HIGH SPEED RAILROAD CROSSINGS 645

by any means austere. It provides for a reasonable growth in carefully
selected areas and expands to a moderate degree the almost unprec-
edented increase in expenditures approved in last year's budget and
the subsequent fiscal reform program. Education and health services
continue to advance in significant proportion to other fields in the
State effort. But new programs are called for and must be begun, in-
cluding the present pressing problems of water pollution, alcoholism
and mental health, for which innovative programs and self-financing
will be submitted. Your attention and careful consideration are invited
to the detailed facets of the budget.

NEWS RELEASE AND STATEMENT ON HIGH
SPEED RAILROAD CROSSINGS

January 21, 1968

Governor Agnew announced today that Maryland will seek Federal
funds to eliminate all grade crossings of the Pennsylvania Railroad
for the New York to Washington high speed train demonstration pro-
gram that starts this spring.

He said the action is urgently needed for the safety of motorists
using the 17 grade crossings which would be affected in Maryland by
the Federally-aided project.

The State Roads Commission, which recommended to the Gov-
ernor that Federal assistance be sought, estimated that it will cost
about $15 million to insure safety at the crossings.

Only one of the crossings, on Glendale Road (Maryland 193) in
Prince George's County, is in the State highway system. The others
are in county roads systems.

"With the inauguration of the high speed rail service now scheduled
for the last Sunday in April, 1968, each of these crossings will become
critical safety hazards, " Governor Agnew said. "Neither the State nor
the counties have funds which are available or could be used to finance
the improvements.

"I agree with the State Roads Commission that since the Federal
Department of Transportation is supplying $11. 6 million of the $56. 6
million cost of the two-year demonstration program, it is incumbent
upon the Federal government to assume responsibility for hazards
that will be created or intensified by the high speed trains. "