Baltimore Tunnel Replacement?

[Andrew]

1. Does anyone have any updates of Amtrak's Baltimore Tunnel Replacement?

2. If so, when is a realistic start up of construction and revenue service in the new tunnel?

 

[afigg]

1. Does anyone have any updates of Amtrak's Baltimore Tunnel Replacement?
2. If so, when is a realistic start up of construction and revenue service in the new tunnel?

It is the B&P Tunnel, not the Baltimore tunnel. Did you see my response about the current study in the Maryland tax increase Purple & Line line thread in the commuter/transit/light rail forum? You probably did, but I'll repeat: the B&P Tunnel replacement has $60 million for the preliminary engineering, design, and environmental studies. That may be enough funding to carry it through final design, don't know. To start construction, the project will need to get approved, and the funding package will have to be put together. The fund packaging process could take a year, it could take five depending on the political circumstances in DC and the status of the NEC. No one can project a reliable estimate for start of construction date at this point.

 

[Nathanael]

There are two tunnels in Baltimore used by Amtrak: the B&P Tunnel to the south of the station and the Union Tunnel to the north of the station.

The B&P Tunnel is considered to be in worse shape; however, the study is examining the Union Tunnel as well as the B&P Tunnel, and in fact it is also looking at the Howard Street tunnel (which CSX uses through Baltimore). So it is a Baltimore Tunnel Replacement Study.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2008-06-12/news/0806110271_1_amtrak-rail-service-national-passenger-rail

 

[Andrew]

I wonder how many alignments they are looking at for the new tunnel, and if any Amtrak is planning on upgrading the substations in the vicinity of Baltimore...

 

[the_traveler]

I highly doubt that Amtrak would add any more stops in Baltimore, even if they're on the line used. Some Amtrak trains already stop at BWI. (OK, it's not technically Baltimore.)

Two examples of stations on the Amtrak route but Amtrak trains do not stop:

1) Ashland, Virginia is on the route of the SS and SM. However neither stop there, but other Amtrak trains do.

2) Wickford Junction and the airport station at TF Green Airport (Providence, RI) were recently completed - and are right on the NEC. Amtrak passes by both an average of once every hour, yet no trains stop. They are served by MBTA only.

 

[Ryan]

I think that he's talking about power substations, not stops.

There are literally dozens and dozens of commuter rail stops on the NEC that don't see Amtrak service.

 

[the_traveler]

My bad! That's what happens if you read a post too fast.

 

[jis]

Not counting the latter day Amtrak NEC Future proposal to tunnel under the Inner Harbor, AFAIK there is only one major alignment being looked at with minor variations around it

 

[afigg]

There are two tunnels in Baltimore used by Amtrak: the B&P Tunnel to the south of the station and the Union Tunnel to the north of the station.
The B&P Tunnel is considered to be in worse shape; however, the study is examining the Union Tunnel as well as the B&P Tunnel, and in fact it is also looking at the Howard Street tunnel (which CSX uses through Baltimore). So it is a Baltimore Tunnel Replacement Study.

That is a 5 year old newspaper report. I think the funding was never directly provided for that study request. The study is funded as a $60 million HSIPR stimulus project which is described as the B&P Tunnel replacement study. Which may have a changed scope from the 2008 bill to be, AFAIK, just on the new B&P tunnel and refurbing/rebuilding the existing B&P tunnel(s). This is a full up EIS and PE effort, so I would expect there will be public presentations, comment periods on the draft EIS documents when the project gets to that stage. At which point, we will know more about the scope of the project and the tunnel design.

 

[Andrew]

Not counting the latter day Amtrak NEC Future proposal to tunnel under the Inner Harbor, AFAIK there is only one major alignment being looked at with minor variations around it

Are you referring to the Orange Alignment?

 

[jis]

Yes.

 

[Andrew]

What is the yellowish Great Circle Alignment?

 

[Ryan]

Howard Street tunnel replacement. If you look at the ends, you see it attach to the Hanover Sub and the Philly Sub.

It also puts Camden Line service to BAL on the table.

 

[MattW]

So based on that picture then, freight trains that were formerly bound through the Howard Street Tunnel, would now take the great circle alignment, then parallel the NEC through Baltimore and the Union Tunnels until they split off from the NEC around I-895?

 

[Nathanael]

MattW: Yes.

 

[afigg]

So based on that picture then, freight trains that were formerly bound through the Howard Street Tunnel, would now take the great circle alignment, then parallel the NEC through Baltimore and the Union Tunnels until they split off from the NEC around I-895?

The most recent FRA report, written in coordination with the MD DOT, on the proposed new tunnel and route alignments was published in January 2011 and is available on the FRA website: Baltimore's Railroad Network: analysis and recommendations. It is a 279 page 24 MB report, so it is a rather lengthy document, but provides a lot of information on the Baltimore tunnels and railroad network. The report discusses both the NEC B&P Tunnel replacement recommended route and the alternatives for a new CSX freight tunnel to bypass the Howard Street tunnel. The analysis for the proposed B&P Tunnel replacement great circle route in the FRA report is the lead-in to the NEPA and PE effort that is underway.

My understanding is that CSX is not pursuing the proposed new freight tunnel and route through Baltimore because of the price tag. The Maryland and Baltimore transit planners would be interested in re-using the Howard Street tunnel for transit, namely rerouting the current street running light rail line though the tunnel with new underground stations and connections to the metro line and future Red Line. But the cost of a new tunnel and route for CSX keeps that idea on long term hold.

 

[Tracktwentynine]

Just FYI:

I'm the guy who made the map. You can see it in context here: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3467/washingtons-rails-part-5-unbottlenecking-baltimore/. It's part 5 of a series on the railroad network in the Baltimore/Washington region.

Everyone, please keep in mind that when you include a map, photo, or quote from someone it is imperative that you cite the person responsible. If possible, you should also link to the original source so that people can read it in context or get more information should they so choose.

Not counting the latter day Amtrak NEC Future proposal to tunnel under the Inner Harbor, AFAIK there is only one major alignment being looked at with minor variations around it

 

[Ryan]

I *thought* that looked familiar!!!

 

[jis]

Just FYI:

I'm the guy who made the map. You can see it in context here:

Everyone, please keep in mind that when you include a map, photo, or quote from someone it is imperative that you cite the person responsible. If possible, you should also link to the original source so that people can read it in context or get more information should they so choose.

It is difficult to add the original context when a search produces a document that is not linked to the original context. Other than that I completely agree with you.
I did a google search and a nice looking picture came up which seemed familiar, but not familiar enough for me to remember where it came from. Sorry about that.