Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel Project.

Transcription

1 Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel Project

2 MEETING AGENDA Project Background Review Purpose of Meeting Alternatives Carried Forward for Further Study Alternatives Evaluated & Screening Process Portal Renderings Ventilation Plants Alternatives Evaluation Matrix Next Steps

3 PROJECT BACKGROUND What is the B&P Tunnel Project? Engineering and environmental study (NEPA) to develop and evaluate alternatives to the existing Amtrak tunnel that connects the West Baltimore MARC and Baltimore Penn Stations Evaluation of alternatives designed to improve capacity, reliability and travel time for existing and projected passenger rail service on Amtrak s Northeast Corridor (NEC)

4 PROJECT TEAM Grantor/NEPA Lead Grantee Tunnel Owner Project Partner

5 B&P TUNNEL DESCRIPTION Constructed in 1873 Spans 1.4 miles and comprises three tunnels: John Street Tunnel Wilson Street Tunnel Gilmor Street Tunnel Located on Amtrak s Northeast Corridor (NEC) Used by Amtrak, MARC, and Norfolk Southern 143 passenger trains (21,600 passengers) per day 2 freight trains per day 5

6 ALTERNATIVES B&P TUNNEL LOCATION CONSIDERED 6

7 PROJECT PURPOSE The primary purpose of the project is to address the structural and operational deficiencies of the existing B&P Tunnel which: Is approaching the end of its useful life Does not provide enough capacity to support current and projected demands Is not suited for modern high-speed usage due to tight clearances and sharp curves, which limit train speeds through the tunnel to 30 mph

8 PROJECT PURPOSE (CONT D) The B&P Tunnel Project is intended to: Improve travel time Accommodate existing and projected travel demand for passenger rail services (regional and commuter) Eliminate impediments to existing and projected operations along the NEC Provide operational reliability Take into account the value of the existing tunnel as an important element of Baltimore's rail infrastructure 8

9 ALTERNATIVES ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD CONSIDERED 9

10 ALTERNATIVE REFINEMENT The project team has been refining the Alternatives carried forward for detailed study. During this time, the team has determined that: Four (4) tracks will be required to meet the project purpose and need Each track will be placed in an individual bore to help with traffic operations Options to the two build alternatives (3 and 11) can help to avoid and/or minimize impacts to operation 10

11 TRACK OPERATIONS Four tracks are needed through Baltimore to accommodate future high-frequency passenger train service on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Four tracks located in four separate tunnel bores are proposed. Four tracks support train capacity requirements and operational flexibility for conflict-free operations. 11

12 ALTERNATIVE 1: NO BUILD Continued use of existing tunnel with necessary maintenance Used as a baseline to compare other alternatives against If Alternative 1 is not selected, the ultimate disposition or use of the existing tunnel will still need to be determined 12

13 ALTERNATIVE 2 Reconstruction and modernization of the existing B&P Tunnel in place: Would eliminate deteriorating conditions and result in a modernized 2-track tunnel Would include complete replacement of tunnel features Would require cut-and-cover construction for the full width of the street along the length of the existing alignment Would result in significant disruption of passenger service during construction 13

14 ALTERNATIVE 2 DETAILS Reconstruction of tunnel to modern design standards Increase horizontal tunnel clearance +/- 18 ft. Increase vertical tunnel clearance +/- 5 ft Cut-and-cover construction for full width of street along entire alignment All tracks along NEC would need to be closed during construction 14

15 OPTIONS TO ALTS 3 & 11 15

16 COMPARISON OF ALT 3 OPTIONS Alternative 3 Option 3A Wide arc north of existing B&P Tunnel Gradual curve improves train speeds relative to existing B&P Tunnel Passes beneath existing light rail station platform Would be bored beneath existing Metro rail tunnel, no modification needed No modifications needed to West Baltimore MARC Station Alternative 3 Option 3B Similar to Alternative 3A with south portal shifted further east Improves curvature over 3A and existing B&P Tunnel Passes beneath existing light rail platform Would be bored beneath existing Metro rail tunnel, no modifications needed Would improve curve at West Baltimore MARC Station Alternative 3 Option 3C Similar to Alternative 3A with south portal shifted further west Would improve curve at West Baltimore MARC Station 16

17 ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION A SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING 17

18 ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION A SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING 18

19 ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION A SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING CLOSE-UP 19

20 ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION A SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING CLOSE-UP 20

21 ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION B SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING 21

22 ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION B SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING 22

23 ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION B SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING CLOSE UP 23

24 ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION B SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING CLOSE UP 24

25 ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION C SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING 25

26 ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION C SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING 26

27 ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION C SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING CLOSE UP 27

28 ALTS. CARRIED FORWARD ALTERNATIVE 3 OPTION C SOUTH PORTAL RENDERING CLOSE UP 28

29 ALTERNATIVES 3 & 11 NORTH PORTAL RENDERING 29

30 ALTERNATIVES 3 & 11 NORTH PORTAL RENDERING 30