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Eastern Railroad Discussion > CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel


Date: 02/03/25 20:36
CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: WM_1109

CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore

February 3, 2025 - The historic Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore, originally opened in the late 1800s, has officially closed for reconstruction as part of an initiative to modernize the nearly 8,700-foot-long tunnel and enable double-stack intermodal service along CSX’s I-95 Rail Corridor.

On February 1, the project reached a significant milestone with the removal of rail spikes, marking the next phase of work on the Howard Street Tunnel Project. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, the initiative aims to increase vertical clearance in the 125-year-old tunnel and address 22 additional obstructions along the corridor between Baltimore and Philadelphia, improving connectivity to key Midwest markets.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to alleviate a restriction on our network and open up new opportunities for CSX,” said Ed Sparks, CSX chief engineer of bridge design and construction. “We’re starting something big today.”

The Howard Street Tunnel upgrades will enhance intermodal rail service on CSX’s I-95 corridor while better connecting the Seagirt Marine Terminal Intermodal Container Transfer Facility at the Port of Baltimore with interior distribution hubs.

“It strengthens the Port of Baltimore’s competitiveness with other East Coast ports,” said Brandon Knapp, CSX senior director of Mid-Atlantic construction. “This project benefits CSX while also boosting the region’s economy.”

Knapp credited the milestone to collaboration across the company, describing the effort as a “complete ONE CSX” initiative. Teams from transportation, engineering, sales, and marketing have contributed to advancing the project, he said.

Safety remains a top priority as work accelerates, said Mike Cory, CSX executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“We have a lot of people on this property, not all of them CSX employees, but we’re all one team,” Cory said. “We want this to be a completely injury- and accident-free project. It’s important to work safely, work smart, and look out for one another.

”The tunnel reconstruction is part of a larger partnership involving CSX, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the state of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and other stakeholders. Once complete, it is expected to enhance operational efficiency, bolster the competitiveness of CSX-served markets, and deliver economic benefits to the region.

With progress well underway and completion set for the second half of 2025, CSX is moving closer to achieving a modernized corridor that will drive growth for the company, its customers, and the surrounding community. Watch the video below to see the CSX team in action at the Howard Street Tunnel closure.


There is a video, with more information, embedded in the article [link] on CSX's website.

/Ted



Date: 02/04/25 04:21
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: DLM

Lots of talking heads, but no actual information on the work that will occur inside the tunnel.  Are they lowering the floor or raising the roof?  How many feet of vertical clearance do they need to gain insde the tunnel?



Date: 02/04/25 06:54
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: Dcmcrider

Looks like mostly undercutting of the trackbed, with a short section of cut and cover south of Lombard St, where the current tunnel roof will be removed and replaced with a new structure. 

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA



Date: 02/04/25 07:06
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: broken_link

Yes, it seems like an all options approach, though most of the work to increase clearance will come through lowering the tracks. It actually surprises me that this project has taken this long to get underway, even while acknowledging all of the stakeholders, politics, funding, etc., that was involved.

https://mpa.maryland.gov/pages/hst.aspx
 



Date: 02/04/25 07:39
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: cjvrr

Thank you for the link.   I didn't realize there will be several blocks that will be cut and cover.   The logisitics of this project are pretty significant.

Your link also lists other clearance issues, are those also in the works?

broken_link Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, it seems like an all options approach, though
> most of the work to increase clearance will come
> through lowering the tracks. It actually surprises
> me that this project has taken this long to get
> underway, even while acknowledging all of the
> stakeholders, politics, funding, etc., that was
> involved.
>
> https://mpa.maryland.gov/pages/hst.aspx
>  



Date: 02/04/25 07:44
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: ShortlinesUSA

Consumer grade article from Trains says lower the floor two feet for those wanting a quick answer with little reading.

Full article here:

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/csx-closes-howard-street-tunnel-to-begin-double-stack-clearance-work/

Posted from Android



Date: 02/04/25 08:24
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: dan




Date: 02/04/25 13:46
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: usmc1401

Will this new tunnel height leave enough room for overhead wires in the future. The alameda trench in Los angeles was built high enough for double stacks and overhead cantenary.



Date: 02/04/25 16:25
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: WM1977

The initial clearance project in the early 1980s provided clearance for enclosed auto carriers and lower height double stacks. The project temporarily removed long sections of track, dug out the old ballast which lowered the track. The temporary removed track was put back in place so trains could run. The work was done in 12-16 hour windows. Rode many trains through the tunnel during this project.
CR

Posted from iPhone



Date: 02/04/25 17:43
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: farmer

One would think. The deeper they dig. The more issues with water and drainage would arise

Posted from iPhone



Date: 02/04/25 17:58
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: ShortlinesUSA

usmc1401 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Will this new tunnel height leave enough room for
> overhead wires in the future. The alameda trench
> in Los angeles was built high enough for double
> stacks and overhead cantenary.

With the tunnel floor being dropped two feet to get minimum doublestack clearance I would say the answer is a resounding no.

Posted from Android



Date: 02/04/25 18:37
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: march_hare

farmer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One would think. The deeper they dig. The more
> issues with water and drainage would arise
>
> Posted from iPhone

With a well engineered project, and enough time to do it well, you can install subsurface drains along the edge of the track and drain that to the ends of the tunnel. With a relatively short tunnel, that should be doable, especially if you cut down on vertical infiltration through the roof at the same time. 



Date: 02/04/25 19:04
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: Mike6640-2

ShortlinesUSA Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> usmc1401 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Will this new tunnel height leave enough room
> for
> > overhead wires in the future. The alameda
> trench
> > in Los angeles was built high enough for double
> > stacks and overhead cantenary.
>
> With the tunnel floor being dropped two feet to
> get minimum doublestack clearance I would say the
> answer is a resounding no.
>
> Posted from Android
>
> at one point in the tunnel  it goes over the balt. metro tunnel
>which is only 5 feet below the ballast bed in the tunnel
> so they are cutting the roof of the tunnel also.



Date: 02/05/25 05:43
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: WM1977

The other thing no one has mentioned is the older part of the tunnel is a brick arch construction. I would assume that they have figured out how to support the arch while making modificatioons to the floor which by the way supports the arch.
CR



Date: 02/05/25 08:10
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: broken_link

They actually discussed concerns around undermining arch supports and having to underpin footings in the Boone Tunnel portion of the project near Philadelphia. (There is a lot going on outside of the HST itself.) It's referenced in the EA that this tunnel is a long arch structure that is on bedrock with shallow footings due to previous track lowering. It sounds like they will be using numerous techniques to get the job done, and I'd expect they will likely uncover unforeseen challenges within the scope of this project.

WM1977 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The other thing no one has mentioned is the older
> part of the tunnel is a brick arch construction. I
> would assume that they have figured out how to
> support the arch while making modifications to
> the floor which by the way supports the arch.
> CR



Date: 02/05/25 08:17
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: Cole42

While I haven't read the articles which may address this, I wonder how far north (RR east) above the Mt Royal end they will undercut to lessen the steepness of the grade coming out of the tiunnel, since the tunnel used to be a helper district for some trains.



Date: 02/05/25 16:48
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: farmer

march_hare Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> farmer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > One would think. The deeper they dig. The more
> > issues with water and drainage would arise
> >
> > Posted from iPhone
>
> With a well engineered project, and enough time to
> do it well, you can install subsurface drains
> along the edge of the track and drain that to the
> ends of the tunnel. With a relatively short
> tunnel, that should be doable, especially if you
> cut down on vertical infiltration through the roof
> at the same time. 

With Ed Sparks in charge. I don’t see any shortcuts being made



Date: 02/07/25 07:24
Re: CSX Begins Reconstruction of Historic Howard Street Tunnel
Author: Typhoon

farmer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> march_hare Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > farmer Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > One would think. The deeper they dig. The
> more
> > > issues with water and drainage would arise
> > >
> > > Posted from iPhone
> >
> > With a well engineered project, and enough time
> to
> > do it well, you can install subsurface drains
> > along the edge of the track and drain that to
> the
> > ends of the tunnel. With a relatively short
> > tunnel, that should be doable, especially if
> you
> > cut down on vertical infiltration through the
> roof
> > at the same time. 
>
> With Ed Sparks in charge. I don’t see any
> shortcuts being made

Agree.   



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