Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $5.6 Million in Federal Funding to Upgrade MARC, Railways Across Maryland

 U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all Md.) today announced $5.6 million in federal funding upgrade MARC commuter trains and improve railroad infrastructure across Maryland. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program.

“This new federal investment will help modernize Maryland’s freight and passenger rail networks – a critical element of our state’s economy,” the lawmakers said. “Team Maryland will continue to secure federal resources to improve our state’s transportation infrastructure and help keep Maryland commuters safe.” 

Maryland Transit Administration was awarded $3.1 million for the Martin’s Yard Northeast Corridor Switch Modernization Project.  The project will install power-operated turnouts where MARC Commuter trains enter/exit the Martin Yard station in Middle River.  The power-operated turnouts will replace the original hand-thrown turnouts, which will increase capacity at the Baltimore Penn Station for Amtrak passenger trains. 

As a part of the Worton Track Safety Project on the Freight Rail Chestertown Line, the Maryland Department of Transportation was awarded $2.5 million to rehabilitate nearly 2,000 feet of track, and to install new crossties, ballast and rail.  A new turnout on track will also be installed. It will be operated by the Class III Maryland and Delaware Railroad Company. 

More information on the Consolidated Rain Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program can be found here.