CSX AND MDOT SIGN MOU
MAKING THE NEW SERVICE POSSIBLE

HANOVER, MD – Thanks to two years of hard work and creative thinking by a multijurisdictional partnership with state, county, city and private sector partners, the Hogan Administration today announced the solution to preserve the Historic Laurel MARC Station and deliver a new Laurel Park MARC Station to serve new development in the area.  The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSX), signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines how the agreement will deliver the new service without impacting the commute time for MARC customers or CSX Freight customers.

“This solution is a perfect example of what we can accomplish working together," said Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn.  “CSX remained committed to finding a way to deliver for Marylanders while Howard County continues to work closely with the state and the private sector to spur regional economic development."

The partnership includes representatives from MDOT's MTA and State Highway Administration, CSX, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County, the City of Laurel, and the Laurel Park Development Team.  Over the next year, this group will continue its partnership to finalize details on the implementation of service and specific plans for the new Laurel Park station. 

“The two MARC Station solution will support the fast-growing development in this region in an environmentally sensitive way by encouraging more people to get out of their cars and onto transit," said Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.

As outlined in the memorandum of understanding, service at the Historic Laurel MARC Station will maintain its current level of service and the Laurel Park MARC Station will have limited service with three morning trips southbound to Union Station and three evening trips northbound to Laurel Park.  The additional stops are being made possible by eliminating one morning flag stop (5:11 a.m.) at the St. Denis Station and two flag stops (6:53 a.m. and 6:01 p.m.) at the Jessup MARC Station.  These commuters will be able to take MARC from the Dorsey Station and Annapolis Junction MARC Station that provide good parking options.

“Secretary Rahn, County Executive Kittleman and CSX officials have truly delivered on their promise to preserve the Historic MARC Station for the citizens of Laurel," said City Councilmember H. Edward Ricks.

Contact:
MDOT – Erin Henson - 410-865-1025
Howard County – Deidre McCabe – 410-313-4023