The findings of a BRAC-related study may indicate that the enhancement of Aberdeen’s current train station will best meet the city’s needs.

A public meeting on the Harford County Multi-Modal Transportation Study was held in the city April 22. The study is designed to find the best location for the Aberdeen train station in order to meet future growth and to identify the ideal facility to accommodate multi-modal transportation and transit development surrounding that station area.

Three options were presented. One option is to build a station on the Mitchell property that borders along the train tracks and along Route 715. Another option is to build a station on APG property directly across the tracks from the Mitchell property. A third option is to update and add on to the existing station.

Whether an enhancement of the current station or a completely new facility, the Aberdeen train station will include certain features, according to Rick Nau, project manager with URS Corp in Hunt Valley, the company contracted to assess a multi-modal transportation center.

These features include restrooms and break room, three bays for an APG shuttle, four bays for MTA, seven bays for Harford Transit, 15 pick up/ drop off parking spaces, 500 park and ride spaces, and a platform 950 feet long 14.5 feet wide and 4 feet high.

Significant changes would need to be made to the existing station if this is the option chosen.

Nau explained that 19 criteria were considered when evaluating the sites. These criteria take into account things like existing zoning and whether the area is pedestrian friendly, explained David Starnes with David Basile with Baumann Prost and Associates Inc.

“The existing Aberdeen site meets more of the criteria,” Nau said.

The project study is still not complete and a cost estimate for any project is not yet available. The study is scheduled to conclude this June.

“Our next step is to develop a recommendation,” Nau said.

user comments (0)