Amtrak to Launch First Round of Community Grants for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program on March 23

Key component of Amtrak’s $50 million community investment commitment to mitigate construction impacts

BALTIMORE – On March 23, Amtrak will begin accepting grant applications for eligible projects along the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel alignment in Baltimore as part of a $50 million phased investment that will coincide with major construction underway.

The Community Investment Program (CIP) is a key component of the overall B&P Tunnel Replacement Program(Program), which is building a brand-new rail alignment and modern tunnel to replace the more than 150-year-old existing B&P Tunnel.

🎙️ FRA Administrator David Fink:

“Amtrak’s B&P tunnel is a critical component of our ongoing efforts to improve the state of good repair along the Northeast Corridor. As FRA Administrator, I look forward to working with Amtrak to make sure these dollars are spent efficiently and that the project is completed on time.”

🎙️ Amtrak Assistant Vice President Luigi Rosa:

“The Community Investment Program is part of Amtrak’s commitment to mitigating construction impacts in the community as we deliver this critical infrastructure investment. We’ve also installed sound barriers, implemented noise and vibration monitoring, and deployed our outreach team to identify and address any issues that may arise. We will work diligently to administer the Community Investment Program effectively and efficiently.”

🤝 CIP Community Grants: When the application period opens following publication of a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the Amtrak Grants Portal on March 23, qualified not-for-profit organizations or city/state government entities will be encouraged to apply for funding to support projects located within ¼ mile of the Program alignment and qualifying under one of six investment categories:

1. Community Development
2. Parks and Recreation
3. Open Space
4. Transportation*
5. Workforce Development
6. Historic Preservation

*Transportation improvement projects may occur within ½ mile of the Program alignment.

Interested entities are encouraged to sign up for B&P Tunnel Replacement Program emails to receive a notification and link to apply when the NOFO is published and the grant application process opens. Amtrak will award community grants to select projects based on merit and eligibility via a competitive process that involves review, assessment, and evaluation of applications.

🧱 Historic Preservation Grant Fund: Amtrak will also be seeking an organization to administer a $2.75 million historic preservation grant fund for preservation projects in the Midtown Edmondson and Edmondson Avenue Historic Districts, funded by the CIP. Amtrak will select the fund administrator based on merit and eligibility via a competitive process. More details will be shared at the virtual info session listed below.

👷 Workforce Hub: Amtrak will dedicate $5 million to create a Workforce Hub to prepare Baltimore residents for job opportunities on the Program and other regional projects. Amtrak has partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and Maryland Philanthropic Network to provide training, mentoring, and other services so participants are prepared to start construction careers.

🔍 Learn More: Visit the Program website  for a deeper dive into the various eligibility requirements, investment categories, evaluation criteria, program administration, and more.

Amtrak will also host the following information sessions:

🚄 About the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program: The existing B&P Tunnel in Baltimore is the oldest Amtrak tunnel and a single point of failure for the 15 million Amtrak and MARC customers who rely on it. This 1.4-mile tunnel opened in 1873 and suffers from a variety of age-related issues, leading to frequent delays and extensive maintenance needs. The tunnel is at capacity and its tight curves limit train speeds to a maximum of 30 mph.

The Program, Amtrak’s largest-ever infrastructure investment, will unlock the most congested rail bottleneck south of New Jersey with two new state-of-the-art tunnels for electrified Amtrak and MARC passenger trains, along with a new fully accessible West Baltimore MARC Station, 10 miles of rail infrastructure upgrades, and local street and bridge improvements along the alignment.