National Gateway and Maryland

The National Gateway proposes a state-of-the-art rail corridor linking the East Coast's international deepwater ports and major consumption markets with the population and manufacturing centers of the Midwest. With improved clearances, new terminals and greater capacity, the National Gateway will improve the flow of freight by rail, enhancing Maryland's consumer options and augmenting the Maryland Port Administration's ability to handle goods going to and coming from world markets.

While the route structure is already in place, the National Gateway will provide the necessary capacity, facilities, and equipment for highly efficient, environmentally-friendly advanced rail service. Funding for development will come from both public and private sources, with public benefits of $16 expected for every $1 of public money invested.

Expanding capacity on our nation's railways will bolster environmental health and promote economic growth. The National Gateway delivers over $850 million of public benefits to Maryland by:

  • Reducing CO2 emissions by 130,000 tons
  • Expanding rail market access potential for the State by 114 percent
  • Enhancing rail transportation infrastructure to attract new business and jobs
  • Reducing the State's highway congestion by shifting freight from over 1.5 million trucks from the highway to the railway, saving over $33 million in highway maintenance costs
  • Saving nearly $350 million in logistics costs for the State

More Rail Options:
The National Gateway will provide competitive intermodal service between Baltimore and the Port of Baltimore and Midwest metro areas. A new Northwest Ohio transfer yard and double-stack clearances will improve existing service and expand freight shipping options between Maryland and Midwest markets by 114 percent.

Highway Relief:
By creating an additional freight transportation option, the National Gateway will reduce traffic congestion and lower highway maintenance costs. One train can carry the load of more than 280 trucks, clearing space for over 1,100 cars. The National Gateway will shift the freight of an estimated 1.5 million trucks off Maryland's highways. Any effort to shift freight from highways to railways greatly improves safety, the environment and traffic.

Environmental Benefits:
Railroads are the most environmentally-friendly way to move goods on land. On average, railroads are three or more times more fuel efficient than alternatives. The National Gateway will improve the flow of freight by rail in Maryland, reducing fuel consumption by nearly 12 million gallons and CO2 emissions by 130,000 tons.

Logistics Savings:
By expanding rail access and providing new shipping options, the National Gateway is expected to reduce overall freight shipping costs on goods entering and leaving Maryland by nearly $350 million.

Emission Reductions:
Over the first ten years, the National Gateway will reduce CO2 emissions in Maryland by 131,391 tons. This is 10% of the total project reduction of 1,291,507 tons. The National Gateway's environmental benefits in Maryland can be measured in a number of different ways:

  • Reduces CO2 emissions by over 400,000 metric tons (over 130,000 U.S. tons)
  • Reduces fuel consumption by nearly 50 million gallons of gasoline
  • Saves the equivalent emissions as taking over 80,000 cars off the road
  • Eliminates the same amount of carbon sequestered by more than 11 million tree seedlings growing for 10 years