The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking a private partner for an anticipated 40-year lease to operate, maintain, and improve approximately 92 miles of freight rail corridors on Maryland's Eastern Shore. This Public-Private Partnership (P3) aims to modernize the rail infrastructure, increase efficiency, and stimulate economic growth in the region.

The project's main objectives include ensuring safe and reliable freight rail service, attracting new customers and increasing carload volume, reducing or eliminating state subsidies, providing property management services, and generating revenue to fund improvements while shifting the operational risk and responsibility to the private sector.

MDOT will utilize a competitive process, potentially a two-step process involving a Request for Qualification (RFQ) followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued to the shortlisted teams. No more than four teams will be considered.

One-on-One meeting requests are due no later than April 9, 2025 while RFI responses are due April 14, 2025. One-on-one meetings for interested parties to discuss the RFI are anticipated to take place April 14-25, 2025 with an RFQ expected to be released in May 2025. The target operating start date is January 1, 2026.

Please review the posted RFI and respond accordingly no later than April 14, 2025. Please direct all inquiries and responses to freightrail@mdot.maryland.gov.