Amtrak’s Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program is a once-in-a-generation investment to eliminate one of the Northeast’s worst rail bottlenecks and transform Baltimore with opportunity, connection and lasting impact for generations to come. This Program will replace the 151-year-old B&P Tunnel, which suffers from a variety of age-related issues. The tunnel is currently at capacity, and its tight curvature requires trains to reduce speeds to 30 mph.
The centerpiece is a new tunnel named in honor of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, a Maryland native who was also a frequent railroad passenger after escaping to his freedom by boarding a train in Baltimore. The tunnel will feature two new high-capacity tunnel tubes designed for electrified Amtrak and MARC passenger trains, with each tube approximately two miles in length. Other improvements include a new fully accessible West Baltimore MARC station, modern rail infrastructure, and upgrades to local streets and bridges. Pre-construction activities are underway and major work will kick off in 2025.
Watch the following videos to learn more about the Program and why it’s so important to the Baltimore-Washington region, Northeast Corridor and beyond.
Featured partners include:
- MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold
- Maryland Governor Wes Moore
- Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott
- Visit Baltimore CEO Al Hutchinson
- West Baltimore Native & Program Contractor Anthony Pressley
- Baltimore/DC-Metro Building Trades Director Nick Cummings
- Greater Baltimore Committee President & CEO Mark Anthony Thomas
- Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Congress President Devin Jackson
- Greater Washington Partnership CEO Kathy Hollinger
- West Baltimore Native & Program Contractor Keith Adams
- Amtrak Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery, Laura Mason
- Amtrak Assistant Vice President, Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program, Luigi Rosa
- Amtrak Senior Director, Community Engagement, Danelle Hunter
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