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MDTA at 50 - 50 years - 1971 to 2021

MDTA at 50 - 1971 to 2021

MDTA 50 Years 1971 to 2021The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) was established in 1971 by the Maryland General Assembly to finance, construct, operate, preserve and improve the State’s toll facilities and finance new revenue-producing transportation projects. 

The MDTA is financed by toll revenue without relying on State tax dollars. Eight toll facilities – two turnpikes, two tunnels, and four bridges – connect Marylanders to life’s opportunities. 

For 50 years, the MDTA has provided Maryland’s citizens and visitors with safe, secure, reliable and convenient transportation facilities. We are committed to preserving our vital infrastructure and to maintaining quality and excellence in our customer service. We rely on our organization’s values, traditions, and most importantly our employees, to achieve these goals. Celebrate with us and take a trip through our history!

Historic Photos Carousel 

MDTA 50th Anniversary

Interactive Timeline

Please mouse over the Timeline to zoom in.

 

Download the MDTA Timeline PDF.

Governor Larry Hogan's Proclamation

MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION


Governors Proclamation - MDTA 50th Anniversary CelebrationWHEREAS, The Maryland Transportation Authority - known as the MDTA - came into existence in 1971 by act of the Maryland Legislature, effective July 1, 1971. Chapter 526 of the Laws of Maryland of 1970 created the MDTA to finance, construct, operate, and improve the State's toll facilities, as well as to finance new revenue-producing transportation projects; and 

WHEREAS, The MDTA remains a self-sufficient non-budgeted State agency that receives no money from the State's General Fund or the Transportation Trust Fund. The MDTA is exclusively financed by toll revenues and is governed by a Board with the Secretary of Transportation serving as its Chair; and 

WHEREAS, For 50 years, the MDTA 's toll facilities have provided Maryland 's citizens and visitors safe, secure, reliable, and convenient transportation facilities - including roads, bridges, and tunnels. In August of 2020 the MDTA implemented permanent statewide all electronic tolling, and on April 29 of this year, the MDTA successfully launched DriveEzMD. - its new and improved customer service platform that is designed to "Keep Maryland Moving" and make it easier than ever to travel the state's toll facilities; and 

WHEREAS, The MDTA 's highly accredited police force is the seventh largest police department in the state of Maryland. The MDTA Police keep our citizens and visitors safe as they use MDTA 's bridges, tunnels, and highways - as well as at the Port of Baltimore and BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport; and

WHEREAS, As we celebrate the MDTA 's 50th Anniversary - and look forward to the next 50 years - the people of Maryland can rest assured that the MDTA 's leadership team and its dedicated employees will continue to utilize the best practices in safety and technology, to advance the State's transportation missions. 

WHEREAS, For 50 years, the MDTA has been a valuable part of Maryland's transportation network defining ways to move the state forward in the future and playing a critical role in the safety, accessibility, mobility, economic vitality, and quality of life for all Marylanders.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, do hereby congratulate the MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY on 50 Years of outstanding service to the State of Maryland.

Follow link to review the Governor's Proclamation PDF.

50 Pieces of History Video Series Carousel
3D Interactive Toll Booth
Mouseover Instructions for 3D Interactive Model:

  • Mouseover the 3D model and left click and hold the mouse button. Then, drag the mouse left or right to rotate model left or right on its axis.
  • Mouseover the 3D model and left click and hold the mouse button. Then, drag the mouse up or down to rotate the model up and down on its axis.
  • Mouseover the 3D model and right click and hold the mouse button. Then, drag the mouse left or right to move the whole model left or right.
  • Mouseover the 3D model and right click and hold the mouse button. Then, drag the mouse up or down to move the whole model up and down.
  • Mouseover the 3D Model and use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom the whole model in and out.
  • Mouseover the 3D model and left click on the toggle switch located in lower right corner of the 3D model to switch between full screen mode and in-page mode.
  • Refresh the page to reset the model to the original settings.
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Public Calendar

Oct 20

Public Event 10 20

6:30 PM

Point Breeze

Serious About Safety: CHART’s Role in Keeping Maryland Moving

This month’s Serious About Safety feature highlights the Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) and the work its teams do every day to help keep Maryland’s roadways safe.

CHART Emergency Response Technicians respond to crashes, disabled vehicles, roadway hazards, and other incidents, often while working alongside fast-moving traffic. Their jobs come with risks, which is why it is important for drivers to slow down and give roadside responders the space they need to work safely.


In this month’s video, Brian Knott, an Emergency Response Technician with CHART at the State Highway Administration, shares more about his role, the safety challenges CHART teams face, and what drivers can do to help protect roadside workers. The feature also highlights Maryland’s Move Over law. When approaching a stopped emergency, service, or maintenance vehicle with its warning lights activated, drivers are required to move over when it is safe to do so. If moving over is not possible, drivers must slow down and proceed with caution.

Watch Brian’s video below to learn more about CHART and the importance of the Move Over law.

Want to learn more about CHART operations? Hear additional insight from the CHART Field Training & Certification Manager and Division Chief of Regional Operations on the Serious About Safety Hub page.

Oct 24

BARCStober Fest

10:00 AM

Patterson Park
2601 E Baltimore St,
Baltimore, MD 21224

Bring your furry friend and stop by the DriveEzMD booth at BARCStober Fest for tail-wagging treats, family-friendly fun, and helpful info on making travel across Maryland a breeze.

Oct 24

Journey at CFG Bank Arena

6:00 PM

CFG Bank Arena
201 W Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

Come say hi! Stop by the DriveEzMD Outreach table before or after the event to grab some fun giveaways, chat with our team, and learn how E-ZPass can help make your travels around Maryland easier and more convenient.