CSX tunnel modernisation done
A joint venture of Skanska and Fay, part of S&B USA Construction, has substantially completed Csx’s Howard street tunnel modernisation in Baltimore ahead of schedule. The more than USD 450m project removes clearance restrictions for double-stack trains on the rail corridor between Baltimore and Philadelphia. The around 2650 m long brick-and-stone tunnel, built in 1895, has been upgraded by increasing clearance by around 0,6 m without altering the original arch as Skanska reported.
Works included demolishing and excavating the old floor and installing nearly 1,200 precast concrete slabs using a custom-built railcar gantry crane. The company expects the project to improve freight rail efficiency and capacity across the Mid-Atlantic corridor and to Midwest destinations, while supporting supply chain flows f.e. through the port of Baltimore. CSX said the modernisation extends the tunnel’s lifespan without the cost of building new infrastructure. "Delivering this complex project ahead of schedule demonstrates what’s possible when engineering expertise meets strategic vision," stated Keith Chouinard, Skanska SVP and general manager. (js)