Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program
Construction Updates

Upcoming Activities – Week of April 6, 2025

Clearing and Grubbing

Contractors will clear and remove vegetation such as trees, shrubs and brush, roots, stumps, and other materials to provide a solid base and better visibility – preparing the area for site work to begin in new areas. Work can be expected to:

• Continue at the intersection of N Payson St. and Riggs Ave
• Begin along the 800 block of Spedden St. the week of April 7th

Early Mobilization for Utility Siphon Tunnel

Starting in early April, crews will mobilize on the 800 block of Spedden Street in preparation for construction of a utility siphon – a small tunnel – that will relocate existing utilities under the existing Amtrak Northeast corridor railroad tracks. 

• To mobilize, they will install fencing and bring equipment and materials to the site.
• There may be increased activity along Spedden St, N Pulaski St, W Lanvale St, and W Lafayette Ave as work ramps up.
• We will provide detour signage and/or flaggers to indicate any traffic modifications and help motorists and pedestrians through the area.

Test Blasting

Starting in mid-April, crews will begin preparing for the drill and blast operations to excavate for the utility siphon tunnel. The contractors will complete small, controlled test blasts to along Pulaski St to confirm work operates as designed.

Pile Driving and Excavation

This week, crews will begin installing steel sheet pilings that support the areas being excavated (dug) for upcoming utility relocations, weather permitting.

• Work will occur behind the 900 block of N Payson Street.
• Pile driving will take approximately two weeks to complete in this area.
• Residents can expect elevated noise from construction activities and moving equipment, such as jackhammering and equipment backup alerts.

Ongoing Activities

Crews continue to survey the area, complete preconstruction inspections, install instrumentation and monitoring devices, complete utility investigations and work in manholes throughout the project area. Work continues on N Pulaski, W Lanvale, and N Brice Streets.

Crews continue to install water lines along N. Payson and N. Pulaski Streets

Impacted residents will receive additional notification prior to any expected water shut offs. 

Traffic Modifications

• Full road closure of N Pulaski Street between Lafayette Avenue and Harlem Avenue

Amtrak is committed to conducting this work in a manner that is least disruptive to the community. For your safety, we ask that you please keep all children and pets away from the construction area.

During construction, you can expect:

• Workers and construction vehicles in and around the construction site
• Increased noise levels, consistent with typical construction activity
• Intermittent closure of sidewalks and walkways
• Temporary parking restrictions, when needed

PLEASE NOTE: 

Crews generally work Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm, weather permitting. 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.