GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY LAUNCHES CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HALETHORPE MARC STATION

$21 Million Project Improves Key Stop on Penn Line

HALETHORPE, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley was joined by Congressman John Sarbanes, Senator Ed Kasemeyer, Delegates James Malone and Steven DeBoy, and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz at the Halethorpe MARC station to break ground on a $21 million station improvement project.  Nearly 1,300 MARC passengers use the Halethorpe station each day.  The improvements will make the station more efficient and easier for passengers to use while also enhancing its appearance.  This investment reflects the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s ongoing commitment to MARC and mass transit. 

“To draw people to transit we need to provide facilities that are convenient, accessible and safe,” said Governor O’Malley.  “This $21 million investment will transform the station as we know it by building new platforms, canopies, pedestrian bridges, ramps and elevators for the disabled, and even a new Kiss and Ride lot.  Just as important, we are going to do this in an aesthetically pleasing way so that the station is seen as an asset by the surrounding communities.”

Halethorpe is among the five busiest stations on the MARC Penn Line.  The project includes two 700-foot-long high platforms to improve train boarding, a new pedestrian bridge to link the platforms, staircases, elevators and expanded shelters.  Passengers will also be able to take advantage of a Kiss-and-Ride drop off location, a new ticket booth and landscaping improvements.

“Public transportation offers a cost-effective, safe, and reliable means of travel for many Americans and the MARC System is the backbone of public transportation in Maryland,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “I will continue to fight for federal funding of MARC and other transportation projects within Maryland.”

In addition, the improvements included in the construction plan make the station compliant with the American Disabilities Act.

“We welcome this new MARC station with open arms,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. “Enhancing our region's mass transit is an important priority that benefits the business community and residents while reducing our environmental impact.”

Maryland Delegate James Malone said, “My grandfather used to take me on the train downtown to the bank as a child.  After 17 years, I'm ecstatic this project is coming to fruition.  The new Halethorpe MARC Train Station, in my opinion, will be a beautiful addition to the community.”

The two-year, $21 million dollar project has significant support in the Halethorpe community, including support from the Halethorpe Improvement Association, the Halethorpe Civic Association and the Relay Improvement Association.  To facilitate construction of the Halethorpe MARC station. Amtrak has reconfigured the supports for three of its catenary structures, raising one structure, relocating a signal control cabinet and raising power supply cables.