Frederick Douglass Tunnel geotechnical investigations completed in Baltimore

Frederick Douglass Tunnel geotechnical investigations were completed in Baltimore as Amtrak moves forward with the B&P Tunnel replacement program; Amtrak announced yesterday, as reported by Progressive Railroading. Over the Jan. 17–18 weekend, an Amtrak contractor carried out soil borings to support planning for future construction.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Frederick Douglass Tunnel geotechnical investigations and site work

In an Amtrak press release, the company said the soil borings are a routine step to confirm current design assumptions. The same release notes that the findings will help determine the best means and methods for any necessary ground stabilization ahead of future tunneling work.

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The Baltimore geotech work took place at the northern limit of the future tunnel, below the light-rail track that leads to the Maryland Transit Administration’s light-rail maintenance facility. To make room for the investigation, all light-rail stops between Falls Road and Camden Station were closed during the weekend.

B&P Tunnel replacement program: service roles and corridor benefits

When completed, the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel will carry electrified Amtrak trains as well as Maryland Area Commuter Rail (MARC) trains. Amtrak also said the existing B&P Tunnel will continue to be used by freight trains; the broader project is described on Amtrak’s Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program page and in an overview from Railway Supply.

Amtrak has described the B&P Tunnel replacement program as a way to eliminate the biggest source of passenger-rail delays on the Northeast Corridor south of New Jersey. Amtrak officials added that Federal Railroad Administrator David Fink recently visited the program site for an update, as crews conduct utility relocations and prepare to build a new bridge over West Mulberry Street.

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