Construction for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program kicked off in 2023 following funding commitments from the federal government, Amtrak and the State of Maryland. Early construction activities and demolition have begun, several construction contracts have been awarded, and major construction activities are set to start in 2024.
This Program will upgrade a 10-mile section of the Northeast Corridor, America’s busiest passenger rail line. The Program will include the construction of a new twin-tube tunnel designed for electric passenger trains, a new fully ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC Station, modern supporting railroad infrastructure like tracks and signals, and more. Program completion is scheduled for 2035.
The Baltimore & Potomac (B&P) Tunnel is built, an impressive engineering feat at the time.
June 1873As early as 1915, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) considers building new tunnels parallel to the existing B&P and Union Tunnels to provide additional capacity and alleviate traffic congestion. While these plans do not come to fruition, the PRR makes some upgrades to the existing tunnel, including lowering the floor to accommodate new, larger trains, and upgrading the track to modern standards at the time.
1910sPRR announced plans in 1928 to electrify its railroad in the Baltimore area and commence with an improvement project that included the elimination of grade crossings, widening the main line to three and four tracks, and construction of two new tunnels (to replace the B&P and Union tunnels). The line was electrified by 1935. Thanks to financial assistance from the federal Public Works Administration, PRR eliminated grade crossings, widened its main line and built the new Union Tunnel. A new B&P Tunnel, however, proved to be too expensive.
1928-1935In the late 1970s, the B&P Tunnel is inspected and evaluated as part of the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project.
1970sAmtrak undertakes a rehabilitation of the B&P Tunnel funded by the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project, with the understanding that a full replacement is likely necessary in the future. This project was limited to repair of the tunnel lining, drainage improvements, and installation of a new, improved track system.
1980-1983Congress mandates FRA to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Baltimore region’s complex rail system. As a result of this mandate, FRA completed two studies:
These studies examined potential alignments for the replacement tunnel, including what is now the current Program alignment and concluded that "the physical condition of the existing B&P Tunnel requires that it be rebuilt or replaced within the next 10-20 years.”
2001-2011FRA (as the lead federal agency) and MDOT (as the recipient of initial FRA grant funding to study replacement of the existing B&P Tunnel), conduct an extensive environmental review process to replace the existing B&P Tunnel, including consideration of effects to historic properties along the proposed alternatives’ alignments.
During this process, FRA and MDOT collect public comments at eight public open houses and hearings attended by 350 individuals, conduct 10 community meetings attended by 198 members of the public, and provide more than 20 elected official briefings.
2014-2016FRA, the Maryland State Historic Preservation Officer, Amtrak, and Preservation Maryland execute a Project Programmatic Agreement (PA) on March 2, 2017, regarding the new tunnel project, concluding the Section 106 review process, laying out stipulations for the treatment of historic properties to mitigate adverse effects and establish processes to conduct archaeological studies and consider future project changes as the Program progresses.
2017Following the execution of the PA, FRA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) in March 2017, selecting the new tunnel alignment and other features as the "Selected Alternative." This decision, based on economic, environmental, and technical factors, was chosen for its balance between the project's Purpose and Need and its potential environmental impacts.
The Selected Alternative includes eliminating sharp curves in the current alignment for increased train speeds and constructing a new ADA-compliant West Baltimore MARC Station. Amtrak is designated as the Project Sponsor, required to create a $50 million Community Investment Program to mitigate construction impacts, part of 43 mitigation commitments outlined in the ROD.
FRA's approval allows Amtrak to begin construction once funding is identified and allocated.
2017Amtrak launches a separate project to rehabilitate the B&P Tunnel, undertaking preventive maintenance work that is critical to keep the existing B&P Tunnel in good working condition until the new tunnel is built. Crews replace 1,000 feet of track slab and block ties and renew tracks inside the tunnel that have deteriorated due to age and water infiltration.
2020Amtrak (as Project Sponsor) and MDOT (as the project partner) name the new tunnel after Maryland-born Frederick Douglass, with support from the Douglass family.
At the same time, Amtrak and MDOT announce a new Program approach that splits the Program into two phases:
To enable Phase 1 of this new plan, MDOT announces a commitment to electrify its MARC commuter trains that will operate through the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel.
Under Phase 1, freight trains will continue to operate in the existing B&P Tunnel.
2021In 2022, the FRA approves “NEPA Re-Evaluation No.1” that confirms the new two-phased approach would result in minimal overall changes in environmental impacts compared to the original plan. As a result, FRA concludes that the FEIS and ROD for the Program remain valid.
The NEPA Re-Evaluation No. 1 acknowledges that no timeframe has been established for initiating construction of Phase 2. It also states that “prior to proceeding with Phase 2, approvals from the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland as well as financial commitments from Amtrak and the State of Maryland will be required and it is not certain when, or if, such approvals and commitments will be secured.”
Program design, planning and public outreach continues for the Program, including meetings with residents, community associations, elected officials and other project stakeholders.
2022Amtrak joins President Biden, Maryland elected officials and Program partners and stakeholders in early 2023 as Amtrak and the State of Maryland execute the Project Kickoff Agreement and celebrate the signing of a Project Labor Agreement that governs terms and conditions of employment for workers constructing the Program. Early construction activities begin in Spring 2023 with initial track work south of the new tunnel alignment.
2023In February, FRA awards Amtrak a $4.7 billion federal grant funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act . Combined with local match funding commitments from Amtrak ($727 million) and the State of Maryland ($450 million), the Program is now fully funded and ready for construction to begin.
2023In April, Amtrak awarded its first "delivery partner" contract, the first major construction contract for this Program focused on the Southern Approach, which includes rail infrastructure upgrades, a new accessible West Baltimore MARC Station and more.
2023Amtrak joins the Biden-Harris Administration and Maryland Governor Wes Moore for a “Baltimore Workforce Hub” event where Amtrak commits to a local hiring preference on the Program – a first for Amtrak. Amtrak also commits to partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and the Baltimore Workforce Funder’s Collaborative to identify and expand pathways towards creating good-paying jobs for the Program.
2023Amtrak awards another major construction contract – this one is for the new tunnel – and begins initial demolition of properties owned by Amtrak early in the year. Preparation continues for major construction activities to begin later in the year.
Coinciding with the start of demolition, Amtrak Assistant Vice President Luigi Rosa and Senior Director of Community Engagement Danelle Hunter publish a letter to the West Baltimore community committing to providing community updates and opportunities to stay informed throughout Program construction.
2024For additional information about the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program, email [email protected] or call (443) 423-1115 to speak to a member of the program team.
