I'd like to thank Kevin Rector for showing how shipping crude oil by rail affects Maryland in his article "In some Maryland railroad towns, crude oil is an open secret" (Dec. 25). Maryland's flawed transportation system heightens the serious dangers already associated with transporting crude oil by rail.
The freight rail system criss-crosses with the highway system in many cases, and some crossings are badly deteriorating. As we move more crude oil by rail, spills are on the rise — in 2013 alone railroads spilled 1.15 million gallons of crude in the U.S., compared with 800,000 gallons over the previous 35 years.
Instead of expensive and unnecessary highway expansion projects like Route 210, Gov.-elect Larry Hogan should focus highway spending on repairing our current infrastructure.
Matthew Wellington
The writer is Maryland PIRG campaign organizer.