BALTIMORE – A proposal to expand Maryland’s MARC Train commuter train service on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor into Delaware and Virginia is slowing moving ahead. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Transit Administration has signed framework agreements with Delaware Transit Corp. and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority for the potential future expansion of MARC Train Service to Newark, Del. and Alexandria, Va. The agreements outline next steps to advance discussions and explore pilot service opportunities.
Creating a seamless continuation of MARC Train service both north and south of Maryland is a critical component to transforming MARC Train from a local, commuter rail to a regional rail provider. “We must take a regional approach to create a fully connected transportation network, and these agreements will help us deliver seamless transit service across state lines,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a statement.
To advance MARC service to Newark, the Maryland Transit Administration and Delaware Transit Corp. will engage with regional stakeholders and agencies to help determine operational and infrastructure needs. Ultimately, these efforts are designed to close the commuter rail gap and create a seamless connection between MARC and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority system.
To provide MARC run-through service into Virginia, the Maryland Transit Administration will continue to coordinate with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, Virginia Railway Express, Amtrak and CSX. Future service depends on completion of the Long Bridge project, which includes a new rail bridge spanning the Potomac River from the District of Columbia to Virginia, and other related fourth-track projects in the District and in Northern Virginia. In the short term, Maryland will coordinate with Virginia Railway Express on improvements to existing connections at Washington Union Station.
The signing of framework agreements with transit agencies in Delaware and Virginia follows the Maryland Transit Administration’s recent memorandum of understanding and funding agreement with Amtrak to replace the 150-year old B&P Tunnel in Baltimore with the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel. The project will significantly improve speed, capacity and reliability for MARC and Amtrak passengers, and provide an updated West Baltimore MARC station that’s compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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