Jump to content


Photo

CSX Baltimore Howard Street Tunnel clearance improvement


  • Please log in to reply
45 replies to this topic

#1 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 17 April 2016 - 05:26 AM

The Baltimore (MD) Sun, 4/14/16:
 

Maryland seeks $155 million from feds to clear freight bottleneck beneath Baltimore

 

The state and the railroad CSX Transportation have agreed to a plan to remove a bottleneck for freight shipping beneath the streets of Baltimore and have requested $155 million in federal funding to help pay for the project they say will boost the Maryland economy.

 

State and railroad officials have pledged to contribute $270 million toward expanding the 1.7-mile Howard Street Tunnel. The additional clearance would allow shipping containers from the port of Baltimore, for the first time, to be stacked two-high atop trains, a far more efficient way to move them.

 

Continue here.



#2 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 25 October 2016 - 10:17 AM

Progressive Railroading,10/25/16:

 

 
CSX, Maryland agree to pursue Howard Street Tunnel project

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and CSX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Ward have agreed to find a way to expand CSX's Howard Street Tunnel underneath Baltimore, state officials announced yesterday.

Hogan and Ward reconfirmed their commitments to make the necessary infrastructure adjustments to allow for double-stacked container trains to move to and from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, according to a press release issued by Hogan's office.

 

Continue here.



#3 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 11 November 2017 - 04:18 PM

The Baltimore Sun,  11/1/17:
 

CSX decides not to seek expansion of Howard Street Tunnel

 

 

CSX Transportation withdrew its support for a long-awaited expansion of the aging Howard Street Tunnel under downtown, causing state officials to cancel a request for $155 million in federal money for a project they hoped would be a boon for the port of Baltimore.

 

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based railroad — successor to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad — did not explain why it was turning its back on the project, which would have expanded the century-old tunnel to accommodate trains with shipping containers stacked two-high.

 

In a statement, CSX attributed the decision to “Precision Scheduled Railroading,” its new operating plan, which involves reviewing “use and development of existing and planned infrastructure projects.”

 

Continue here wWMAR-TV video report.



#4 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 26 December 2017 - 11:40 AM

Progressive Railroading, 12/22/17:

 
CSX reopens dialogue with partners on Howard Street Tunnel project

A little more than a month after dropping plans to help develop and fund an expansion to the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore, CSX has reentered discussions about the project with state and local partners.

The long-planned tunnel reconstruction and clearance project calls for eliminating height restrictions to enable double-stacked intermodal trains to move to and from the Port of Baltimore.

 

Continue here.



#5 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 10 September 2018 - 01:40 PM

Progressive Railroading,8/10/18:

 

 
Maryland lawmakers request CSX update on Howard Street Tunnel plan
 

Maryland's Democratic congressional delegation has asked CSX Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer James Foote for a status report on the proposed Howard Street Tunnel project in Baltimore.

In December 2017, CSX reentered discussions about the project with state and local partners after dropping out of the talks in November. CSX and the state previously agreed to provide a combined $270 million toward the estimated $425 million total cost. The state would seek federal funds to pay for the remainder.
 
The long-planned tunnel reconstruction and clearance project would eliminate height restrictions to enable double-stacked intermodal trains to move to and from the Port of Baltimore.

 

Continue here.



#6 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 17 December 2018 - 03:05 PM

Progressive Railroading, 12/17/18:

 
Howard Street Tunnel project back on with CSX support, Maryland delegation says

 

 

CSX has reversed an earlier decision and determined the Class I will participate in a project to upgrade the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore, Maryland federal and local officials announced late last week.

Railroad officials appeared to "walk away" from the proposal about a year ago, and are now willing to commit $91 million toward the tunnel project's cost, Maryland's congressional delegation said in a press release.

"We are pleased that CSX has reversed its position on the Howard Street Tunnel project and is once again supportive and willing to participate," said U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) in a press release.

 

The long-planned tunnel reconstruction and clearance project would eliminate height restrictions to enable double-stacked intermodal trains to move to and from the Port of Baltimore. Baltimore and port officials have said the project is central to the port's future and the region's economy.

 

Continue here.



#7 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 20 December 2018 - 02:42 PM

Freight Waves, 12/18/19:
 

CSX to double-stack trains through Baltimore after century-old tunnel is fixed

 

Project first suggested in 2002 may yet go forward as Port of Baltimore vies for hinterland freight movements.

 

 

CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) is reversing course with a pledge of new funding to a long-delayed tunnel improvement project in Maryland, one that will allow the rail carrier to finally move double-stack trains through the Port of Baltimore.

 

CSX, the third largest railroad company by revenue, and the state of Maryland are together committing $290 million to the Howard Street Tunnel project, according to the state’s department of transportation.

 

The Howard Street Tunnel is a 1.4-mile, single-track line that connects to the Port of Baltimore. The tunnel is the longest active underground train route on the U.S. East Coast. But due to its low height, the 121-year old tunnel is only able to accommodate single-stack trains currently.

 

A heightening project for Howard Street has been table since 2002 in an effort to reduce traffic on Interstate 95.  .  .  .

 

Continue here.



#8 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 05 March 2019 - 05:12 PM

The Baltimore Sun, 3/4/19:
 

Maryland, CSX apply again for federal funding for Howard Street Tunnel expansion in Baltimore

 

 

Maryland and CSX Transportation have submitted another application for federal money to heighten the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore so it can fit shipping containers stacked two-high on freight trains — a project long sought by the port of Baltimore, officials announced Monday.

 

The cost of heightening the tunnel and 22 bridges between Baltimore and Philadelphia, initially estimated to be in the billions, is $466 million. The railroad and the state have agreed to chip in more than half of that amount — $147 million from the state, and $91 million from CSX. They are asking the federal government to pay the remaining $228 million.

 

While previous requests for federal funding for the tunnel expansion have gone unfulfilled, Gov. Larry Hogan called it “an essential project for the Port of Baltimore, State of Maryland, and the entire East Coast.”

 

Continue here.



#9 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 06 March 2019 - 11:57 AM

Progressive Railroading, 3/5/19:

 
Maryland seeks federal grant to fund Howard Street Tunnel project

 

 

PortBaltimore.jpg

The tunnel reconstruction and clearance project would eliminate height restrictions to enable double-stacked intermodal trains to move to and from the Port of Baltimore. Photo – Port of Baltimore

 

Maryland state officials applied for a federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant to help fund the rebuilding of the Howard Street rail tunnel in Baltimore, Gov. Larry Hogan announced yesterday.

The governor's announcement and grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation follows his administration's year-long negotiations with CSX to restore the state and CSX partnership to rebuild the tunnel, state officials said in a press release.

 

Continue here.



#10 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 06 March 2019 - 12:00 PM

MD Gov. Larry Hogan press release 3/4/19:

 
Applications for Double-Stack Howard Street Tunnel, Next Phase of I-81 in Western Maryland

 

Projects Will Break Major East Coast Rail Bottleneck, Improve Mobility of I-81

 

 

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland has submitted an application for a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) INFRA grant to double-stack the Howard Street Tunnel and assisted Washington County in submitting its INFRA grant application for I-81/Halfway Boulevard Freight Connection in Western Maryland.

 

The INFRA grant application submission for the Howard Street Tunnel follows the Hogan administration’s year-long negotiations with CSX to restore the State of Maryland/CSX partnership to rebuild the Howard Street Tunnel that was delayed by previous CSX leadership in October 2017. Reconstructing CSX’s 124-year-old tunnel will break a rail bottleneck that impacts the entire East Coast and finally allow double-stack trains to reach the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

 

“This is an essential project for the Port of Baltimore, State of Maryland, and the entire East Coast,” said Governor Hogan. “Reconstructing the Howard Street Tunnel will create thousands of jobs, open up new trade lanes for the Port, and improve overall freight rail service across our nation. I’d like to thank our leadership team at the Port and CSX for their partnership and willingness to continue working with us on a solution. We look forward to working with our federal partners to make this transformative project a reality.”

 

Jim White, Executive Director for the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Maryland Port Administration, led the discussions for the State of Maryland. In addition to his advocacy for the project, the MDOT Howard Street Tunnel application received more than 100 endorsements across Maryland and up and the down the East Coast. MDOT received support letters from a vast range of people representing businesses, environmental groups, and government calling for federal funding to make necessary infrastructure adjustments to the Howard Street Tunnel.

 

“CSX is pleased to partner with Governor Hogan and the State of Maryland on the Howard Street Tunnel project to help improve our nation’s freight transportation system, maximize freight rail capacity, and increase intermodal connectivity between the northeastern and southeastern United States,” said James M. Foote, president and chief executive officer of CSX.

 

Height restrictions within CSX’s Howard Street Tunnel currently prevent the shipment of double-stacked intermodal containers (two shipping containers stacked on top of each other) by rail to and from the Port of Baltimore and up and down the East Coast. Double-stack provides a more cost-effective way to transport freight by rail than by truck. The added benefit is that it also will take more trucks off our interstates, reducing congestion along the entire I-95 corridor and delivering environmental benefits with less emissions and cleaner air by moving more freight by rail.

 

For years, reconstruction of the Howard Street Tunnel to accommodate double-stack intermodal trains was believed to cost between $1 billion and $3 billion and be highly disruptive to the surrounding community. By utilizing recent advances in construction technology, CSX and MDOT have determined it is now possible to provide double-stack clearance in the tunnel and under 22 bridges between Baltimore and Philadelphia for $466 million with minimal impact to the surrounding communities. CSX and the state have committed a combined minimum of $238 million toward this effort, with $147 million from the state and $91 million from CSX, and the state is seeking federal funds for the balance of the project cost.

 

With its supersized cranes and deep container berth, the Port of Baltimore is one of only a few East Coast ports that can accommodate the biggest ships in the world. The Port’s next goal is to allow trains carrying containers to be double-stacked, which would increase port business and maintain and grow jobs. The Port of Baltimore would handle approximately 80,000 additional containers annually once the Howard Street Tunnel is reconstructed.

 

A recent economic report shows record numbers for the public and private terminals in 2017. Among the nation’s ports, the Port of Baltimore ranks first for autos and light trucks, roll on/roll off heavy farm and construction machinery, and imported sugar. The Port ranks second in exported coal. Overall, the Port ranks ninth among all ports for the total dollar value of cargo and 12th in foreign cargo tonnage.

 

Business at the Port of Baltimore generates about 15,330 direct jobs, while more than 139,000 jobs in Maryland are linked to port activities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Port’s average annual salary for the direct job holder is 9.5 percent higher than the average annual wage for the State of Maryland. The Port is responsible for $3.3 billion in personal wages and salary and $395 million in state and local tax revenues. The Port of Baltimore generated $2.6 billion in business revenues.

 

In addition to submitting an INFRA grant application for the Howard Street Tunnel, the Hogan administration assisted Washington County in submitting its INFRA grant application for 1-81/Halfway Boulevard Freight Connection in Western Maryland to widen an additional 3.5 miles of the I-81 corridor between MD 63/MD 68 and Halfway Boulevard, including a segment of Halfway Boulevard. The state, local, and private investments are a combined commitment of $51 million for this INFRA grant, with a federal ask of $55 million for a total of a $106 million project. The $51 million match includes $42.6 million from the state, $3.2 million from the county, $1.4 million from private industry, and $3.8 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Governor Hogan announced the additional $5 million design funding for Phase 2 in December 2016. This project builds on the Hogan administration’s $103 million construction project, which began in the fall of 2016, to upgrade and widen Interstate 81 from US 11 in West Virginia to MD 63/MD 68 in Maryland. The $103 million construction project also includes widening and upgrading the bridges over the Potomac River, as well as the bridges over MD 63/MD 68. West Virginia will reimburse MDOT for $38 million of the total cost for widening I-81 on its side of the bridge. The project is on schedule and expected to be completed in 2020.

 

I-81 INFRA Grant Support Letter

Howard Street Tunnel INFRA Support Letter

CSX Letter

-###-

 






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users