CSX, Maryland Leaders Hold Ribbon-Cutting at Port of Baltimore

Maryland Governor Wes Moore and CSX host a ribbon-cutting at Port of Baltimore.

Maryland Governor's Office

BALTIMORE - The Maryland Port Administration held a celebration at the Port of Baltimore to celebrate the launch of double-stack service through the Howard Street Tunnel.

According to the Governor’s office, Governor Wes Moore attended the ribbon-cutting to celebrate the start of double-stack service. The event marks the end of a $495 million project to expand the Howard Street Tunnel. In September, RT&S reported the tunnel had reopened after CSX completed modernization efforts, including increasing vertical clearance and addressing 22 obstructions along the corridor. At the time, CSX chief engineer of bridge design and construction Ed Sparks said, “This is a tremendous opportunity to alleviate a restriction on our network and open up new opportunities for CSX.”

Once completed, the project, also named one of RT&S Top Projects for 2026, eliminated a bottleneck along the I-95 corridor and was made possible by the State of Maryland, the FRA, and CSX. Coming in under a projected budget of $566 million, the $495 million project had an investment of $217 million from the State of Maryland, according to the report. By allowing double-stack capacity from Massachusetts to Florida, the Port’s container business is expected to increase by an estimated 160,000 containers annually. More than 13,000 jobs are also expected to be created as a result of the increased capacity.

CSX CEO Steve Angel said, “With full double-stack clearance now in place, we’ve removed a long-standing constraint in Baltimore and unlocked a more direct, efficient connection between the Port and inland markets. . . This strengthens a critical link in our network and enables us to move more freight on existing trains, giving customers greater access, capacity and flexibility across the East Coast.”

“At a time when our country is celebrating its 250th birthday, it’s worth remembering the role rail has played in building and connecting this nation. Today, that legacy continues.”

CEO Angel continued.

“Today we officially celebrate a new era of growth and opportunity for the Port of Baltimore,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson. “This major infrastructure project will help grow our economy, create family-sustaining jobs and strengthen our transportation system. Thanks to Governor Moore’s leadership, our dedicated longshoremen and great partnerships with Ports America Chesapeake and CSX, the Port of Baltimore stands ready to process even more cargo.”

“This is one of the most significant accomplishments in the history of the Port of Baltimore,” said Maryland Port Administration Executive Director Jonathan Daniels.  “Expanding a 131-year-old freight tunnel by lowering the track 18 inches to provide the necessary clearance to handle double-stacked containers will generate more business and jobs for the Port while also creating valuable environmental benefits.  Now with double-stack capabilities, the Port of Baltimore becomes the quickest and most efficient way to get containerized cargo to the Midwest.”

Watch Double-stacked service traverse through the Howard Street Tunnel