CSX Reopens Howard Street Tunnel
As part of its efforts to modernize the I-95 rail corridor, CSX closed the 125-year-old Howard Street Tunnel for reconstruction in February. The project sought to allow for double-stack intermodal service through the tunnel by increasing the vertical clearance and addressing 22 obstructions located along the corridor. This double-stacking is a “more cost-effective way to transport rail” than via trucks, reduces traffic congestion along I-95, and reduces emissions. At the time, CSX chief engineer of bridge design and construction Ed Sparks said, “This is a tremendous opportunity to alleviate a restriction on our network and open up new opportunities for CSX.”
Over the summer, CSX documented its work on the project where crews removed and lowered 3,400 feet of flooring along the 8,700-foot-long tunnel, originally built from 1890-1895. As CSX worked to “combine modern engineering solutions with strategic planning to overcome logistical challenges,” crews continued to remove rail, excavate, and lower the track profile. At North Avenue Bridge, Guilford Avenue Bridge, and Harford Road Bridge, crews noted these sections required a different approach because of obstructions located beneath the bridges. The ability to adapt to these challenges “demonstrate[d] the adaptability of the construction team, ensuring optimal results across diverse project sites.”
CSX announced the reopening of the bridge on Sept. 26, marking the event as a “historic milestone” due to the project successfully eliminating a bottleneck along the I-95 corridor. Completed on budget and ahead of schedule, the project delivers “a long-sought boost to Maryland’s economy and the national supply chain,” the Class I notes.
“The completion of the Howard Street Tunnel reflects the dedication of our people—a once-in-a-generation achievement that will drive commerce, jobs, and growth across Maryland and the East Coast for decades… This project reinforces CSX’s position as a high-performing, customer-focused railroad investing for profitable growth,” said Joe Hinrichs, who roughly one day after the ceremony, which coincided with his third anniversary as President and CEO, was ousted by the company’s Board.
Work Completed
Throughout the course of the project, crews spent more than 450,000 man hours worked with 175 field craft, 20 subcontractors, and 40 salaried supervision staff. For 233 consecutive days, crews worked to install 1,128 dewatering well points, place 1,188 precast invert slabs (PCIS, and install 14,276 linear feet of wall drain. Additionally crews placed over 4,000 cubic yards of concrete and over 24,000 cubic feet of grout. The Class I states that over 25,000 cubic yards of excavated material were removed from the tunnel, and more than 78,000 linear feet of temporary electrical cable was installed. Below is a gallery of images, courtesy of CSX, that show crews working in the tunnel.
“With the Howard Street Tunnel’s reopening, CSX is now able to unleash the full strength of our network ahead of schedule, removing a long-standing volume constraint along the I-95 corridor,” said Mike Cory, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at CSX. “Even while navigating this and other major infrastructure projects over the last year, CSX has maintained the strong performance that customers have come to rely on. With this project now complete, our network is stronger than ever, underscoring the adaptability of our system and strength of the ONE CSX culture.”
