Howard Street Tunnel Opens for Double-Stack Rail Service, Transforming Port of Baltimore

On Monday, the Howard Street Tunnel officially began double-stack rail service, a significant milestone in a project that has been in the works for decades. This $466 million investment is hailed by local, state, and federal leaders as one of Maryland's most critical infrastructure upgrades.

Governor Wes Moore emphasized the importance of this development, stating, "Officially double stack is now here in the state of Maryland." The tunnel had long served as a bottleneck, limiting the Port of Baltimore's cargo movement compared to other states.

Construction to enhance the tunnel's height by lowering its floor commenced in 2022. CSX CEO Steve Angel noted that the project has now established vital connections across the region. "With the Howard Street Tunnel and the final bridge work complete, CSX has full double stacked clearance between the Port of Baltimore, key midwestern markets, and the broader east coast network," Angel explained.

Governor Moore remarked on the shift from previous delays in infrastructure projects, stating, "For too long we saw how our state watched vital infrastructure projects get stalled by bureaucracy and bogged down by delays." He expressed optimism about the future of Maryland's infrastructure.

U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks highlighted the economic implications of the project, asserting that it would enhance the port's competitiveness, expand its capacity, and create thousands of jobs, generating approximately $1 billion in annual economic benefits.

Scott Cowan, President of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 333, acknowledged the tunnel's completion as a significant achievement but stressed the need for ongoing maintenance. "This is a big deal and it was the Achilles heel for the Port of Baltimore for years. Now it's fixed, but we need to take care of our facilities and infrastructure," Cowan stated.

With the Howard Street Tunnel now operational, the Port of Baltimore is projected to handle an additional 160,000 containers each year, supporting over 13,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).