Pier removal clears way for new $2.7 billion Amtrak bridge across the Susquehanna River

The bridge is about 20 miles west of Newark and has been an example of century-old infrastructure along Amtrak's busy Northeast Corridor. 

Crews  removed the tenth and final remnant pier from the river. This is one of several nsteps before beginning construction of two new bridges with four  tracks that will replace the existing two-track Susquehanna River Bridge, which has been in operation since  1906.

Earlier this year, Amtrak’s contractor Fay Construction began demolition and removal of 10 leftover piers, which remained from a nearby 1866 railroad bridge that had its superstructure removed several decades ago. Work was completed in November with no injuries.

The railroad  salvaged pieces of history for the Town  of  Perryville and City of Havre de Grace. Some of the orignal stones from a few piers, including one block engraved with the date 1877 (commemorating later upgrades to the 1866 structure.

The stones were delivered to the City of Havre de Grace and the Town of Perryville, at their request. The stone blocks were made of locally sourced granite from the Port Deposit quarry, upriver from the project area.

According to an Amtrak release, the piers have long been hazard  to boaters. Removing the remnant piers will help mitigate a serious potential safety hazard for the many boaters that travel along the Susquehanna River.

A new bridge will enable top speeds of 160 mph, while also improving safety and navigation along  the mouth  of the Susquehanna River. The current maximum speed on the bridge is 90 miles an hour.

Prior to the removal process, the project team installed bird deterrent nets on the piers to prevent disruption to the potential nesting of migratory species..

 The Susquehanna River Bridge handles around  110 daily Amtrak, MARC commuter rail and freight trains.

The  Northeast Corridor is  America’s busiest passenger rail corridor. Final design is underway and major construction is expected to begin in mid- to-late 2025.

Wilmington start-up AmeriStarRail earlir urged Amtrak to keep the old bridge over the river for pedestrian use with Amtrak constructing a bi-level bridge that would allow train  speeds of 200 miles an hour.