Consolidated Transportation Program and the Transportation Priorities Letter
Every year Howard County updates the County’s list of transportation priorities for the Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Consolidated Transportation Program. The list, also known as the Transportation Priorities Letter, is developed based on input from the public, county staff as well as elected and appointed officials. The update is sent to the Maryland Secretary of Transportation, along with project questionnaires.
Following receipt of the letter and the scores, the Maryland Department of Transportation evaluates the projects in the letter to assist the state in updating the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) a six-year capital budget for State transportation projects. The CTP includes capital projects that are generally new, expanded or significantly improved facility or service that may involve planning, environmental studies, design, right-of-way acquisition, construction or the purchase of essential equipment related to the facility or service.
FY 2027-2032 Consolidated Transportation Program and Transportation Priorities Letter
The Transportation Priorities Open House and accompanying survey were included in the third annual Transportation Open House. To review the materials presented at the open house, held on March 3, 2026.
This year, Howard County participated in a new, streamlined submission of the County's transportation priorities. Instead of the traditional narrative format, Howard County was asked to rank projects in several categories, including an overall ranking of the top five projects, and elaborate on the overall policies and planning that guides the county. Howard County's Transportation Priorities Letter summarizing this submission for FY2027-2032 can be viewed online.
On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will hold its annual Howard County Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) Tour Meeting to share its draft CTP. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and take place in the George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, in addition to being livestreamed via the "Watch Us" function of the Howard County Council's website.
A recording and accompanying presentation will be posted on this webpage once it is available after the meeting.
Previous Priority Letters
FY 2026-2031 Signed Priority Letter
In January 2025, the County hosted its second annual Transportation Open House to solicit feedback and comment on the county's overall transportation priorities, approaches to solving common transportation challenges, and specific projects.
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) held its annual Howard County Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) Tour Meeting to share its draft CTP. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. and took place in the County’s George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, in addition to being livestreamed.
During the tour meeting, MDOT discussed projects and funding across the full range of activities in the county and the state by the Maryland Aviation Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Maryland State Highway Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority. The CTP is updated every year, based on local priorities expressed in the annual priority letter, local and regional planning efforts, and funding forecasts.
FY 2025-2030 Signed Priority Letter
In January 2024, the County hosted its first annual Transportation Open House to solicit feedback and comment on the county's overall transportation priorities, approaches to solving common transportation challenges, and specific projects.
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) held its annual Howard County Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) Tour Meeting to share its draft CTP. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. and took place in the County’s George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, in addition to being livestreamed.
During the tour meeting, MDOT discussed projects and funding across the full range of activities in the county and the state by the Maryland Aviation Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Maryland State Highway Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority. The CTP is updated every year, based on local priorities expressed in the annual priority letter, local and regional planning efforts, and funding forecasts.
FY 2024-2029 Signed Priority Letter
Public Meeting Materials
On Wednesday, October 30, 2023, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) held its annual Howard County Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) Tour Meeting to share its draft CTP. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. and took place in the County’s George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, in addition to being livestreamed.
During the tour meeting, MDOT discussed projects and funding across the full range of activities in the county and the state by the Maryland Aviation Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Maryland State Highway Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority. The CTP is updated every year, based on local priorities expressed in the annual priority letter, local and regional planning efforts, and funding forecasts.
FY 2021-2026 Signed Priority Letter
Public meeting materials
- FY 2021-2026 Tour Meeting Video
- February 20, 2020 Public Input Meeting Presentation
- FY 2021-2026 Projects in Thank you for Funding
- FY 2021-2026 Projects in Design & Engineering
- FY 2021-2026 Projects in Capital & Construction
- FY 2021-2026 Projects in Request for Technical Assistance
- FY 2021-2026 Accompanied countywide map
FY 2020-2025 Signed Priority Letter
Public meeting materials
FY 2017-2022 Signed Priority Letter
Public Meeting Materials