Photo by the author.

Today, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed the transportation funding bill that passed the legislature this year. The governor also announced a list of projects that would get some of the money, including MARC expansion and studies for the Purple Line and Baltimore Red Line.

The tax will start this summer, and will help fund transportation projects across the state. The increased tax was a key part of O’Malley’s 2013 legislative agenda, and is expected to generate $800 million more for transportation each year.

After the governor signed the bill, his office released a list of “first round” projects that will get some of the increased revenues. This list totals $1.2 billion, but over the first 6 years, the tax should generate $4.4 billion.

Of the $1.2 billion, $650 million (54%) will go to transit. However, a large portion of that funds studies rather than actual construction. Money will go to MARC to add weekend service on the Penn Line and 2 new weekday roundtrips on the Camden Line, and to purchase new locomotives.

Here is the full list.

Transit projects:

$100 million for MARC enhancements, including Penn Line weekend service, 2 new Camden Line weekday roundtrips, and new locomotives.

$280 million for final design for the Purple Line.

$170 million for final design for the Red Line in Baltimore.

$100 million for final design for the Corridor Cities Transitway in Montgomery County.

Road projects:

$125 million for construction of an interchange between I-270 and Watkins Mill Road in Montgomery County.

$100 million for construction of an interchange at Kerby Hill Road and Indian Head Highway in Prince George’s.

$49 million for widening US 29 to three lanes from Seneca Drive to MD 175 in Howard County.

$82 million for construction of an interchange on US 15 at Monocacy Boulevard in Frederick.

$20 million for design of a new Thomas Johnson Bridge between Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.

$60 million for reconstruction of in interchange at I-695 and Leeds Avenue in Baltimore County.

$44 million for BRAC-related construction near Aberdeen Proving Ground.

$54 million for construction of a new interchage on US 301 at MD 304 on the Eastern Shore.