WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski  (both D-Md.) today announced the Federal Railroad Administration has awarded the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) $700,000 to improve four crossings in Rosedale, Maryland. The area was the site of a train derailment and explosion in May 2013.

“We fought for this federal investment to help restore safety and reliability to a well-traveled region in Maryland. It will save lives and keep our economy rolling,” said Senator Cardin. “We must continue to invest in America’s infrastructure, which is at the core of every community in every corner of our state and our country.”

“A reliable and well maintained infrastructure is vital to safety and creating jobs today in construction and jobs tomorrow through economic growth,” said Senator Mikulski, Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee which funds the Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration. “This grant will improve safety and provide important infrastructure improvements for both trucks and trains that travel through Baltimore County’s residential communities. I will continue fighting to put funds our federal checkbook that keep Marylanders safe on the roads and on the rails.”

These federal funds will improve four sequential, private grade crossings in Rosedale, Maryland by installing automated half-roadway gates, bells and lights to reduce the risk of serious truck-train accidents along an active 1.87-mile freight rail line in a busy industrial area northeast of Baltimore, MD. Many of these trains transport hazardous materials, and the combination of train movements, truck crossings and passive warning devices creates a significant risk of truck-train accidents.

On May 23, 2013, a truck driver drove onto railroad tracks in Rosedale, Maryland, causing a CSX train carrying hazardous material to derail and explode.

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