Baltimore unveils "Repave Baltimore" plan to modernize resurfacing amid funding and staffing gaps

Veronica McBth, director of Baltimore City Department of Transportation, told the Land Use and Transportation Committee on April 2 that the department is replacing its old "Orange Cone" list with a managed program called Repave Baltimore to align resurfacing projects to funding, modernize procurement and publish up-to-date pavement-condition data.

McBth said the city missed roughly $900 million in Highway User Revenue during the recession, a shortfall she described as equivalent to nearly 3,000 lane miles of resurfacing in a city of about 5,200 roadway miles. "We need an estimated $50 million annually in capital resurfacing funds to maintain our roads," McBth said, adding that allocations have historically been under $10 million per year and that Mayor Scott had allocated more than $30 million in fiscal 2025 and 2026 to accelerate work.

Why it matters: DOT said the previous list functioned as a static inventory disconnected from funding and delivery; Repave Baltimore will be a program-based model that sequences work by available capital, unbundles large contracts to expand contractor participation, and integrates performance metrics and community engagement. McBth said the city has retained Cyclomedia to update its Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and expects a fully synthesized PCI by fall 2026 that will be visible on the Repave Baltimore website.

During the presentation and follow-up questioning, DOT clarified several operational points. The department distinguished internal resurfacing (city crews, operating funds, typically completed within a year) from external resurfacing (contracted capital projects with 18 24 month timelines). Patrick Fing, DOT chief of staff, told the committee that of the 90.5 lane miles the department expects to deliver in calendar year 2026, about 70 miles are carryover technical external projects and roughly 20.5 miles are internal resurfacing handled by city crews.

McBth described the multi-year planning aim as producing a 3-to-5-year portfolio of shovel-ready projects that incorporate Complete Streets guidelines, the bike master plan, Vision Zero and the high-injury network. She said the PCI will support prioritization across arterials, side streets, alleys, ADA ramps and sidewalks and that DOT will coordinate projection and delivery with DPW and utilities to avoid duplicative digs.

On coordination and procurement: Committee members pressed DOT on utility coordination and a "one dig" goal when large utility projects (for example, transmission work on Key Highway) are proposed. Deputy Mayor Khalil Zed said DOT leads monthly interagency meetings with utilities and that Repave Baltimore will require utilities to share multi-year plans so DOT can integrate those cuts into its resurfacing sequencing. McBth said the department plans to unbundle contracts to attract more local, small and mid-size contractors and to reduce change orders that have previously delayed projects and driven carryover funding.

Staffing and spending: McBth said the department's engineering capacity is limited, prompting continued use of consultants in the near term. DOT is running a staffing study with the mayor's office and HR, with results expected by late summer or fall; the department is actively recruiting four engineers now and plans to transition some consultant roles to full-time positions. On expenditures, McBth said the city is "lagging" on spending relative to authorized funding because of systemic delays, change orders and project carryover, which leaves some appropriated funds unspent across fiscal years.

Materials and maintenance: In response to a question about the recent large snowstorm, McBth described DOT's use of rock salt and brine and reported the agency filled more than 31,000 potholes since the storm. DOT said it will engage the Public Health and Environment Committee about potential alternatives and noted that salt/brine remain industry standards while also acknowledging the corrosion impacts on pavement.

Maps, transparency and street-cut policy: Council members asked for a single, layered GIS map showing resurfacing, sidewalks, ADA ramps, alleys, concrete roadway types, traffic-calming measures and existing bike facilities. DOT said the public site is a work in progress with future versions planned to add layering and roadway-type detail. On street cuts, McBth said DOT has revised the street-cut restoration policy, returned it to the law department for review and will pursue implementation; the policy includes a provision that utilities must repave an entire street when cuts exceed 50% of the roadway width.

What remains open: DOT promised follow-up materials requested by councilmembers (a public map of state roads, PCI timelines, and block-level answers on select resurfacing plans). There were no formal votes or motions at the hearing. Chair Ryan Dorsy closed the hearing after confirming outstanding data requests and follow-ups.

Representative quotes from the hearing include: "We need an estimated $50 million annually in capital resurfacing funds to maintain our roads," said Director Veronica McBth. On the transition to a new approach she said Repave Baltimore is "a program-based delivery model" that will provide clearer alignment between funding and projects. Deputy Mayor Khalil Zed described coordination as "monthly" and said Repave Baltimore will put responsibility on utilities to provide multi-year cut plans.

The committee requested DOT return with layered GIS maps, the finalized PCI schedule and documentation of the department's staffing study timeline; DOT committed to supply those materials and to continue briefings as Repave Baltimore is implemented.