Amtrak has selected the Advance joint venture to deliver the USD 6 billion Frederick Douglass Tunnel programme. The Advance joint venture comprises Aecom and Jacobs that will establish an integrated programme management team alongside Amtrak’s in-house Capital Delivery department to advance the programme through completion.
“We’re proud to award this important delivery partner contract that will help continue the positive momentum for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel programme. Amtrak has built an industry-leading Capital Delivery department and continues to leverage innovative project delivery approaches like this, as we work to replace and modernize our critical infrastructure assets,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery Laura Mason.”
Amtrak says that the joint venture has a demonstrated track record managing delivery partner and CMAR contracts for rail tunneling and train station projects around the world. This team features a consortium of industry-leading firms, including Sener, Turner & Townsend, RailPros, Aldea, and Dr. Sauer, as well as 22 additional highly qualified disadvantaged and small business enterprises (DBE/SBE) that will help meet the delivery partner’s 14% DBE/SBE goal.
The delivery partner’s work will include design oversight, construction management, contract management and other administrative support, among other tasks.
In February 2024, Amtrak selected Kiewit/J.F. Shea joint venture to build the brand new, state-of-the-art passenger rail tunnel that will serve electrified Amtrak and MARC commuter trains. Located just south of Baltimore Penn Station, the new tunnel will serve electrified passenger trains with two parallel, single-track tunnel tubes, each approximately two miles long. It will also support much faster travel speeds than the existing tunnel, where trains are currently limited to maximum speeds of 30 mph due to the tight curves.
The overall programme is scheduled for completion in 2035 and will be delivered through three major construction contracts, which include replacing five road and rail bridges, building new rail infrastructure (interlockings, tracks, catenary/power, etc.) and constructing a new ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC Station; building the Frederick Douglass Tunnel (both tubes) and fitting out the new tunnel with tracks, rail systems and ventilation facilities.
In addition, in September 2023, Amtrak awarded Clark Construction/Stacy and Witbeck joint venture the demolition contracts and a CMAR contract for the Program’s “Southern Approach,” which includes a new ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC Station, replacing multiple bridges, and constructing tracks and other railroad infrastructure.
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