WASHINGTON —
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation Subcommittee, today praised Senate passage of an omnibus appropriations bill that includes $3 million for the Baltimore Red Line. The light rail project will run 14 miles from east to west, operating from Woodlawn through downtown and to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus.  The funds will be used to continue the design and preliminary engineering as the State finalizes details of the route.

“Job creation and economic development are dependent on a well-integrated public transportation system.
 The Baltimore Red Line will help transform our city and our region, adding a convenient, affordable east-west alternative to the ever-increasing gridlock. The Baltimore Red Line also will help reduce congestion and improve air quality by taking thousands of cars off the road,
”
said Senator Cardin.

Approximately 42,000 trips a day are expected on the new route, connecting individuals and businesses with the MARC Penn and Camden Lines, the Central Light Rail Line, the Baltimore Metro system, as well as major workforce hubs and education centers including the University of Maryland Baltimore and Johns Hopkins.