Amtrak launches Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project

Amtrak’s recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $2.7 billion Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project in Northeast Maryland.

The bridge serves approximately 110 daily Amtrak, Maryland Area Rail Commuter rail and freight trains.

The project will build two, higher fixed-span two-track bridges; and modernize and improve five miles of track, catenary and signals, including three interlockings.

The project will increase passenger rail capacity, improve reliability and safety, eliminate conflicts with maritime traffic, and increase trains speeds with a higher maximum speed of 160 miles per hour.

“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,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said at the event. “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.”

Preconstruction work includes utility upgrades in the town of Perryville and demolishing and removing 10 remnant bridge piers from the Susquehanna River. The piers are the remnants of an 1866 railroad bridge that was located east of the existing bridge.

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