WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) has awarded the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) a $1.3 million grant to complete the construction of a MARC train station in Edgewood, MD. The grant will fund the second phase of the conversion of the Edgewood stop from a platform to a fully functioning MARC station.

The $1.3 million grant will fund construction of a new station with amenities, including bathrooms, ticket vending machines, ramps to the train platform for those with disabilities, and various improvements to the roadways surrounding the station.

“The Edgewood MARC station is a critical stop in the MARC system, particularly in light of the significant increase in workers at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) because of BRAC,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee.   “Improvements to the Edgewood station are an investment in jobs and in our future, and it will ensure that Harford County residents have a safer, more efficient commute to work.”

“A strong, modern transportation and mass transit system is critical to commuters in Harford County,” Senator Mikulski said. “These federal dollars will make sure that the Aberdeen Proving Ground MARC station will keep our people moving and businesses booming, especially with the great opportunities as well as great challenges that come with BRAC. That’s why I fight to put funds in the federal checkbook to help meet the increased demands BRAC places on our communities. Federal funds for Maryland transit systems help keep Marylanders on the move.”

The Edgewood stop is located on the MARC Penn Line between the Martin State Airport station and Aberdeen. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) relocated an additional 8,200 workers to APG, bringing its workforce to approximately 22,000.  Construction for the new station is expected to be completed by November 2013.