The existing Amtrak Susquehanna River Bridge was built in 1906 and is nearing the end of its useful life. Conceptual design for its replacement began in 2013, followed by environmental review and engineering design that concluded in 2017. Amtrak awarded several major construction and demolition contracts in 2023, after the project was included as a high priority on the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Northeast Corridor Project Inventory. Project completion is expected in 2036 (including construction of both new bridges and demolition of the existing bridge).
Conceptual engineering and planning efforts begins in 2013. FRA, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), and Amtrak conduct a rigorous alternatives development and screening process. The Project Team identifies several conceptual alternatives based on engineering design factors such as railroad geometry, design speed, waterway navigational clearances, grades/inclines, span layouts and other nearby planned projects. Amtrak invites stakeholders and the public to suggest other alternatives and retain an independent engineering firm to identify any other feasible alternatives. The alternatives vary in the number of new bridges, vertical and horizontal alignments, number of tracks, bridge types (fixed vs. moveable), and more. Rehabilitating and/or repurposing the existing bridge is studied. A total of 25 alternatives are identified and thoroughly evaluated.
2013In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FRA, MDOT, and Amtrak complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) over three years of public review and outreach. As part of the environmental review process and in keeping with the requirements of NEPA and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Project Team considered the effects of the Project on environmental and cultural resources. This includes identifying any properties within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) listed (or eligible for listing) on the National Register of Historic Places. Section 106 also requires consultation with the Maryland State Historic Preservation Office. Coordination is also required with federally recognized Indian tribes that might attach religious and cultural significance to historic properties affected by the Project, and Section 106 consulting parties. The EA is broadly distributed to the public and agencies for review and comment.
2014-2017Detailed environmental reviews and extensive stakeholder outreach efforts culminate with FRA’s issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in May 2017. This milestone marks the end of the conceptual engineering and environmental review phase, and the beginning of the advanced engineering and permitting phase. The FONSI includes various environmental commitments Amtrak must adhere to. A Programmatic Agreement is executed between FRA, Maryland Historical Trust (and Amtrak to describe the historic and archeological commitments in detail.
2017The Project begins the advanced design phase in 2017. The Project is then put on temporary hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2017-2020Program design, planning and public outreach resumes for the Project, including meetings with residents, community associations, elected officials and other stakeholders.
2021The Project receives a grant award of $40 million for final design through an additional cooperative agreement between FRA, MDOT/MTA and Amtrak.
Aug. 2022FRA publishes the first-ever NEC Project Inventory, listing the Susquehanna River Bridge Replacement as one of 15 “Major Backlog” projects along the Northeast Corridor that are “necessary to achieve a state of repair.”
Nov. 2022FRA approves “NEPA Re-Evaluation No.1” which included changes in anticipated construction approach and limit of disturbance for the Project. As a result, FRA concludes that the FONSI for the Project remains valid.
Oct. 2023Amtrak is awarded up to $2.08 billion in construction funding from the FRA through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program.
Nov. 2023Amtrak selects a Flatiron-Herzog Joint Venture FHJV as the Construction Manager at Risk contractor for preconstruction services for the two new bridges and associated track work, as well as future construction packages. Amtrak also selects AECOM as the program management/construction management for the project to assist Amtrak with administering the preconstruction and construction phases. Fay Construction is selected to demolish and remove 10 remnant piers from the river, which remain from an 1866 railroad bridge that was located just east of the existing bridge.
Dec. 2023Fay Construction begins the remnant pier removal process with the installation of bird deterrent netting on the piers. This prevents birds from nesting on the structures prior to the scheduled removal.
Feb. 2024In July 2024, Amtrak joins the U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary, Havre de Grace Mayor, Perryville Mayor, MTA Administrator, and other state and local officials to mark the start of the Project. This event recognizes the start of the first pre-construction work to remove remnant bridge piers from the river.
Jul. 2024The Flatiron-Herzog JV hosts its first procurement outreach event for interested businesses to learn about Project-related opportunities.
Oct. 2024Amtrak’s contractor Fay Construction completes a key early construction milestone, removing the 10th and final remnant pier from the river. This critical early work package crossed the finish line on schedule and with zero safety incidents or lost time.
Nov. 2024Crews begin pre-construction activities such as noise and vibration monitoring, environmental surveys, geotechnical testing, and subsurface utility investigations to prepare for the start of major bridge construction.
2025While work will take place in phases (construction & opening of first new bridge, demolition of original bridge, and construction & opening of second new bridge), the full project is expected to wrap up in 2036 once the second new bridge opens.
2036For 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.
