This may improve two of CSX Intermodal service lane offerings by permitting use of double-stacked domestic containers (20' 2") to/from the Port of Baltimore (instead of just single stacked COFC) and:
- Chicago/New Baltimore OH/Pittsburgh area via daily IM trains Q137/Q138
- Jacksonville via daily IM trains Q031/Q032
Note that while Q031/Q032 trains operate north of Baltimore to/from Port of NJ, a restrictive clearance tunnel at Darby PA will prevent double stacks from running between NJ and Jax. As the Port of Baltimore does enjoy single stacked container service today, it would seem one of the easy options CSX has should Baltimore IM traffic volume grows is to add single stacked cars to existing trains (or even add trains if volume warrants) with zero dollar capital outlays. And ditto for Port of NJ - Jax IM traffic. Also note that CSX only offers a pair of IM trains in each of these two lanes;not a fleet of trains that CSX runs between Port of NJ and the midwest. I'm guessing this is why CSX has been lukewarm to this project. Clearly, Baltimore and the state of Maryland are driving the Howard St tunnel clearance project using a lot of Other People's Money (ie, Federal tax $).
Also note that CSX Domestic double stack service between the midwest and Port of NJ exists today operating via Selkirk. Similarly, now that the Virginia St tunnel clearance has been raised in Washington DC, double stack service between Portsmouth VA and the midwest is facilitated via daily IM trains Q135/Q136.
Perhaps an unannounced important side benefit to CSX by enlarging the Howard St tunnel is to resolve the debilitating water leak issues the tunnel has experienced over the past few years.
PS: I've been observing many container trains running on CSX and NS via various live rail cams (eg Fostoria OH, Chesterton IN, Vickers OH) and I've seen a lot of empty well cars and spine cars running in all directions, perhaps reflecting the winding down of the Christmas season merchandise traffic. IOW, there's a lot of underutilized IM capacity on the RRs bow. Worldwide trade volatility and uncertainty isn't helping on the demand side.