Amtrak, FRA and Maryland DOT begin study of Susquehanna River bridge

Amtrak, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have launched a preliminary engineering study for the rehabilitation or possible replacement of the Susquehanna River rail bridge.

The existing two-track, 108-year-old bridge is a crucial link along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (NEC), but is "nearing the end of its useful life," MDOT officials said in a press release.

In addition to Amtrak and MARC commuter trains, the section of the NEC is used by Norfolk Southern Railway trains to move freight across the Susquehanna River. Amtrak owns the bridge.

"Along with our partners, we continue to work toward a vision for the next generation of this bridge to accommodate the forecasted growth in rail traffic and meet the needs of the local community," said Stephen Gardner, Amtrak's vice president of Northeast Corridor infrastructure and investment development.

In compliance with federal law, the study will examine various alternatives and consider environmental and historical impacts to the community.

"This study is the first step in breaking a major bottleneck along the busy Northeast Corridor, which will ultimately improve trip time and reliability for our MARC passengers and freight shipments to the Port of Baltimore," said Maryland Transportation Secretary James Smith Jr.

The project team will develop and evaluate various alternatives based on the need to improve capacity and enhance trip time, reliability and safety for commuter, freight and intercity passenger-rail service on the corridor. Alternatives will include new and/or rehabilitated structures with up to a four-track total capacity crossing the river, and the reconstruction of the approaches to the bridge, spanning about three miles on either side.

Expected to be completed in mid-2017, the study also will consider possible improvements to the navigation channel for marine users. Preliminary engineering and environmental work is being funded by a $22 million federal grant from the FRA. The project is not yet funded for design or construction.