Groundbreaking on a new fire station in Parkton, near the commuter parking lot on Middletown Road, is scheduled for today.

The $5.5 million station will replace the existing Parkton Station No. 60, located since the early 1980s on Stablers Church Road in a trailer and garage. That station was intended to be a temporary response to the needs of the growing area, according to fire officials.

The Parkton facility, which offers 24-hour medical service, is the only career station in northern Baltimore County.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in February 2009.