A massive bridge project just kicked off in Maryland. Updates to The Susquehanna River Bridge broke ground on Friday, July 19, the first steps in creating two new structures to serve 110 daily Amtrak routes.
“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 Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “Thanks to funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, continued support from the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress, and strong coordination with our partners, Amtrak is advancing a new era
of passenger rail with state-of-the-art bridges, tunnels and trains on the way.”
Amtrak’s Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) rail and Norfolk Southern Railway travel via the Susquehanna River Bridge, the longest moveable bridge on the Northeast Corridor. Constructed in 1906, the bridge is due for some updates for safety, capacity and efficiency, and the new structures will offer significant improvements to commuter and freight rail trips.
The $2.7 billion project is supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, via funding from a $2.08 billion grant, plus additional funding by Amtrak and the state of Maryland.
“Upgrading our state’s and our nation’s aging infrastructure—like the century-old Susquehanna River Bridge – was one of our top priorities in passing the infrastructure modernization law,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “This critical investment will ultimately make Marylanders’ commutes shorter and safer while strengthening our supply chains. And because of the $2 billion investment we fought to secure, workers are now getting on the job to build a new bridge that will improve rail service and get cargo where it needs to go on time.”
Upon completion, the new structures will be able to carry two trains in both directions, doubling the route’s capacity, and handle trains traveling at up to 160 miles per hour.