baltimore residents.
How we reported this
Baltimore has introduced a six-year capital improvement plan known as the 7-2 Capital Plan that sets aside $30 million for sidewalk upgrades and ADA compliance along with $60 million for a new East Sanitation Complex. The plan also includes resources for new public pools and affordable housing, with most projects scheduled for completion by 2027.
These measures follow a 15-year state funding shortfall that left nearly $1 billion in road and bridge maintenance unaddressed. FY2026 Highway User Revenue allocations reached $94.1 million, the largest investment in two decades. The Baltimore City Department of Transportation is running a Spring Sprint initiative to fill 25,000 potholes and resurface 25 lane miles, with a target of resurfacing 90.5 lane miles through 88 projects in FY2027.
Transit-oriented development strategy
Governor Wes Moore has introduced a $1.4 billion Baltimore Region Transit-Oriented Development Strategy to redevelop 134 acres of state-owned land near transit stations. The effort aims to produce approximately 5,000 housing units and 6 million square feet of commercial space. The state is advancing the Rogers Avenue Metro Station development as the first such project, having issued a Request for Qualifications for a joint development partner, with construction expected after a 2-3 year planning phase.
For residents, the sidewalk and ADA allocations are intended to improve pedestrian access on local streets. The new East Sanitation Complex is projected to support waste collection operations. The Spring Sprint work targets street conditions that affect daily driving and bus routes. The transit-oriented projects are expected to add housing and commercial space near existing stations, which could influence commuting options and nearby services.
City transportation officials have stated that the combined road resurfacing and transit development steps address maintenance needs that accumulated over the prior funding period. The government says the policies will direct resources to projects that touch street maintenance, waste services and housing supply in neighborhoods served by the affected stations and facilities.