Work on Amtrak’s $2.7 billion Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project on the Northeast Corridor in Maryland has begun with pre-construction work that includes removal of remnant bridge piers from the Susquehanna River and utility upgrades in the town of Perryville, Md.. This work sets the stage for start of actual bridge construction later next year.
In the Susquehanna River, an Amtrak contractor is demolishing and removing 10 remnant piers from an 1866 railroad bridge located just east of the existing bridge that had its superstructure removed several decades ago. This work is scheduled for completion by year-end 2024.
“Although no longer utilized, the remnant bridge piers have long remained an impediment to boaters,” Amtrak noted. “The federal environmental review process for this project identified that their removal would be necessary to build the new and improved bridge, while also improving navigation along this portion of the Susquehanna River.
In Perryville, Amtrak is working with two local utility companies to complete upgrades necessary before construction of the first of two double-track spans, the eastern one, can begin: Baltimore Gas & Electric will replace the existing 1930s-era transmission tower that exclusively feeds power to an Amtrak substation, and in turn, the NEC’s OCS (overhead catenary system). It must be relocated to avoid conflicts with the future west bridge approach. DELMARVA is relocating aerial power lines underground to make way for the project, eliminate future aerial conflicts, and provide a more reliable service to the town and customers.
When completed, the fixed-span Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project will increase passenger rail (Amtrak, MARC) capacity by replacing the existing double-track, swing-span bridge with twin double-track spans. Five miles of track, catenary and signals, including three interlockings, track bridges will be modernized, improving reliability and safety and increasing maximum operating speed from 90 mph to 160 mph, reducing trip times. The new fixed spans will be higher than the existing structure, eliminating conflicts with maritime traffic. The existing bridge is a Howe deck truss structure opened by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1906 and electrified in the 1930s. The longest moveable bridge on the NEC at 4,200 feet, it is also used by Norfolk Southern.
This $2.7 billion project is funded mostly by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law $2.08 billion Fed-State grant, part of the $10 billion, 12-project Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Fed-State NEC) the Federal Railroad Administration announced in December 2023. The remaining portion will be funded by Amtrak and the State of Maryland.
Amtrak in December 2023 awarded a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contract to the Flatiron/Herzog Joint Venture for bridge construction and associated track work, along with two supporting contracts to an AECOM-led team and Fay Construction, the latter which is demolishing and remove the 10 remnant piers from the 1866 structure. HNTB provided conceptual and preliminary engineering, NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) screening and final design.
Amtrak added it “has implemented a comprehensive community engagement program for this project, which began in the early planning phase and will continue throughout construction. As work advances, Amtrak will continue its commitment to being a good neighbor in the community by raising awareness about the project, being present at various local events and programs, and partnering with community groups to make a positive impact.”
“Amtrak is excited to kick off early work on this important bridge upgrade, one of several major Amtrak infrastructure mega-projects now under way or set to begin by the end of 2024,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “Thanks to funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, continued support from the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress and strong coordination with our partners, Amtrak is advancing a new era of passenger rail with state-of-the-art bridges, tunnels and trains on the way.”
