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      Ultimate decisions about the pattern and density of land use, however,
      still lie with local jurisdictions. However, transportation investments
      should occur where growth can best be accommodated. For many counties,
      most land uses are well established, and the challenge for those
      jurisdictions is to "retrofit" themselves for Smart Growth. There is no
      "one size fits all" solution to congestion management, and bypasses
      might be considered as an appropriate congestion management measure for
      growing "Main Street" districts where slow local traffic is the goal.
      MDOT will work closely with local officials to address these issues.

      Smart Growth Goal

      MDOT will be the leader in developing State-funded transportation
      investments and facilities in support of Smart Growth.

      Smart Growth Policies

        MDOT will support the viability of established communities with
        special attention to:
        congestion management;
        commercial area revitalization;
        pedestrian and bicycle circulation and safety;
        noise mitigation and
        landscaping and aesthetic designs;
        MDOT will reinforce and support the benefits of Smart Growth areas by
        providing transit and pedestrian facilities that promote changes in
        behavior and thereby reduce the demand for roads and parking
        facilities.
        MDOT will evaluate Department-owned real estate for its potential to
        foster Smart Growth through redevelopment.
        MDOT will work with local jurisdictions to incorporate Smart Growth
        principles into their land use and transportation plans.
        MDOT will coordinate with other State agencies’ efforts to support
        Smart Growth.
        MDOT will conduct public outreach to promote the concepts of Smart
        Growth.
        MDOT will support the use of pilot projects to promote the development
        of model Smart Growth communities.
        MDOT will ensure current projects in the Consolidated Transportation
        Program for consistency with Smart Growth legislation.
        MDOT will promote development in the vicinity of transit stations by
        making land and technical assistance available to developers. In such
        communities, MDOT will foster pedestrian-friendly design in keeping
        with the pedestrian scale and mixed-use character of the areas.
        In remote areas, MDOT will focus on safety and maintenance of the
        highway network but will recognize that major capacity projects may be
        necessary to improve mobility to support commerce and economic
        development.
       
      Rewards of Resources: the MTP and Environmental Protection

      From the Appalachian mountain ranges of Western Maryland to the
      Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore and the farms, rivers and forests
      that rest in between, Maryland is rich in environmental resources.
      Historic towns and Civil War battlefields lie throughout the State,
      connecting Marylanders to our rich cultural heritage. To protect these
      resources, Maryland law directs State agencies to "conduct their affairs
      with an awareness that they are stewards of the air, land, water, living
      and historic resources, and that they have an obligation to protect the
      environment for the use and enjoyment of this and all future
      generations." Given the complex relationship that transportation has
      with the environment, and the importance that the Maryland environment
      has in ensuring the livability of the State, MDOT has an important role
      to play in protecting Maryland's environmental resources.

      Without a doubt, a conflict exists between transportation and the
      natural and cultural environment. Transportation infrastructure and
      facilities require land, sometimes disturbing wetlands, fields, forests,
      air and other ecosystems in their development. And unless carefully
      planned, transportation improvements meant to facilitate mobility can
      diminish the value of cultural or historic properties.

      These natural conflicts led to Federal and State requirements for
      explicit documentation and mitigation of environmental disturbances from
      the development of new facilities. In some cases, however, this
      documentation focuses the public discussion on the specific impacts of
      the projects rather than the larger purpose they serve. MDOT must be
      proactive and innovative in how it approaches the planning process to

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