


By Matt McCleskey
Metro is on track to get $150 million dollars in federal funding for safety upgrades.
Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin of Maryland announced today the money is included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, which was approved by a House-Senate Conference Committee for fiscal year 2010.
In a statement, Mikulski says safety is the top priority following the red line crash in June that killed eight passengers and a train operator. Cardin says the dedicated funding confirms the federal government's financial commitment to Metro. The money will be matched by D.C., Virginia, and Maryland.
The bill also includes language directing the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to make recommendations on strengthening the federal role in regulating commuter rail systems nationwide.

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