MTA to Open New Southbound MARC Platform

Maryland Transit Administration officials announced Thursday the new southbound MARC train platform will open Monday.

The current platform will close after the end of service on Friday, according to the announcement on the MTA's website:

Great news for Halethorpe MARC passengers!  On Monday, April 22, the new southbound platform will be put into service at the Halethorpe station.  The existing platform and waiting shelters will be closed after the last train departs Friday night.   Starting with the first train Monday morning, all southbound boarding and detraining will take place on the new, high-level platform.

The northbound platforms, elevators, and overhead walkway will open in late June.  Until that time, the current low-level platforms will be used for all northbound boarding and detraining.  Passengers are reminded to use the staircases and walkway along Ridge Avenue to get from the northbound platform to the parking lot.  NEVER cross the tracks—trains operate in this area at speeds of up to 135 mph.

When using the new southbound platform, passengers are reminded to stand well behind the yellow safety line.  Again, Amtrak trains pass Halethorpe at speeds of up to 135 mph.

Dignitaries broke ground on the new platform in April 2011.