Federal, state, and local leaders gathered Friday, on the 150th anniversary of the Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) tunnel’s groundbreaking, to unveil new plans for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program.
The tunnel, which will be named after Maryland-son and abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass, will become the route for all MARC Penn Line and Amtrak trains. MDOT and Amtrak will use a phased implementation approach, with the initial implementation including two new high-capacity tunnel tubes for electrified passenger trains. Construction of two additional tunnel tubes to accommodate freight trains could be designed in the future, the two groups said.
Maryland Secretary of Transportation Gregory Slater said MDOT will electrify its MARC commuter trains through the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel to enable the plan.
“Built just after the Civil War, the B&P Tunnel is reaching the end of its useful life,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “This project will modernize a critical part of the Northeast Corridor, making the train work better for the 9 million passengers that depend on it each year. It’s a great example of what we can accomplish more of with the American Jobs Plan.”
The new approach will eliminate diesel train emissions at a ventilation facility in West Baltimore. The changes will also save two years during construction and more than $1 billion, the groups said.
“Replacing the B&P Tunnel is an important endeavor that will result in faster, more reliable rail service for passengers up and down our country’s busiest rail corridor. It will also be a key investment for Baltimore City. But it will take resources, a long-term commitment, and partnership among all of us at the federal, state, and municipal level,” said Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure.