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2h ago

CSX Reopens Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel, Easing East Coast Freight Bottleneck

Freight is moving again through the 130-year-old corridor after an accelerated $450 million overhaul.

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A double-stacked freight train stands as backdrop for the ceremony to reopen the expanded Howard Street Tunnel marking a milestone toward modernizing freight rail capacity from the Port of Baltimore throughout the East Coast. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)
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Overview

  • CSX resumed train movements through the enlarged tunnel on Sept. 26, with officials saying the project finished ahead of schedule and on budget.
  • Regular double-stacked intermodal trains are slated to start after remaining bridge clearances between Baltimore and Philadelphia are completed, which is expected in early 2026.
  • The public–private financing totals more than $450 million, with Maryland committing over $200 million, a federal grant of about $125 million, CSX contributing roughly $140 million, and a smaller share from Pennsylvania.
  • Crews excavated and lowered the railbed to gain clearance, and CSX opted for a full closure that diverted roughly 16 daily trains to longer routes, saving about $48 million and shortening construction time.
  • CSX and public officials say the upgrade will shift more freight to rail and strengthen the Port of Baltimore, with the company projecting about 160,000 additional containers a year and more than 13,000 jobs once full double-stack service begins.