Contractor appointed to build southern approach on $6bn Frederick Douglass Tunnel

A map of the existing B&P tunnel route and the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel (Image: Amtrak)

US rail company Amtrak has selected a joint venture between Clark Construction/Stacey and Witbeck to build the southern approach for the US$6 billion Frederick Douglass Tunnel.

The award follows a year-long competitive procurement that began in June 2022 for the Southern Approach construction package.

The new Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Maryland will connect Amtrack’s Penn Station to MARC’s West Baltimore station, replacing the 1.4-mile-long B&P tunnel, which is nearly 150 years old.

The Southern Approach Package (Package B) is being delivered using a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) delivery method. The Package B contract includes:

• Building a new ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC Station
• Constructing the southern approach from south of the West Baltimore Station area and extending north to the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel south portal
• Replacing multiple railroad undergrade bridges (N. Warwick Ave., W. Mulberry St., and W. Franklin St.)
• Replacing the Edmondson Ave. and W. Lafayette Ave. bridges
• Relocating and realigning various utilities

Amtrak has awarded separate contracts to K.K. Adams and Delaware Cornerstone Builders, two local small business enterprises (SBE) that will complete supplemental preconstruction activities ahead of major construction.

Construction contracts for other portions of the project are being procured separately:

• “Package A” – Frederick Douglass Tunnel construction, which is currently in procurement with an award expected later this year.
• “Package C” – Tunnel Fit Out (tunnel track, systems and ventilation facilities), with an award anticipated in 2025/2026

The project is being supported in part by federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), along with contributions from Amtrak and the State of Maryland.

Amtrak executive vice president, capital delivery Laura Mason said, “This award represents the culmination of years of hard work to deliver significant long-term improvements right in the heart of a vital segment of the Northeast Corridor.

“Building the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel along with the other program improvements is a win-win for Baltimore that will create thousands of jobs and improve the experience for thousands of customers who rely on this critical connection every day.”