This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
1/30/2024
Amtrak, Maryland and federal officials gathered yesterday to inaugurate a newly constructed boarding platform at Baltimore Penn Station.
The new platform is scheduled to begin handling trains this spring. The project is part of Amtrak’s overall redevelopment of the station, a $150 million investment to improve customer experience and grow passenger rail, Amtrak officials said in a press release.
Baltimore Penn Station is the eighth-busiest station on Amtrak's network, averaging more than three million Amtrak and MARC passengers per year. Over the past year, Amtrak ridership increased 29% in Baltimore, surpassing the 24% growth attained in the railroad's nationwide ridership.
"As we work to redevelop Baltimore Penn Station and enhance the customer experience, this new platform will help ease rail congestion and reduce delays on the Northeast Corridor," said Amtrak President Roger Harris in a press release.e
The new platform will provide more than 1,000 linear feet of space, including pedestrian pathways and new elevators for ADA accessibility. The project also includes a renovated headhouse, roofing and historical restoration of the columns and canopies for each of the platforms.
The new platform is one of two being built at Baltimore Penn Station. The second platform is scheduled for completion in fall. Both platforms will support Amtrak’s expansion of high-speed train service with new Acela trains scheduled to debut later this year.