City launches ambitious plan to enhance traffic safety and jobs

In a recent government meeting, key updates were shared regarding staffing, community engagement, and traffic safety initiatives in Baltimore City. The engineering and operations divisions are set to undergo structural changes, allowing for a more focused approach to leadership, with a competitive process planned for finalizing positions.

A new chief engineer and deputy director for Complete Streets will join the team on June 24th. This individual brings over 40 years of experience from various state Departments of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, and is eager to return to Baltimore.

The city has been proactive in recruitment efforts, attending 15 job fairs and connecting with over 900 potential candidates. At a recent career fair, 306 interviews were offered, resulting in 102 attendees. So far, nine positions for commercial driver licenses (CDLs) have been filled, with additional offers extended for various roles, including traffic electronic maintenance technicians and community liaisons. The city is also launching an apprenticeship program aimed at providing hands-on training for 15 to 20 positions in skilled trades.

In collaboration with the Baltimore City Latino Providers Network, the city is enhancing outreach to the Hispanic and Latino communities, providing job announcements in both English and Spanish.

On the traffic safety front, significant progress has been made on a public-facing traffic calming portal, with phases one and two completed. A pilot test phase is scheduled for this winter, with a full rollout expected by late 2025. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is also implementing neighborhood traffic calming measures in six communities, focusing on areas with high equity scores.

Additionally, the city has secured a $2 million grant under the highway safety improvement program to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety at 11 locations. Efforts to optimize traffic signals are ongoing, with data collection currently underway.

Finally, the DOT is working with various city departments to implement overnight parking enforcement, with a proposal set to be presented to the union next week. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to enhance safety across the city.