Amtrak advances Susquehanna River Rail Bridge project

Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Maryland Department of Transportation-Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) plan to award two contracts next year to advance the replacement of the Susquehanna River Rail Bridge.

The $1.5 billion project calls for the construction of a pair of two-track fixed bridges that will replace the existing two-track movable bridge, along with 5 miles of additional realignment and construction, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

The longest moveable bridge on the Northeast Corridor, the structure is used daily by more than 110 Amtrak, Maryland Area Regional Commuter and Norfolk Southern Railway trains.

In the coming months, Amtrak plans to issue several key solicitations, including construction manager at risk for the construction of the new bridges and a design-bid-build contract for enabling works.

Amtrak is inviting firms interested in the program to attend an Industry Day in December to learn more about the project. Interested contractors should monitor Amtrak's Procurement Portal for further information about the event. The portal will offer additional solicitation information and submittal requirements. Attendance at Industry Day is not required to submit a proposal, but is highly encouraged, officials said.

The Susquehanna River Rail Bridge was identified on the recently released Northeast Corridor Project Inventory list issued by the FRA. The project is one of several major infrastructure projects that Amtrak’s new Capital Delivery department is advancing.

"With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we have the opportunity to update and replace more aging rail structures like the Susquehanna River Rail Bridge, and we look forward to working with states and entities to deliver the rail projects people across the country need and deserve," said FRA Administrator Amit Bose.

As a funding partner for the project, the MDOT MTA has committed $3 million toward a design grant that was recently awarded. Amtrak and MDOT MTA are in discussions about jointly pursuing additional grant funding for the cost of construction under the Federal State Partnership Program.

"The bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad at the turn of the 20^th century, and while it was well constructed and remains safe, it is a significant bottleneck on the Northeast Corridor," said Laura Mason, Amtrak executive vice president of capital delivery. "Once complete, both new bridges will reduce trip time and improve reliability for passenger and freight trains that rely on this critical connection."