Our Bolton Hill neighborhood is unique in that it is adjacent to two important railroad tunnels, both built in the 1800s, that have become major bottlenecks in the national rail network. Both tunnels are the subjects of major modernization programs that will transform and improve rail service in the Northeast and Midwestern United States. Last month’s Part 1 of this series reported on the Howard Street Tunnel.
The second tunnel bounding Bolton Hill is the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel (B&P), which is located on the north edge of Bolton Hill along North Ave. This 1.4-mile-long tunnel, which extends from the West Baltimore MARC Station to east of Bolton Hill, was built in 1873 and now poses a major impediment for passenger trains traveling along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between Baltimore and Washington D.C.
The tunnel’s tight curves and deteriorating condition limit rail speed to 30 miles per hour through the tunnel. Due to its age and condition, extensive repairs and safety upgrades would be required to bring it to a state of good repair. This has led Amtrak to evaluate alternative alignments to improve rail service and passenger safety.
Amtrak is now embarking on an 11-year, $6 billion program to construct a new two-mile long tunnel to the north of the existing B&P tunnel, along with five bridge replacements and new rail infrastructure and approaches. The new tunnel will connect a new ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC station with Baltimore’s Penn Station and will consist of twin single-track tubes fitted out with modern fire and life safety systems. A portion of the new tunnel will be located deep under Reservoir Hill and will include a new emergency ventilation system located at Eutaw Place along the north side of North Ave.
The new tunnel will only serve electrified passenger trains. MTA has committed to electrifying MARC’s Penn Line train service that will use the new tunnel. The existing B&P Tunnel will continue to be used solely for diesel freight service. The program is expected to be completed by 2035.
Amtrak awarded two major construction contracts earlier this year. One is for the southern approaches including the West Baltimore MARC Station, near W. Franklin St. at 401 Smallwood St. The other is for the new two-mile bored twin tunnel construction. Meanwhile utility relocations and demolition projects are underway throughout the corridor in preparation for the major construction contracts, which will get started in 2025 and 2026. The former Mt. Royal Medical facility at 920 W. North Ave., on the north side of W. North Ave. east of Eutaw Place, already is being demolished to make way for the new ventilation facility. The demolition work should not interfere with traffic along North Ave. and should be completed by the end of the year.
The new ventilation facility will occupy 900 to 940 W. North Ave. and will provide emergency stairs for passengers and ventilation fans, which would evacuate smoke from the tunnel. The facility will only be used in emergency situations.
Funding for the project comes from a combination of sources, including a $4.7 billion grant from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and funds from Baltimore City and the State of Maryland (MDOT MTA). Bolton Hill Community Association is closely monitoring the new tunnel’s progress, and is awaiting the announcement of the final process and guidelines for Amtrak’s $50 million community investment program to mitigate adverse impacts from the tunnel work. These funds could potentially be used to benefit Bolton Hill parks or facilities near the alignment.
While Amtrak is moving forward with the Frederick Douglas Tunnel Program, a group of Reservoir Hill residents submitted a civil rights complaint to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation on April 30. They allege that Amtrak’s proposed Frederick Douglas Tunnel Program would have a disparate impact on their majority black community in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. At issue is the original selection of the alignment and the location of the emergency ventilation facility near the Dorothy I. Height Elementary School. The complaint is under review.
More information about the Frederick Douglas Tunnel Program can be obtained from FDTunnel.com, or by calling Amtrak’s community involvement team at 443-423-1115 or emailing fdtunnel@amtrak.com.
–Sallye Perrin
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