Prince George’s and Charles county officials want a light rail project connecting the two counties to be one of Maryland’s top transportation priorities, but the project may have trouble gaining the state’s attention and dollars. An 18.8-mile light rail line along the Route 5 corridor in Southern Maryland would extend rail transportation from the Branch Avenue Metro station to Waldorf and White Plains. Councilman Mel Franklin, D-Upper Marlboro, plans to introduce a resolution pushing the state to prioritize the project.
The rail would provide a new option for Southern Maryland residents traveling into the District, but the project faces the challenge of competing with the proposed Purple Line connecting Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, as well as the Red Line in Baltimore.
Former Prince George’s County Council Chairman Jim Estepp said the project would be a valuable development tool for Southern Maryland, including areas in Prince George’s like Brandywine and Clinton.
But the chances of the Maryland Department of Transportation actually making light rail to Charles County a statewide priority are slim, he said.
“Funding priorities are certainly going to be shifted, and with cuts and federal spending, the likelihood is this is not going to be made a top priority,” said Estepp, president of the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable.
Even funding for the Purple Line is still in doubt — there are no plans yet to fund its $1.93 billion cost.
Gov. Martin O’Malley’s controversial proposal to raise the gas tax by 15 cents would give Maryland the highest per-gallon tax rate in the country. But the rate hasn’t been raised since 1992, and faces stiff competition in the General Assembly.
Funding is sure to be scarce, even years after the Maryland officials get through their current priorities.
“It’s a great idea if it was feasible, if there was money to do it,” said Del. C.T. Wilson, D-Charles County. “But it does come at a cost.”
Even if funds aren’t immediately available, Franklin said officials were looking at all possible revenue sources — including federal, state and county dollars — to finance initial design and environmental engineering tasks to make the light rail project ready at a moment’s notice.
Light rail to Charles County should be ready to go when funds are available again in the future, according to Joe Green, a lobbyist working with officials in Charles and Montgomery counties.
