694 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

Private construction firms would be eligible for loans for develop-
ment and site improvements prior to construction.

In assigning priorities, the Authority would consider the need for
such housing in a particular area, the time in which a project can be
built and the number of families it can accommodate, the availability
of Federal aid, and the compatibility of a project with State, regional
and local planning for that area.

NEWS RELEASE AND STATEMENT ON SAFETY

CONTROLS AT GRADE CROSSINGS OF

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD

February 21, 1968

Governor Agnew announced today that the State will institute
strict new safety controls at 16 grade crossings in Maryland in the
path of the Pennsylvania Railroad's high speed train Demonstration
Program scheduled to start this spring.

"Although only two of these crossings are on the State Highway
System, I am authorizing the State Roads Commission to expend
$150, 000 immediately from Critical Funds to start planning and in-
stalling these safety devices, " the Governor said.

"Until we can actually eliminate the crossings with grade separa-
tions — an expensive and long-range process — we must take what
steps we can to insure the safety of motorists using them. I have good
reason to believe that Federal agencies will assist us in this project. "

The Governor said the SRC's plans call for special advance warning
systems, experimental barriers, new signing and pavement markings
to warn motorists. The overall cost of the interim program is estimated
at $300, 000.

Jerome B. Wolff, Chairman-Director of the State Roads Commission,
who met with Federal officials this week on the matter, said they in-
dicated that they will attempt to allocate new Federal funds to supple
ment the State's expenditures on temporary safety controls.

The meeting resulted from a request by Governor Agnew last month
that the Federal government provide the f!5 million necessary to
eliminate the crossings since it is subsidizing the high speed train proj-