Report a Comment

The long range MDOT plans for MARC Penn Line service are to expand to 7 day service with greatly increased frequency- hourly IIRC with half-hourly at peak times. In order to have the capacity, the NEC between south of Baltimore to New Carrolton is to be expanded to 4 tracks, with a 3rd track to Union Station. The replacement for the B&P tunnel is probably going to have to be in place as well for 7 day increased frequency MARC DC to Balt service.

The Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Master Plan lays out the long term plans and needs to 3 or 4 track the NEC from Wilmington to DC for greater capacity, much of it for MARC long term needs. Unfortunately MD did not get it's $248 million application selected for the 4th track upgrade and BWI station rebuild for the BWI airport section from the Florida HSR funding re-allocations announced last month. If there is HSIPR funding in FY2012, MD will very likely submit the BWI station segment NEC application again.

Expanding MARC to 7 days for DC to BWI to Baltimore trips is a LOT less expensive than stretching Metro out to BWI. Faster too from Union station on a 125 mph line with fewer stops than on a 70 mph max speed Metro line with a whole bunch of station stops to BWI or Baltimore.

by AlanF on Jun 22, 2011 12:36 am • link • report