Baltimore grants open under B&P Tunnel Replacement Program

B&P Tunnel Replacement Program grant applications will begin on March 23, as Amtrak opens the Community Investment Program for eligible projects tied to the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel alignment in Baltimore.

The funding effort is part of a phased $50 million investment moving forward alongside major construction, as reported by Mass Transit.

Amtrak said the program supports its broader plan to build a new rail alignment and a modern tunnel to replace the existing B&P Tunnel, which is more than 150 years old. It described the Community Investment Program as an important part of that larger infrastructure push, as also outlined on the official B&P Tunnel Replacement Program page.

B&P Tunnel Replacement Program and Baltimore funding

“Amtrak’s B&P Tunnel is a critical component of our ongoing efforts to improve the state of good repair along the Northeast Corridor,” said ️Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator David Fink. “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.”

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When a Notice of Funding Opportunity is published on the Amtrak Grants Portal on March 23, qualified not-for-profit organizations and city or state government entities will be encouraged to apply. Also, Amtrak said projects must be located within a quarter mile of the program alignment and fit into one of six categories: community development, parks and recreation, open space, transportation, workforce development, or historic preservation.

Community Investment Program grant categories

Amtrak said community grant applications will be reviewed through a competitive process based on merit and eligibility. In addition, the company said proposals will go through review, assessment and evaluation before awards are made.

Separately, Amtrak will seek an organization to manage a $2.75 million historic preservation grant fund for projects in the Midtown Edmondson and Edmondson Avenue Historic Districts. At the same time, that historic preservation grant fund is financed through the Community Investment Program, and the fund administrator will also be selected through a merit- and eligibility-based competition.

Workforce hub and community mitigation measures

Amtrak also said it will dedicate $5 million to create a workforce hub for Baltimore residents preparing for job opportunities linked to the tunnel program and other regional projects. Meanwhile, the rail operator has partnered with the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and the Maryland Philanthropic Network to provide training, mentoring and other services aimed at helping participants begin construction careers.

“The Community Investment Program is part of Amtrak’s commitment to mitigating construction impacts in the community as we deliver this critical infrastructure investment,” said Amtrak Assistant Vice President Luigi Rosa. “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.”

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