Amtrak announced it kicked off procurement phase for the $1+ billion Southern Approach construction package, which is the first of three construction contracts for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program in Baltimore.

Amtrak has issued a Request for Letters Of Interest (LOI) to the industry, indicating that this portion of the program will be completed under a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) delivery approach.

“This is a major milestone for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program and this contract includes several critical elements of the project,” said Laura Mason, Amtrak EVP of Capital Delivery. “Amtrak will be procuring multiple construction contracts as part of the program, which will include the construction of the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel, and other supporting investments, such as new bridges and railroad infrastructure, improving this vital stretch of the Northeast Corridor for generations to come.”

Contractors interested in serving as the CMAR must complete the LOI in order to be eligible to receive the RFP (Request For Proposals) that will be issued for this portion of the project later this year. Amtrak will issue the RFP only to those contractors who have submitted timely and compliant LOIs. Interested contractors can visit Amtrak’s Procurement Portal located here for further information and submittal requirements.

Construction contracts of subsequent portions of the program will be procured separately.  Amtrak continues to advance design, property acquisitions, and preparations for other smaller construction projects associated with the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, which will transform the Northeast Corridor in West Baltimore. The program includes nearly $5 billion of construction, and after receipt of new federal funding created by last year’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Amtrak will be ready to complete early construction activities.