2011-2014 TIP Amendment: Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel

Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel Study
Amendments to FY 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program

The Maryland Department of Transportation has submitted a request to amend the 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program to include $56 million in funding for the Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel. The B&P Tunnel opened in 1873 and currently serves passengers via Amtrak and MARC trains, as well as freight traffic.

Maryland was recently awarded $60 million for Preliminary Engineering and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for a new tunnel alignment to augment and replace the existing B&P Tunnel, which is nearing the end of its useful life. The study will also consider alternative uses for the existing B&P tunnel.

The NEPA study will examine alternatives that will provide for safety improvements and expand capacity on the Northeast Corridor through Baltimore. The Northeast Corridor was recently designated as the eleventh and final High-Speed Rail corridor. This corridor spans the mega-region between Boston, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

This phase of the project is fully funded through a High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSICPR) grant.

>> Download project information sheet (pdf, 13 kb)

Public Review and Comment

A public review period was held from Thursday, April 7 through Friday, May 6, 2011. A public meeting to answer questions and accept comments on this amendment was held on Wednesday, April 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Enoch Pratt Free Library - Central Library branch, Wheeler Auditorium, located at 400 Cathedral St, Baltimore, MD 21201. This location is served by several MTA bus lines, as well as the Centre Street Light Rail stop, the Lexington Market Metro station, and the Charles Center Metro station.