FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Agency Recognized for Emergency Repairs to Light RailLink Tracks After Flooding

BALTIMORE, MD (FEBRUARY 21, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration’s around-the-clock commitment to track repairs after severe July storms won an Award of Excellence at the recent Maryland Quality Initiatives (MdQI) Conference. The MdQI awards recognize quality, collaboration and innovation in the areas of planning studies, programs and construction projects. MDOT MTA received the award in the Projects Under $5 Million category.

“We are truly honored to be recognized by leaders in the transportation industry for our hard work and commitment to transit,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. “Safety is our first priority and we worked tirelessly to complete these repairs to ensure the well-being of everyone who rides our system.”
 

Flooding from severe storms in July caused erosion to sections of the Light RailLink track near the Twin Oaks grade crossing. To mitigate flooding and future erosion, MDOT MTA cut and removed sections of track, gravel and soil, built a pipe and then excavated area 40 feet wide and 16 feet deep. A 1,200-foot-long concrete drain was also constructed. To further stabilize the area, reinforcements were constructed along the hillside next to the tracks. MDOT MTA worked around-the-clock to complete the repairs, which enabled Light RailLink service to resume three days ahead of schedule.

MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates LocalLink and commuter buses, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train service and a comprehensive Mobility (paratransit) system. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mdot.maryland.gov or mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.

MEDIA CONTACTS:    

Paul Shepard                                
Office: 410-767-3935                             
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mta.maryland.gov     

Brittany Marshall
Office: 410-767-8367               
Cell: 443-970-0424
bmarshall1@mta.maryland.gov    

# # #