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Amtrak’s New Frederick Douglass Tunnel Project

Posted March 31, 2022 at 1:25 PM

Amtrak has initiated its Frederick Douglass Tunnel Project, to construct new twin railway tunnels through West Baltimore. It will replace its 150-year-old Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel, which has been called Amtrack’s worst bottleneck between Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.

Amtrak will be acquiring property through negotiation and eminent domain. This project is a priority for Amtrak. The recently-passed $1 trillion Federal infrastructure bill will provide the funding necessary for the project to move forward.

Amtrak acquisition agents are currently making offers to owners to acquire the property necessary for the project. If they have not already, property owners should expect to receive initial contact from the State regarding the need to appraise their property, or an offer to acquire it, in the coming months. Property owners do not have to accept the State’s offer for their property. Often the government’s offer does not capture the full value of the property rights to be acquired, or account for all the damages that may be caused to any remainder of the property not being taken. Property owners are entitled to be fully compensated for both.

The eminent domain attorneys at Miller, Miller & Canby will review any offer made by the State without charge to determine whether we believe you may be entitled to greater compensation than has been offered by the State.  If you are interested in a no obligation review of your offer, or if you have any questions about your rights or the condemnation process, please call our office at 301-762-5212 and ask to speak with one of our eminent domain attorneys.  To learn more about our eminent domain and condemnation law practice click here and view our representative cases by clicking here.