FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kirk Bus Division and Penn North Metro Subway Elevator Improvements
Recognized at MdQI Annual Conference
BALTIMORE, MD (May 25, 2022) – Led by recognition of its Kirk Bus Division Modernization project, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) won two Maryland Quality Initiatives (MdQI) Awards of Excellence at the organization’s 29th annual conference, held May 25-26 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The MdQI awards recognize quality, collaboration and innovation in the areas of transportation planning studies, programs and projects.
“We are truly honored to be recognized by leaders in the transportation industry for our hard work and commitment to improving infrastructure that supports the transit network in Baltimore,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold. “These projects demonstrate the agency’s commitment to maintaining a state of good repair and improving our riders transit experience.”
In the category of Projects Over $5 Million, MDOT MTA received an award for the second phase of its Kirk Bus Division Modernization project. The Kirk Avenue project replaced original buildings constructed nearly 75 years ago, in 1947. The fully enclosed Transportation and Storage building houses approximately 175 MTA buses and has reduced noise, bus emissions and vehicle visibility to the surrounding community.
In the category of Projects Under $5 Million, MDOT MTA won an award for improvements to the Penn North Metro Station as part of the North Avenue Rising project. The project rehabilitated two hydraulic elevators at the station: Elevator 1, which operates from street level to the mezzanine level; and Elevator 2, which serves the platform level and mezzanine level. Electrical upgrades were installed, and additional lighting was erected throughout the station.
Beyond the enhancements to Penn North Metro Station, the North Avenue Rising project has made improvements throughout a five-mile corridor, including dedicated bus lanes supported by transit signal priority, bike facilities, enhancements to Light RailLink and Metro SubwayLink stations, improvements at major bus stops and sidewalks, streetscaping and roadway repaving.
The MDOT MTA honors were among 14 awards received by MDOT agencies at the MdQI conference. MDOT State Highway Administration won five awards, the MDOT Maryland Aviation Administration, MDOT Maryland Port Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority each received two awards and the MDOT Secretary’s Office captured one award.
MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates LocalLink and commuter buses, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train service and a comprehensive Mobility (paratransit) system. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. As a participating agency in APTA’s Health and Safety Commitment Program, MDOT MTA is dedicated to keeping our employees and passengers safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
[email protected]
Veronica Battisti
Office: 410-767-8748
Cell: 410-598-4168
[email protected]
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