Amtrak has achieved a major milestone for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program with the selection of a Kiewit/J.F. Shea Joint Venture to build the brand new rail tunnel that will serve electrified Amtrak and MARC commuter trains. Located just south of Baltimore Penn Station, the new tunnel will serve electrified passenger trains with two parallel, single-track tunnel tubes, each approximately 3.22 km (2 miles) long. It will also support much faster travel speeds than the existing tunnel, where trains are currently limited to maximum speeds of 30 mph due to the tight curves.

The Frederick Douglass Tunnel will replace Amtrak’s existing Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) tunnel, which opened 150 years ago during the Ulysses S. Grant Administration

The third and final construction contract to “fit out” the Frederick Douglass Tunnel with tracks, rail systems and more will be announced at a future date, with an anticipated award in 2025/2026. Amtrak will also soon select a Delivery Partner to coordinate and support the successful execution of the Program.

Construction of the new tunnel is being delivered through the innovative Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) delivery method, which improves project delivery time and allows design, pre-construction and other work to proceed simultaneously. Visit https://media.amtrak.com/2024/02/amtrak-awards-contract-to-build-new-frederick-douglass-tunnel-in-baltimore/. 06/24.