First Street Tunnel & A-Interlocking Upgrades

Program Status

In Construction

Pause for Progress temporary outage announced from October 16–26, 2026 to replace aging track components and improve reliability along the Northeast Corridor and into the Southeast.

Estimated Program Completion

2026

Benefits

  • Replaces track switches, improves tunnel infrastructure and replaces electrical systems
  • Tunnel infrastructure
  • Safer, more reliable rail service
  • Fewer delays over time
  • A stronger, more dependable rail network

Latest Milestone

Amtrak announced Pause for Progress, a 9-day outage in October of 2026 where replacement work will take place

Program Partners

U.S. DOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Virginia Passenger Rail Association

From Oct. 16–26, planned infrastructure upgrades south of Washington, DC’s Union Station will result in schedule adjustments impacting service to and from Virginia. We appreciate your patience as we make improvements for more reliable service ahead. View Amtrak schedule adjustments here.

A-Interlocking is a critical track and control point within the First Street Tunnel below Washington Union Station. This section of track is responsible for routing all Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train movements between Washington Union Station and Virginia. The existing switches and crossovers are beyond their service life, requiring a 10-mph speed restriction that impacts operations. Infrastructure upgrades are designed to address those limitations and help prevent larger, unplanned service disruptions.

Once work is completed in October of 2026, customers will experience improved safety and reliability, fewer delays and better on-time performance, and infrastructure that will withstand future demand. Amtrak is replacing outdated switches and crossovers, rehabilitating the tunnel track base and installing modern electric switch systems.