MDOT Secretary Announces Resignation

Beverley Swaim-Staley announced this afternoon that she will resign as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportationl, effective July 1.  Although her announcement does not mention bike-ped issues, she actually attended MBPAC meetings, including an all-day retreat, when she was Deputy Secretary.  And she regularly brought up the need to push safe routes to school in PG County, which has not been participating up to that point. 

After 25 years of State service, I have decided that it is time to step down as Secretary of Transportation.  I have informed Governor O’Malley of my decision and agreed to stay on through the end of this fiscal year to allow for an orderly transition. ...

...Together, we have accomplished so much.  The progress we can point to is evident throughout the Department.  We see innovative public private partnerships in place at the Port of Baltimore and at the MDTA; a stronger MBE program; technology driven customer service enhancements at MVA; an ICC that is open and performing as expected; a more reliable MARC commuter rail system; and, a safer Metro system and a more efficient governing body at WMATA.  All this on top of record breaking performances at BWI Marshall Airport and the Port of Baltimore, even in a challenging economy.

(Jim Titus represents Prince Georges County on the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee)

Comments

[Greenbelt]

Maryland motto -- spending billions on infrastructure for the wrong future.

[T1]

She doesn't mention biking, but she mentions MARC and Metro? Wow. She presided over the "Hell Train" and during Wmata's accident. Her "successes" seem to more closely mirror 2005 initiatives. I don't really think she much for us. Attending meetings and doing something are two entirely different things. For a so-called green administration, it's ironic to see so little investment in cycling by O'Malley.

[Michael H.]

Well, CaBi IS coming to Maryland, possibly this year and most likely by summer 2013. Montgomery Co., College Park and Baltimore City received state grants to implement bikeshare plans. Other jurisdictions will receive grants to study the feasibility of bikeshare.

http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/News/2012/May%202012/GOVERNOR%20OMALLEY%20ANNOUNCES%20BIKESHARE%20GRANTS

[Michael H.]

Prince George's and Greenbelt are among the jurisdictions receiving grants to study bikesharing.

[Jim T]

Indeed her letter did emphasize what was harvested over what was sewn during her watch.

She has the misfortune of running MDOT during the worst economic depressio since the Great Depression. Yet she did launch the Bikeways program which will provide a significant state match to trails and other bike infrastructure. And she over-ruled SHA's original decision to not approve the R4-11 sign after cyclists sent a few hundred emails. Perhaps most importantly, the Purple and Red line projects continued to advance.

[T1]

Jim, How is supporting the Purple Line trail helping cyclists? It shuts down the beloved CCT. C'mon.

[Crickey7]

If by "shutting down", you mean "connecting two major urban centers by bike, improving the path and eliminating a perilous and inconvenient bike crossing of Connecticut Avenue," then we totally agree.

[Jim T]

That's one reason why WABA, PG-BTAG, and MBPAC all supported the light rail option (MoBike was officially neutral) for the Purple Line. Another reason is that MTA allows people to bring bikes aboard light rail trains.

Former Secretary Flanagain nixed most of the ICC trail, even including several segments that would have been cost-effective. Former Secretary Pocari vetoed connection of the Henson Creek trail under the beltway to Branch Avenue. Neither created a bikeways program with state funding.

[UGG Sko]

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