Maryland Delegation Announces Nearly $7 Billion for Major Northeast Corridor Rail Infrastructure Improvement Projects

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $6,967,506,656 for six passenger rail projects in Maryland. These major investments will support the construction of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel – which will replace the 150-year-old B&P Tunnel in Baltimore City – as well as the replacement of the Bush River, Gunpowder River, and Susquehanna River Bridges; all of which regularly cause delays in Amtrak and MARC service due to their decades-old age. Funds will also help facilitate significant renovations at Baltimore’s Penn Station, as well as speed improvements along the Northeast Corridor.

The historic level of funding for these projects comes in large part from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is making the largest federal investment in passenger rail since Amtrak’s creation.

“This transformative funding is driving a once-in-a-generation effort to reinvent rail travel as we know it in Maryland. Projects like these are exactly why we fought to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said the lawmakers. “With these federal funds, we’re creating good-paying union jobs and improving safety, efficiency, and the entire rail travel experience for the millions of passengers traveling through Maryland each year. Together with President Biden, we’re working to implement his Invest in American agenda to positively impact the lives of Marylanders in every corner of our state.”

The federal dollars were made available under the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program—a historic federal commitment under the infrastructure law to improve passenger rail in the United States. Awarded funds will support the following projects that will deliver long-overdue replacements and upgrades to aging infrastructure:

• $4,707,571,556, B&P Tunnel Replacement Program – Frederick Douglass Tunnel: To complete the final design and construction of a new two-track tunnel, and approach track, among other improvements, allowing rail speeds on the segment to increase from 30 mph to 110 mph.
• $2,081,215,100, Susquehanna River Bridge Replacement Program: To replace the current 117-year-old bridge with two new fixed, two-track bridges over the Susquehanna River between Havre De Grace and Perryville. The bridges will reduce travel time for thousands of daily passengers by increasing speeds from 90 mph to up to 160 mph on one of the tracks.
• $108,320,000, Baltimore Penn Station – Master Plan: For major improvements at Penn Station including the restoration of the historic existing station headhouse, updates to the utility system and construction of a new entrance, train hall, waiting area and operation facilities.
• $30,000,000 Gunpowder River Bridge Replacement Program: To replace the 110-year-old two-track Gunpowder River Bridge in Joppatowne with a new four-track system. The project will also replace or upgrade traffic signals, interlockings and electric traction power infrastructure.
• $21,600,000, NEC South End Infrastructure Renewal and Speed Improvement Planning Study: To identify critical intercity needs and improve services, like operating speeds, in Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, including Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
• $18,800,000, Bush River Bridge Replacement Program: To replace the 110-year-old two-track, movable Bush River Bridge in Perryman with a high-level four-track structure. The project will benefit freight travel and service to the Maryland Area Regional Commuter Penn Line.