Red Line (Baltimore)

The Red Line is a proposed east–west transit line for Baltimore, Maryland. The original project was granted federal approval to enter the preliminary engineering phase and the Maryland Transit Administration had spent roughly $300 million in planning, design and land acquisition, until Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared his intent to not provide state funds for the project and shift state funding to roads in suburban areas. The original Red Line had been projected to cost roughly $1.6 billion, $900 million of which would have been guaranteed federal funding. Its construction had been estimated to begin in late 2015–early 2016, subject to funding, with a completion date set for late 2021–early 2022.

While campaigning for governor, Hogan characterized the project as a "boondoggle". Hogan's shift of state priorities to road funding has resulted in the construction of several major projects near properties owned by his company, leading to allegations of corruption. The Red Line cancellation was briefly investigated by the United States Department of Transportation for being in possible violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, since his decision shifted a large quantity of state money from predominantly Black and low-income neighborhoods into affluent and predominantly white areas, but the investigation was closed with no finding.

The project was classed as inactive; however, after several groups continued to campaign for its construction, the State, under Governor Wes Moore, brought back the project in June 2023. By that November, it was undergoing updated route evaluations and mode selection.