By Lynda Myer
In order to move forward in the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program, Amtrak has selected Advance, that is a joint venture led by Aecom and Jacobs, as delivery partner, which is due to manage oversight of design, construction management, contract management as well as other administrative support for the US$6bn project in Baltimore.
Additionally, the team comprises of Sener, Turner & Townsend, RailPros, Aldea, and Dr Sauer, as well as 22 qualified disadvantaged and small business enterprises (DBE/SBE) that will help meet the delivery partner’s 14% DBE/SBE goal, whereas it is the first time Amtrak has used a delivery partner model.
“We’re excited to welcome the Advance team onboard and appreciate the vast experience they’ll bring to our integrated project management team,” said Amtrak assistant vice-president Luigi Rosa.
The Kiewit/JF Shea joint venture has been chosen by Amtrak in February 2024 to build the 3.2km tunnel.
As the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program will modernize and transform a 6.4km section of the Northeast Corridor. It is slated to be delivered under three contracts and includes the construction of two new high-capacity tubes for electrified passenger trains, new roadway and railroad bridges, new rail systems and track, and a new station at West Baltimore.
Considering that the existing B&P Tunnel with 2.25km length is linking Baltimore’s Penn Station to Washington and Virginia and it is almost 150 years old,it is known as Amtrak’s oldest tunnel and so suffers from a variety of age-related issues such as excessive water infiltration, a deteriorating structure, and a sinking floor.
Demolition work is under way, and major construction, including utility relocation and work on the first of five bridges, is scheduled to begin later this year.
