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1/22/2026
During the Jan. 17-18 weekend, an Amtrak contractor for the B&P Tunnel replacement program in Baltimore completed key geotechnical investigations to prepare for future construction of the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel, Amtrak announced yesterday.
The soil borings taken over the weekend are a standard part of the process to confirm the current design assumptions and identify the best means and methods for any necessary ground stabilization for the future tunneling work, according to an Amtrak press release.
The work occurred at the northern limit of the future tunnel, just underneath the light-rail track leading to the Maryland Transit Administration's light-rail maintenance facility. All light-rail stops between Falls Road and Camden Station were closed to accommodate the work.
When completed, the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel will serve electrified Amtrak and Maryland Area Commuter Rail (MARC) trains, while the B&P Tunnel will continue to be used by freight trains. The entire B&P Tunnel replacement program is designed to eliminate the biggest source of passenger-rail delays on the Northeast Corridor south of New Jersey.
Recently, Federal Railroad Administrator David Fink visited the program site for an update on the construction, where crews are conducting utility relocations and preparing to build a new bridge over West Mulberry Street, Amtrak officials said.