The proposed $4.5 billion project would replace the 144-year-old, two-track B&P tunnel, which is located between the West Baltimore MARC Station and Penn Station in Baltimore, Maryland. The tunnel is owned by Amtrak and also used by Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) trains and Norfolk Southern Railway trains.
In its ROD, the FRA selected the preferred alternative 3B and three ventilation facilities, one each at the North and South portals and an intermediate ventilation facility site at 900-940 West North Avenue.
The Ready to Build campaign showcases five critical investments - including the B&P Tunnel Replacement - that are vital to the realization of a renewed, modern passenger rail system.
Built just after the Civil War, the B&P Tunnel is one of the oldest and worst bottlenecks along the Northeast Corridor. Its capacity is constrained and sharp curvatures limit train speeds to 30 mph. The two-track tunnel will be replaced by a new tunnel that will allow for faster, more reliable and more frequent service.
Plan unveiled for new rail tunnel near Baltimore, to be named after Frederick Douglass
Amtrak and the Maryland Department of Transportation on Friday announced revised plans to replace the rail tunnel just south of Baltimore that’s been the cause of delays for years. And they’ll be naming it after the Maryland abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass.
Maryland’s money-pit rail tunnel set to be replaced
On June 18, Amtrak and the state of Maryland announced that the 148-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel will be replaced in the next 10 years at a cost of $4 billion. The passenger carrier and Maryland will work together to execute the project, which currently has no funding source. Amtrak is in the process of finishing the design and purchasing sections of right-of-way. Officials are saying the tunnel will carry electric-powered trains.
Interesting that freight trains will still use the old tunnel, despite it being deemed as structurally deficient. There aren't too many freight trains on the Amtrak right-of-way, but it's good they will be segregated to minimize disruptions.
And it should not be any news that the new tunnel will be electrified. The old one is. Amtrak would find a lot of its trains checking in to the tunnel and not checking out if that detail were overlooked. The intent of the articles might be that MARC will operate electric trains as they now run a lot of trains with diesel engines under the wires.
At Celebration of Amtrak’s 50th Anniversary, Governor Hogan Announces Maryland’s Commitment to Replace Aging B&P Tunnel
New Tunnel Expected to Generate 30,000 Jobs For Baltimore Region
ANNAPOLIS, MD—At an event this evening to mark Amtrak’s 50th anniversary, Governor Larry Hogan announced the State of Maryland’s commitment to working with Amtrak and the federal government to replace the aging B&P Tunnel in Baltimore City. The current 147-year-old tunnel is a critical part of the state’s transportation infrastructure, serving over 9 million customers annually on Amtrak and MARC service.
“I have directed Maryland Transportation Secretary Greg Slater to immediately advance discussions with Amtrak on an historic partnership to finally replace the 147-year old B&P Tunnel here in Baltimore,” said Governor Hogan. “This is a critical project for Baltimore, for the State of Maryland, and for the entire Northeast Corridor of the United States, and we plan to work with Amtrak and the federal government to move it forward as expeditiously as possible.”
The existing B&P Tunnel, which is the oldest tunnel on the Northeast Corridor, suffers from structural issues, a lack of fire and life safety systems, and requires excessive maintenance to keep in operation. It is currently the biggest rail bottleneck between Washington, D.C. and New Jersey and causes chronic delays for MARC passengers.
“Four of the most critical infrastructure projects in Maryland are the Howard Street Tunnel, Purple Line, American Legion Bridge, and B&P Tunnel with the B&P Tunnel being the last one to gain momentum,” said Secretary Greg Slater of the Maryland Department of Transportation. “The B&P Tunnel, American Legion Bridge, and Howard Street Tunnel are part of the nation’s aging infrastructure in need of major repairs or replacement.”
Construction of a new B&P Tunnel is expected to generate 30,000 jobs in the Baltimore region over 10 years, including 20,000 construction jobs. The project will allow for growth in train capacity and open the door for express train service in under 30 minutes between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Replacing the B&P Tunnel is the latest major transportation initiative advanced by the Hogan administration in Baltimore City, which also includes the Howard Street Tunnel project to break another major East Coast bottleneck and add up to 10,000 jobs in the region.
Maryland transportation officials reject startup’s long shot plan to reroute Amtrak trains through new tunnel under Baltimore
Maryland transportation officials have declined a quixotic plan proposed by a startup rail company to dig a tunnel through downtown Baltimore and reroute Amtrak trains through a downtown hub that would replace the city’s Penn Station.
AMTRAK LAUNCHES PROCUREMENT FOR UPCOMING MAJOR CONTRACT FOR THE B&P TUNNEL REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Milestone Marks Key Step Forward on the New Frederick Douglass Tunnel
WASHINGTON – Last week, Amtrak kicked off procurement phase for the $1+ billion Southern Approach construction package, which is the first of three major construction contracts for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program in Baltimore. Amtrak has issued a Request for Letters Of Interest (LOI) to the industry, indicating that this portion of the program will be completed under a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) delivery approach.
“This is a major milestone for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program and this contract includes several critical elements of the project,” said Amtrak’s Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery Laura Mason. “Amtrak will be procuring multiple construction contracts as part of the program, which will include the construction of the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel, and other supporting investments, such as new bridges and railroad infrastructure, improving this vital stretch of the Northeast Corridor for generations to come.”
Contractors interested in serving as the CMAR must complete the LOI in order to be eligible to receive the RFP (Request For Proposals) that will be issued for this portion of the project later this year. Amtrak will issue the RFP only to those contractors who have submitted timely and compliant LOIs. Interested contractors should visit Amtrak’s Procurement Portal located here for further information and submittal requirements.
Construction contracts of subsequent portions of the program will be procured separately. Amtrak continues to advance design, property acquisitions, and preparations for other smaller construction projects associated with the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, which will transform the Northeast Corridor in West Baltimore. The Program includes nearly $5 billion of construction, and after receipt of new federal funding created by last year’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Amtrak will be ready to complete early construction activities.
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Amtrak launches procurement phase for B&P Tunnel Replacement Program
Amtrak is working toward replacement of B&P Tunnel in Baltimore.
Amtrak has kicked off the procurement phase for the $1-plus billion Southern Approach construction package, which is the first of three major construction contracts for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program in Baltimore. Amtrak has issued a Request for Letters Of Interest (LOI) to the industry, indicating that this portion of the program will be completed under a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) delivery approach.
The B&P Tunnel, located in Baltimore, dates from the Civil War era. At nearly 150 years old, it is the oldest tunnel Amtrak inherited and a single point of failure for MARC’s busiest line (the Penn Line) and the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The 1.4-mile tunnel, connecting Baltimore’s Penn Station to Washington and Virginia, suffers from a variety of age-related issues such as excessive water infiltration, a deteriorating structure, and a sinking floor. There are no fire and life safety systems that help keep passengers safe in the event of emergencies, and excessive costly maintenance is required. Due to its age, delays are chronic — more than 10% of weekday trains are delayed, and delays occur on 99% of weekdays. The B&P Tunnel must be replaced to meet the needs of the 9 million MARC and Amtrak customers who rely on it annually.(Amtrak photo)
“This is a major milestone for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program and this contract includes several critical elements of the project,” said Laura Mason, Amtrak Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery. . . .
AmeriStarRail Proposes New Downtown Baltimore Tunnel and Station for Amtrak, MARC and Baltimore Crosstown Metro Trains
In a letter sent to Maryland Department of Transportation MTA, AmeriStarRail has proposed an innovative alternative to Amtraks proposed B&P Tunnel Replacement project.
