Maryland to receive $125M grant for tunnel improvements

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Maryland will receive $125 million from the federal Infrastructure For Rebuilding America Grant Program for revamping the 124-year-old Howard Street Tunnel.

The state’s application was submitted in March.

The project will eliminate the bottleneck at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, reduce congestion along the entire I-95 corridor and reduce fuel emissions.

The state will partner with railroad CSX Transport to allow double-stacking of intermodal shipping containers in the tunnel. Currently, height restrictions prevent double-staking up and down the East Coast and to and from the Port of Baltimore.

Double-stacking is a more cost-effective way to transport freight than by truck.

“For years, our administration has pursued funding for this critical project, and after a number of roadblocks, we are finally able to move forward on reconstruction,” Gov. Larry Hogan said. “This grant will help us to break a coast-wide bottleneck, further bolstering our economic success at the Port of Baltimore and across the state. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Transportation, CSX, and our partners at the Port for making this initiative a reality.”

Hogan committed to making infrastructure adjustments to the tunnel in 2016.

Hogan recently became chairman of the National Governors Association and will lead a year-long national infrastructure initiative.