MTA Addresses Concerns Over Proposed Light Rail Bridge

A Maryland Transit Administration spokesman has admitted that there was a breakdown in communication with community members over plans to construct a bridge connecting a light rail platform to a Lutherville neighborhood.

“There has been some public outreach, but we acknowledge that more needs to be done,” said Terry Owens, an MTA spokesman. “To that end, we’re scheduled to meet the community association on June 20, where we’ll have a chance to share more details about the project and begin to get some input from the community.”

Lutherville Community Association members were made aware of , although the idea for the bridge goes back to 2010. The bridge would connect the Lutherville light rail platform to Greenspring Drive in the County Club Park neighborhood.

Community stakeholders met again last week to gauge the interest of the bridge. Community leader Eric Rockel said that while the committee continues to vet opinions of the bridge, those who attended the meeting felt “overwhelmingly negative” about it.

MTA conducted the feasibility study for the bridge in 2010, while pursuing a federal grant that would allow them to move forward with the plans. Stakeholders were approached after they learned about the grant, according to Owens. 

“The station is currently accessible by a manmade dirt path that does not comply [Americans with Disabilities Act] guidelines and, at some point, it’s going to have to be addressed,” Owens said. 

MTA has since dropped pursuing the grant.