Bush River Bridge Replacement

Program Status

Planning

Estimated Program Completion

Summer 2025: Planned initiation of PE and NEPA activities

2028: Planned completion of PE and NEPA

2030: Estimated Initiation of Construction

Latest Milestone

Summer 2024: Planning Consultant Contract Awarded

Upcoming Milestones

2025: Completion of planning & initiation of Preliminary Engineering and NEPA 

Funding Sources

FY22-23 Fed State Partnership Program with match by Amtrak and MDOT Maryland Transit Administration

Benefits

  • State of Good Repair (SOGR)
  • Maintaining reliable operations on the Northeast Corridor 
  • Increased Acela train speeds to 160 MPH. 
  • Increased capacity allowing for more frequent MARC and Amtrak service

Program Partners

MDOT Maryland Transit Administration

Contractors

Prime Planning Phase Contractor:
HNTB

Planning Phase Sub-Contractors:
Structural Design: Hardesty & Hanover, LLC

Permitting and Roadway Design: 
Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP
Utility Investigation: Exodigo
Constructability Planning: Genesis Structures
Wetlands and Natural Resources: Coastal Resources
Environmental Analysis: Dovetail Resource Group
Survey: GdB Geospatial LS

The Bush River Bridge is a critical component of the Northeast Corridor and carries over 100 trains per day. This century-old bridge is approaching the end of its useful life and is need of replacement to maintain reliable service and accommodate high-speed operations.

The Bush River Bridge Replacement Project will modernize a critical Northeast Corridor (NEC) component, replacing the century-old, half-mile, two-track movable bridge between Edgewood and Perryman, Maryland. The current structure, used by Amtrak, MARC, and Norfolk Southern, requires frequent maintenance, limits passenger train speeds to 125 mph, and demands a 20-person crew during summer weekends to open for marine traffic. The replacement will feature a modern, fixed-span structure capable of supporting speeds up to 160 mph, improving reliability, reducing maintenance needs, and shortening travel times for passengers between Washington, D.C., Boston, and other NEC destinations. In addition to the new bridge, the project includes upgrades to track alignment, signal systems, and electric traction infrastructure over a 10-mile NEC segment to support higher speeds and expand track capacity. These enhancements will improve operational efficiency and performance.

The Bush River Bridge Replacement Project abuts the Gunpowder River Bridge Replacement Project.