The Maryland Department of Transportation awarded $1.2 million in grant funding as part of the inaugural Freight Rail Grant Program, which the Department launched this year.
The grant program will support efforts to preserve rail corridors, improve the safety and reliability of freight rail operations and foster the growth of businesses that depend on rail service. Funding for the grant program was included in the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Transportation Plan fiscal 2026 budget.
The grants include $500,000 to the Maryland and Delaware Railroad for the Massey to Millington Freight Rail Rehabilitation Project in Kent County.
This project will rebuild and upgrade 3.5 miles of State-owned railroad track to modern standards, enabling increased freight transfer to rail. The state grant provides matching funds for a larger proposed project that will leverage federal funding to reduce roadway congestion and emissions.
Another $500,000 was awarded to S.W. Barrick & Sons for improvements to the Finksburg Rail Terminal in Caroll County.
The project will upgrade rail unloading and storage equipment, expand terminal capacity, enhance safety and reduce diesel emissions. These improvements will support both current operation and future expansion of aggregate transport by rail.
The state announced $160,000 to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for a feasibility study of the Denton Spur Choptank Bridge in Caroline County.
This study will explore options for converting the “rail-banked” Choptank River railroad bridge in Denton into an interim rail-trail. The work will include evaluating the existing structure and developing potential design alternatives.
Additionally, $28,800 will be allocated to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corp. for the Switch Nine Revenue Capacity Enhancement project in Allegany County. Funding will complete a main-track siding near Frostburg by installing 450 feet of track and making related repairs, which will increase track capacity and safety on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
Officials also awarded $56,800 to the Walkersville Southern Railroad for a 100-year storm floodplain study in Frederick County. The project will conduct a 100-year floodplain study in and around the Walkersville railroad yard to assess the necessary improvements to support future rail infrastructure development.
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