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7/22/2024
Amtrak, federal, state and local officials last week met to mark the start of the Susquehanna River rail bridge project in northeast Maryland.
The $2.7 billion project involves constructing two new two-track bridges, and modernizing and improving five miles of track, catenary and signals, including three interlockings. The work will help improve reliability and safety; increase trains speeds, with a higher maximum speed of 160 mph; and eliminate conflicts with maritime traffic, Amtrak officials said in a press release.
Attending the event were Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld, MTA Administrator Holly Arnold, and other state and local officials.
The project is designed to ensure continued connectivity along the Northeast Corridor and support plans to expand intercity passenger-rail service in the region and across the nation, Amtrak officials said in a news release. Each day, the Susquehanna River rail bridge is used by 110 Amtrak, MARC commuter-rail and freight trains.
Pre-construction work includes the removal of remnant bridge piers from the Susquehanna River and utility upgrades in the town of Perryville. In the Susquehanna River, an Amtrak contractor is demolishing and removing 10 remnant piers.
The federal environmental review process for the project identified that the removal of the remnant bridge piers would be necessary to build the new and improved bridge, while also improving navigation along the portion of the Susquehanna River. Removal of all 10 remnant piers is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
“Amtrak is excited to kick off early work on this important bridge upgrade, one of several major Amtrak infrastructure megaprojects now underway or set to begin by the end of 2024,” said Gardner.