HANOVER, MD -- With an eye toward the future, Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari today announced the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will undertake a study to determine the feasibility of future commuter rail service between Washington, D.C. and St. Mary’s County. The study reflects Governor Martin O’Malley’s statewide commitment to transit.
“As the need to move people between St. Mary’s County and the Washington region continues to evolve, it is important that we explore the variety of transportation options that may be available to us,” said Secretary Porcari. “This initial look at the possibility of commuter rail will generate valuable information as important decisions are made in the years ahead.”
The study, being conducted at the request of State Senator Roy Dyson, will examine: potential operating scenarios and station locations; potential rights of way and both the challenges and opportunities associated with them; and, potential ridership needed to support such a service. The study also will include a review of prior studies and an assessment of the potential cost. Work will begin in Spring 2008 and take approximately six months to complete.
This study of the potential for commuter rail to St. Mary’s County will be conducted in addition to the separate Southern Maryland Mass Transportation Analysis now underway by the MTA. That analysis is designed to examine possible alignments for future bus rapid transit or light rail service along the US 301/MD 5 corridor between White Plains and the Branch Avenue Metro Station.
The MTA’s MARC Train service currently operates between the Baltimore – Washington regions along the Penn and Camden lines, while the Brunswick line provides commuter service between Washington and Martinsburg, West Virginia. In 2007, at the direction of Governor O’Malley, the MTA developed the comprehensive MARC Growth and Investment Plan designed to triple ridership by 2035. It did not include an examination of potential service to St. Mary’s County due to its focus on expanding existing service or adding new service on facilities already suitable for passenger rail service.
Contact:
Jack Cahalan
Erin Henson
410-865-1025 |
