Skip to main content
Home

STAY INFORMED

Sign up for updates and alerts from the Maryland Transportation Authority.

 

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.
WAS THIS PAGE HELPFUL?

Public Calendar

Feb 08

Olney Farmers Market

9 AM

2801 Olney Sandy Spring Rd
Olney, MD 20832

Come say hi to our DriveEzMD Outreach Team at the Olney Farmers Market! Stop by our table to get your E-ZPass questions answered, pick up helpful information, and win giveaway items while you enjoy local vendors and fresh finds.

9:00am-1:00pm

Feb 08

Severna Park Health and Wellness Expo

11 AM

Severna Park Community Center
623 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd
Severna Park, MD 21146

The DriveEzMD Outreach Team is excited to take part in the Severna Park Health & Wellness Expo! Stop by our table to learn how E-ZPass can save you time and money on the road! While you’re here, explore tips and tricks from local health and wellness exhibitors covering everything from financial to emotional wellbeing.

11:00am-2:00pm

Feb 10

Bay Crossing Study Public Hearing (Anne Arundel County)

5 PM

Broadneck High School
1265 Green Holly Dr.
Annapolis, MD, 21409

Catch the DriveEzMD Outreach Team at the upcoming Bay Crossing Study Tier 2 NEPA Public Hearing in Annapolis! As the community reviews the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and MDTA’s Recommended Preferred Alternative (Alternative C), we’ll be there to share tolling tools, and provide resources to make your travel across Maryland smoother.

5:00pm-8:00pm