Amtrak has recently announced a significant development in the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program. The company has awarded a contract to the Kiewit/J.F. Shea Joint Venture to construct a modern passenger rail tunnel in Baltimore. This project is a crucial step towards addressing the major bottleneck on the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.
The construction of the new tunnel, scheduled to commence in 2026, marks a significant milestone for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program. The initiative aims to modernize and transform a 10-mile section of the Northeast Corridor. The new tunnel, named in honor of civil rights leader Frederick Douglass, will serve electrified Amtrak and MARC commuter trains.
Amtrak’s Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery Laura Mason, expressed the company’s progress, stating, ‘We are one step closer to unlocking the biggest passenger rail bottleneck on the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and New Jersey. This would not be possible without historic funding through the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, as well as continued support from the Biden-Harris Administration, FRA and our funding partners at Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA).’
Maryland Governor Wes Moore also emphasized the significance of the project, stating, ‘The new Frederick Douglass Tunnel will generate fresh opportunities for Marylanders and help secure our transportation future. This project marks an important step forward in our work to build strong pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all — while investing in critical infrastructure throughout the state. I’m grateful for the partnership of the Biden-Harris Administration and all of the stakeholders who have come together to make this vision a reality.’
The new tunnel, situated just south of Baltimore Penn Station, will feature two parallel, single-track tunnel tubes, each approximately two miles long. It is designed to accommodate electrified passenger trains and enable much faster travel speeds compared to the existing tunnel, where trains are currently limited to maximum speeds of 30 mph due to the tight curves.
The overall Program, expected to be completed by 2035, will involve three major construction contracts, including the replacement of five roadway and rail bridges, the construction of new rail infrastructure, and the building of a new ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC Station. The investments are projected to enhance travel times for over 12 million annual Amtrak and MARC passengers who rely on the Northeast Corridor.
Upon its completion, the Frederick Douglass Tunnel will stand as the first new passenger rail tunnel built on the Northeast Corridor in decades, offering improved transportation facilities for the region.
