Start Date: Q2 2010 Estimated Completion: Q1 2011

Harpers Ferry Tunnel

Total Arch Liner Replacement / Portal Cap

Built between 1893 and 1894 and then modified in 1931, this tunnel is within the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. To achieve the minimum 21-foot vertical clearance necessary, the portals will be modified and a total arch liner replacement is planned for the entire length of the tunnel. The majority of the work will be performed inside the tunnel.

CSX Transportation has proposed several options for modifications to the east and west portals of the Harpers Ferry tunnel, which are proposed to be modified in order to accommodate double-stack freight trains. These options, which can be downloaded from the Project Resources section at the right of this page, are currently under review by the National Park Service, state authorities and local officials. If you would like to make a comment about any of the proposed options, please send us a message using the Ask a Question/Make a Comment form.

Update & Progress

Rescheduled Public Meeting for National Gateway Clearance Project in Harpers Ferry, WV
March 01, 2010

Wednesday, March 3, 2010
6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. (Open House Format)
Quality Inn Ballroom,
4328 William L. Wilson Highway, Harpers Ferry,
West Virginia, 25425

CSX Transportation (CSXT) will host a public open house to discuss the National Gateway initiative clearance improvements on four tunnels in Maryland including Graham Tunnel near Magnolia, WV; Harpers Ferry Tunnel in Sandy Hook, MD; Catoctin Tunnel in Catoctin, MD; and Point of Rocks Tunnel in Point of Rocks, MD.

This special project involves increasing the vertical clearance over the CSXT tracks through four tunnels to obtain necessary vertical clearance required to allow double-stacked, intermodal, freight trains to pass through the structures. These double-stacked freight trains will allow for more efficient movement of freight between Midwest producers and consumers with mid-Atlantic ports and world markets. The work is being coordinated with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA).

CSX Transportation National Gateway Clearance Projects Open House
February 01, 2010

Open house regarding the Graham Tunnel, Magnolia in Morgan County; Harpers Ferry Tunnel, Sandy Hook, Md.; Catoctin Tunnel, Catoctin, Md.; and Point-of-Rocks Tunnel, Point of Rocks, Md. When: 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday February 2, 2010 Where: Quality Inn, 4328 William L. Wilson FWY , Harpers Ferry, WV, US, 25425 Highway (U.S. 340), Harpers Ferry.

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Project Resources

Project Resources

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