• The need to increase the competitiveness of the Port of Baltimore: The construction of 50-foot berths would enable the larger ships traversing the Panama Canal to dock, bring additional business to the port and help to secure jobs at the port. Without this private funding, the port would see business opportunities shift to other US East Coast ports, such as the Norfolk Port, which already has 50-foot berths.
• The MdTA will reinvest funds as part of a capital program. This will include upgrades to I-95, the US 40 Hatem Bridge, and the US 50/301 Bay Bridge.