Maryland Delegation Announces $125 Million Federal Investment in Howard Street Tunnel

Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone, announced $125 million in federal funding for the Howard Street Tunnel, which comes on top of the $91 million commitment that the Maryland Delegation worked to secure from CSX, the company that owns the tunnel.  The Howard Street Tunnel project, which is aimed at improving freight movement out of the Port of Baltimore, is central to the success of the region’s economy.

“A year ago, this project was on the brink of collapsing. But working with our state, local, and private partners, we refused to give up – because we knew that an expanded tunnel that allowed for double-stack rail meant a more successful Port of Baltimore and state of Maryland.  We’re pleased to announce today that we have secured a federal commitment of $125 million for the project and we can finally move forward.  This funding will not only improve the Tunnel and the Port, but it will also help create over 7,000 jobs in Maryland,” the Members said.

The Delegation identified the project early on for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as a key priority for the state, writing to Secretary Chao about it shortly after she was confirmed.  When CSX started to waiver on its support of the expansion, the Members immediately stepped in and kept pushing until they secured a commitment from the CEO.  They strongly supported the Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant application – the DOT program which provides dedicated, discretionary funding for projects that address critical issues facing our nation’s highways and bridges.  This is one of the top ten largest projects ever funded by this program.

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