How a new tunnel in Baltimore will transform East Coast industry

For decades, Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel has been both an asset and a chokehold. Built in 1895 by the B&O Railroad, it was once an engineering triumph; by the late 20th century, its low clearances kept double-stack trains from passing through, capping Baltimore’s competitiveness and straining America’s supply chain. The problem was obvious for generations — and now, at last, it has been fixed.

The Howard Street Tunnel has always been a direct rail artery through one of America’s historic industrial port cities. But for years, its 19.5-foot clearance blocked the standard of modern freight: double-stack containers. While rivals like Norfolk and New York advanced, Baltimore absorbed higher costs and slower service.

With the recent reopening, CSX has completed a $450 million expansion o