Maryland DOT awards $1.2M to support freight-rail corridors

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded $1.2 million in grant funding from its inaugural Freight Rail Grant Program, launched this year.

Funding for the program was dedicated in the MDOT Consolidated Transportation Plan Fiscal Year 2026 budget, MDOT officials said in a press release. Eligible recipients included state agencies, local jurisdictions, railroads and shipper.

This recipients are the following:

• The Maryland and Delaware Railroad was awarded $500,000 for the Massey-to-Millington freight rail rehabilitation project to rebuild and upgrade 3.5 miles of state-owned track. The grant provides matching funds for a larger proposed project using federal funding to reduce road congestion and emissions, MDOT officials said;
• S.W. Barrick & Sons Inc. quarry was awarded $500,000 to upgrade rail unloading and storage equipment, expand terminal capacity, enhance safety and reduce diesel emissions at the Finksburg Rail Terminal;
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources was awarded $160,000 to complete the Denton Spur Choptank Bridge feasibility study, which will explore options for converting an existing rail-banked railroad bridge for rail-trail use;
• Walkersville Southern Railroad Inc. was awarded $56,800 to conduct a 100-year floodplain study around the Walkersville railroad yard to assess what improvements are needed to support further rail development; and
• Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corp. was awarded $28,800 to complete a main track siding by installing 450 feet of track and making related repairs.