WEBINAR: CSX's Howard Street Tunnel (HST) Project
When:
- March 10, 2026
- 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Via Zoom
MDSPE Member: $30
Non-Member: $65
Please note, our payment processor cannot currently accept AMEX.
Contact:
Mackenzie Gerrity, mgerrity@mdspe.org
Event Details
CSX’s Howard Street Tunnel (HST) Project represents a major milestone in railroad engineering. The initiative involves the reconstruction of the Howard Street Tunnel, which stretches for 8,700 feet as a single-track tunnel beneath downtown Baltimore. Originally built in the 1890s, the tunnel’s modernization is focused on increasing its vertical clearance. This upgrade is essential to allow double-stack trains to pass through, thereby eliminating the last significant clearance barrier on CSX’s I-95 corridor for double-stack intermodal service.
Historically, the limited vertical clearance of the Howard Street Tunnel has constrained the efficiency of intermodal operations for both CSX and the Port of Baltimore. State and federal officials have consistently acknowledged that this restriction is a major barrier to the Port’s future growth and development.
The presentation will provide a detailed account of the processes and strategies adopted by CSX and its partners to reconstruct the tunnel safely and efficiently. Highlights will include how the team was able to achieve the necessary clearances while adhering to an accelerated project timeline, a description of the major design and construction challenges encountered, and the innovative solutions developed and implemented by CSX and their Design-Build partners, Skanska-Fay JV and Hatch.
The presentation will explore how a public-private partnership was instrumental in advancing a critical infrastructure project by leveraging innovative design and construction techniques to enhance a vital freight asset.
Zoom Link will be provided ahead of the webinar.
Meet the Presenter:
Brandon Knapp | Director Construction – Public Projects for CSX Transportation
Brandon Knapp is the Director Construction – Public Projects for CSX Transportation. He has held various positions within the Engineering Department including in both Maintenance of Way and Design and Construction in his 17 year career at CSX. He is currently responsible for managing and implementing major capital and publically funded projects across the CSX system including the Howard Street Tunnel Clearance Program. He is a Professional Engineer licensed in the state of Florida and is active in the AREMA organization.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
M.B.A. University of Florida, 2012
B.S. Civil Engineering: University of Kentucky, 2004