Business & Tech

Amtrak to Install Heavy-Duty Fence in Middle River

Improved fencing will include stretch of track where 14-year-old Anna Marie Stickel was killed in 2010.

Amtrak is installing a heavy steel, 8-foot high, high security fence along a portion of its high-speed tracks in Middle River where a 14-year-old girl was killed in January 2010.

Beginning in late-April, work will commence on the installation of new fencing on both sides of the tracks from Martin Boulevard southwest to where it meets up with an existing fence.  

A portion of the existing fence also will be replaced.  In all, more than 6,400-feet of fencing will be installed and additional "No Trespassing" signs will be posted to deter access to the railroad track.

The $3.1 million project will take approximately six months to complete. When completed, there will be nearly two miles of continuous fencing from Martin Boulevard to Stemmers Run Road.

This is the portion of the track where Anna Marie Stickel was struck and killed by an Amtrak train while walking along the tracks while taking an unauthorized shortcut to Kenwood High School that was popular among many students for years.

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Individuals may also use the pedestrian underpass at Martin Boulevard, which will also be improved as part of the project, to safely cross to the other side of the tracks. 

"The new fence will make it harder for a person to access the tracks, but to achieve maximum safety individuals must make the right decision to stay off the tracks and not use it as a shortcut," said Amtrak Chief of Police John O'Connor, in a statement.

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The improvements come after months of lobbying by Anna's mother, Tara Stickel, along with Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger for Amtrak to make improvements in safety conditions along that portion of the track. Tara Stickel pushed heavily for safety improvements earlier this year at.

"I don't know that I can necessarily contribute what happened to my Anna as their reasoning, but I do like to think that it helped make the decision easier for them," Tara Stickel said. "We have wanted this for so long; it doesn't matter their reason. I just like to think that Anna is watching down feeling quite proud."

Added Ruppersberger in a statement: "I am pleased Amtrak is taking these significant steps, building taller and stronger fencing. I thank everyone who had a role in this project, working together to make Middle River a safer community for everyone."

The section of track where the fence is being installed includes Acela Express and Northeast Regional service which operate at speeds up to 125 mph as well as some freight train traffic.

Amtrak also participates in Operation Lifesaver, a national, non-profit organization that promotes education, enforcement and engineering solutions to prevent trespasser incidents.

Amtrak's work in Middle River includes the installation of the new fence, community outreach by the Amtrak Police Department to the local high school and local law enforcement, and active police patrols of the area by Amtrak and Baltimore County Police.


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