Amtrak will begin accepting grant applications March 23 for eligible projects along the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel alignment in Baltimore as part of a $50 million phased investment that will coincide with major construction underway.

The Community Investment Program (CIP) is part of the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, which is building a new rail alignment and tunnel to replace the more than 150-year-old B&P Tunnel.

Project and Federal Oversight

“Amtrak’s B&P tunnel is a critical component of our ongoing efforts to improve the state of good repair along the Northeast Corridor,” said FRA Administrator David Fink. “As FRA Administrator, I look forward to working with Amtrak to make sure these dollars are spent efficiently and that the project is completed on time.”

“The Community Investment Program is part of Amtrak’s efforts to address construction impacts in the community as we deliver this infrastructure project,” said Luigi Rosa, assistant vice president at Amtrak. “We’ve installed sound barriers, implemented noise and vibration monitoring, and deployed our outreach team to identify and address any issues that may arise. We will work to administer the Community Investment Program effectively and efficiently.”

CIP Community Grants

When the application period opens following publication of a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the Amtrak Grants Portal on March 23, qualified nonprofit organizations and city or state government entities may apply for funding to support projects located within one-quarter mile of the program alignment and qualifying under one of six investment categories:

• Community development
• Parks and recreation
• Open space
• Transportation
• Workforce development
• Historic preservation

Transportation improvement projects may occur within one-half mile of the program alignment.

Interested entities are encouraged to sign up for B&P Tunnel Replacement Program emails to receive notification and a link to apply when the NOFO is published and the application process opens. Amtrak will award grants through a competitive process based on merit and eligibility following review and evaluation of applications.

Amtrak will also seek an organization to administer a $2.75 million historic preservation grant fund for projects in the Midtown Edmondson and Edmondson Avenue Historic Districts. The fund is supported through the Community Investment Program.

Amtrak will select the fund administrator through a competitive process based on merit and eligibility. Additional details will be provided during the information session listed below.

Workforce Hub

Amtrak will dedicate $5 million to create a Workforce Hub aimed at preparing Baltimore residents for job opportunities related to the program and other regional projects.

Amtrak is partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and the Maryland Philanthropic Network to provide training, mentoring and related services to help participants prepare for construction careers.

Additional details about eligibility requirements, investment categories, evaluation criteria and program administration are available on the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program website.