On Monday, Amtrak announced it had awarded Clark Construction/Stacy and Witbeck Joint Venture contracts as construction contractors for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program
The award is a significant milestone in the program, officials said, and follows a yearlong competitive procurement process for the Southern Approach construction package that began in June of last year.
“This award represents the culmination of years of hard work to deliver significant long-term improvements right in the heart of a vital segment of the Northeast Corridor,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery Laura Mason. “Building the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel along with the other program improvements is a win-win for Baltimore that will create thousands of jobs and improve the experience for thousands of customers who rely on this critical connection every day.”
The Frederick Douglass Tunnel is a $6 billion project supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with contributions from Amtrak and the State of Maryland. The Southern Approach Package includes building a new ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC Station; constructing the southern approach from south of the West Baltimore Station to the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel south portal; replacing multiple railroad undergrade bridges, as well as the Edmondson Ave and W. Lafayette Ave. bridges; and relocating and realigning various utilities.
“This important milestone moves us one step closer to bringing the long-anticipated replacement of the B&P Tunnel into fruition,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Amtrak as we deliver this vital connection and enhance overall mobility for commuters in Baltimore and beyond.”
The company said other contracts have been awarded to K.K. Adams and Delaware Cornerstone builders to complete supplemental preconstruction activities prior to the major construction efforts.
Other parts of the project, including the construction of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel, and the tunnel outfitting, will be awarded separately, Amtrak said.