Maryland invests $1.5 billion into Baltimore transportation projects

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Last month, CivSource reported on new transportation projects underway in Maryland. The state has now announced even more slated for the Baltimore area, amounting to a $1.5 billion investment. Some $689 million in investments is slated for the Baltimore Red Line project, including $519 million for construction.

The Red Line is part of Baltimore’s MARC public transit system which is one of the largest in the mid-atlantic region. Public transit service on MARC will also expand to include weekend days for the first time in its history. Saturday service will start on the Penn Line in December.

Saturday will offer nine round trips between Penn Station in Baltimore and Union Station in Washington, D.C. Sunday will offer six round trips between Penn Station and Union Station.

Overall the state plans to invest $4.4 billion in statewide transportation projects over the next six years. For the Baltimore project, not only will work happen on the Red Line, but new commuter rail locomotives will be added, as will additional weekday trips on some lines.

Roads and highways will also be improved in and around Baltimore City and the metro area. The state expects that the Baltimore work will create 13,000 jobs and shorten commute times for many in the area.

“To create jobs, a modern economy requires modern investments like the ones we are announcing today for the Baltimore region,” Governor O’Malley said.