The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) told P3 Bulletin that bidders have been given “at least an additional month” to allow new governor Larry Hogan’s administration sufficient time to assess the project.
“The project is complex, and they may need some time to come up to speed,” said an MDOT spokesperson.
“In the meantime we are continuing with the solicitation process, Right-Of-Way acquisition, and agreements. Based on a solicitation schedule determined a year ago at the beginning of the process, teams were working toward an early January submittal.”
MDOT now plans to finalize the revised schedule in the new year and stressed that the date change would not affect the overall project schedule.
However, rumours abound that Hogan – a vocal critic of the project – could scrap the deal in January in favour of road development and bus facilities.