Construction Updates

Latest Construction Updates

July 19, 2026

We are committed to delivering this Program with your safety as our top priority.

To maintain progress on this critical program, weekend work will occur across the project area in the coming weeks. Residents may notice increased construction activity during these times.

Upcoming Activities

Sanitary Sewer Line Installation
In early July, crews will begin working on Brice St between W Lanvale St and W Lafayette Ave to install a sanitary sewer line. While we will maintain pedestrian access to homes during construction, there will be periods of time when the sidewalk may be closed. Please use caution when traveling through this area.

Residents can also expect:
• Parking restrictions
• An increase of construction crews, equipment, and noise
• Flaggers directing traffic

Rayner Ave Roadway Repaving
On or about July 21st, contractors will begin repaving the roadway on the 2000 block of Rayner Ave between N Pulaski St and N Payson St to restore the roadway to its pre-construction condition. Please adhere to all posted “No Parking” and directional signage to safely navigate the area. Access to homes will be maintained during this activity.

Residents can expect:
• Temporary “No Parking” restrictions within the work area
• A partial roadway closure. Access to residences will be maintained during this activity

Sheet Pile Removal Operations
As work continues on the 900 block of N Payson St, crews will begin removing the temporary sheet piles previously installed in the ground. Residents can expect increased noise, vibration, and construction activity while this work is underway.

Utility Surveys
Contractors will be conducting utility surveys in preparation for upcoming utility relocations at the intersection of W North Ave and Pennsylvania Ave, as well as along I-83 between Exit 5 (Maryland Ave) and Exit 7 (28th Street/Druid Park Lake Drive). These activities may require temporary lane modifications and detours. Survey activities are anticipated to begin in mid-2026, with additional details to be shared as work progresses.

Ongoing Activities

Laurens St Early Work
Contractors continue to install fencing near the intersection of Laurens St and N Fulton Ave as well as the intersection of Laurens St and N Monroe St. This work will help establish a defined work zone and support upcoming project operations in the area.

Residents may notice:
• Increase of equipment in the area
• Intermittent activity during installation

Early Mobilization on N Payson St
Crews continue early mobilization activities in the 1000 block of N Payson St to support upcoming work. Activities may include but are not limited to: staging of materials, equipment mobilization, installation of fencing and sound barriers, clearing and grubbing, removing concrete slabs, and general site preparation.

Jet Grouting Work
Contractors are currently performing jet grout work near the corner of N Payson St and Riggs Ave, on the 1000 block of N Payson Street. Jet grouting is a construction method used to strengthen and stabilize underground soil by injecting grout at high pressure below the surface. Work in this area is expected to continue for approximately six months. Typical work hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional extended hours and weekend work as needed.

What You Can Expect:
• Construction noise comparable to truck traffic
• Construction equipment and crews active in the area
• Intermittent sidewalk or lane impacts near the work zone

N Payson St Crane Mobilization
Crews will be using a crane to support ongoing utility replacement activities in the 900 block of N Payson St. The crane will be used to safely lift and place materials and equipment needed for underground infrastructure work within the construction zone. Flaggers will be working to indicate traffic modifications. Please follow posted signage and use caution when traveling through the area.

N Payson St Closure Between W Lafayette Ave and Mosher St
Contractors are currently working on the 900 block of N Payson St. To complete this vital work and advance the project, crews have closed N Payson St between W Lafayette Ave and Mosher St. Contractors have installed sound barriers to help reduce construction noise impacts to the surrounding area. Please adhere to all posted ‘no-parking’ signage.

N Payson St Closure Between Lanvale St and Rayner Ave
Contractors have started waterline replacement work and have temporarily closed the 700 block of N Payson St.

Residents can expect:
• No parking permitted in this work area.
• Intermittent sidewalk restrictions.

Please adhere to all “no parking” signage and follow directional signs to safely navigate the area.

Utility Siphon Tunnel Activities
Crews are continuing work at the utility siphon – the small tunnel that will relocate existing utilities under the existing Amtrak Northeast Corridor railroad tracks. They are working on the 700 block of N Pulaski St and behind the 800 block of Spedden St. All work is within fenced areas.

W Mulberry Street
Construction activities will continue along W. Mulberry Street as crews continue utility improvements and bridge construction activities. Work next week will include excavation, installation of the new storm drain system and associated manholes, utility relocation activities and structural work associated with the bridge abutments.

N Warwick Avenue Activities
Contractors will continue mobilizing to conduct site work along N Warwick Ave between W Lexington St and W Franklin St. Please note that this work will occur in multiple areas both west and east of Warwick Ave. Activities include installing fencing, delivering materials, and pile driving.

Residents and road users can expect:
• Lane closures, traffic pattern shifts, and flaggers on N Warwick Ave
• Heavy equipment and construction crews working on site
• Noise and construction crews in the area
• Weekend work

McMechen St Activities
Crews continue to perform construction activities along McMechen St near the MTA Light Rail station. This utility relocation work is in preparation for the tunnel’s future north portal and ventilation facility. This work includes roadway utility excavation and installation.

Users can expect:
• Lane closures, traffic pattern shifts, and flaggers on McMechen St and W North Ave
• Heavy equipment and construction crews working on site
• Noise, dust, and debris associated with demolition, excavation, and utility installation activities

Erosion and Sediment Controls
To control stormwater flows leaving the construction site, contractors have installed temporary asphalt berms near the intersection of Harlem Ave and N Pulaski St. Drivers are advised to slow travel speeds as they move along these roads.

Other Construction Activities
Work continues on N Pulaski St, W Lanvale St, W Lexington Ave, W North Ave, N Brice St, McMechen St, W Mulberry St, and N Warwick Ave primarily within fenced areas. While much of the activity is not immediately visible to the community, crews remain active throughout these construction zones.

Other Traffic Modifications
• Full road closure of N Pulaski St between W Lafayette Ave and Harlem Ave
• Full road closure of W Mulberry St between N Warwick Ave and N Smallwood St

We will provide detour signage and/or flaggers to indicate any traffic modifications and help motorists and pedestrians navigate through construction areas

PLEASE NOTE:
Crews will generally work Monday through Saturday from 7:00am to 5:00pm unless working extended hours. There may be times when crews will work outside of daytime hours in order to maintain the project schedule. Construction activities are subject to change, and modifications to the schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Please use caution when traveling in construction areas.

Amtrak is committed to keeping you informed and providing you with updates regarding construction activities related to the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program that may impact your neighborhood.

You may have recently noticed work crews in your community. They are conducting soil borings across the Program alignment as a continuation of our pre-construction activities for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program.

Here’s What to Expect

  • The soil boring work involves the use of a drill rig.
  • In preparation for the work start, “No Parking” signs will be placed in the area where the drill rig will need to be set up. Please heed the “No Parking” signs. Please understand towing vehicles is our option of last resort, but it will be enforced if needed.
  • The soil boring work will take 5-10 days before moving to its next location, but schedules can be variable due to weather or other unforeseen interruptions.
  • You should expect noise levels consistent with drilling activities with increased noise levels in basements adjacent to the work.
 

Why This Work is Needed

The soil boring process is a pre-construction activity that involves the use of a drill rig drilling a hole into the ground to retrieve a soil sample, which is tested to determine how suitable the soil is for construction.

Questions

For additional information on the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program please email us at FDTunnel@Amtrak.com or call 443-423-1115.

The Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program will modernize and transform a 10-mile section of the Northeast Corridor to improve rail service reliability, reduce travel times, and support economic and community development in West Baltimore.

Read Amtrak's Full Notice Here

The acquisition of properties for the construction of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program (Program) began in 2023.  In total, 47 properties (residential and commercial) will be demolished. Starting in Spring 2024, demolition contractors K&K Adams and Delaware Cornerstone Builders began to demolish acquired properties to support Program construction.

Here’s What to Expect

Contractor crews will mobilize demolition machinery and install fencing lined with screening fabric around sites to be demolished.  Each site may take approximately two to three weeks to complete but the timelines vary depending on unique site conditions, weather, and any unexpected site discoveries. Typical work hours are Monday through Saturday 8am to 5pm with the possibility of Sunday work if needed. Both contractors have secured approved areas for their equipment to be stored at night.

Important Information Related to the Demolition Work

The contractors are experienced in performing demolition work and are familiar with all applicable industry standards for safety and the rules and regulations required by OSHA, Maryland Department of the Environment, and the City of Baltimore for these permitted activities. In addition to the actual demolition work, each contractor will:

  • Safeguard utilities
  • Control rodents
  • Manage asbestos
  • Salvage and remove usable items
  • Control dust
  • Monitor vibrations

Each contractor has a detailed workplan for each group of properties to be demolished, including how adjacent properties will be protected during this process. After demolition is complete, the contractors will install permanent fencing.

Questions

For additional information on the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program please visit our website fdtunnel.com, email us at FDTunnel@Amtrak.com, or call 443-423-1115.

Previous Construction Notices

2026

2025

2024

2023

Stay in Touch

For additional information, email bptunnel@amtrak.com or call (443) 423-1115 to speak to a member of the program team.