Received the following via email.
More info on this project in Washington, DC, following the CSX announcement.
CSX Applauds Release of Final Environmental Impact Statement
for Virginia Avenue
Tunnel Reconstruction Project
Path Forward Incorporates Community Feedback and Addresses
Concerns
JACKSONVILLE,
Fla. - June 13, 2014 -
CSX applauds the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the District
Department of Transportation (DDOT) for advancing the reconstruction of CSX's
Virginia Avenue Tunnel in a way that responds to community concerns in the
project's design and construction plan. The Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS) issued today by FHWA and DDOT identifies the preferred
alternative for construction, "Alternative 3 - Two New Tunnels."
Specific details of the alternative are available via a FHWA/DDOT fact sheet at
www.virginiaavenuetunnel.com.
CSX is proposing to spend hundreds of millions of company
dollars to reconstruct this 110-year old tunnel, to move people and goods more
efficiently for the benefit of commuters and businesses in the District and
throughout the region. The release of the FEIS is a critical step forward to
modernize the country's aging infrastructure in a way that promotes the safety
and well-being of local neighbors.
"The preferred alternative is the direct result of
years of community input during the environmental review process. It addresses
community concerns and prioritizes neighborhood safety and security during
construction. Under this plan, construction is expected to take approximately
30 to 42 months and trains will run in an enclosed tunnel in front of
residences," said Louis Renjel, vice president, strategic infrastructure
initiatives. "Today's announcement means CSX and the Virginia Avenue community can focus our
ongoing discussions on a single potential construction plan, discuss the
potential impacts of that plan, and share information about the many things CSX
would do to minimize those impacts."
CSX's efforts to minimize the impact of construction would
include actions that would be naturally a part of the construction plan;
additional actions CSX would take during construction to minimize impacts; and
actions CSX would take after construction to help enhance the Virginia Avenue
neighborhood.
"CSX has a strong track record of working in a way that
respects our neighbors. We look forward to continuing to talk with the Virginia
Avenue community and public officials as we fulfill our commitments: to make
safety our top priority during and after construction; to minimize the impacts
of construction on local residents and businesses; and to collaborate with the
community on enhancements that help make a great neighborhood even
better," said Renjel.
Under the preferred alternative construction plan, CSX would
be required to take certain actions to reduce the impact from construction,
including:
* Limiting construction hours;
* Controlling dust at the construction site to maintain air
quality;
* Reducing construction noise and vibration by creating
physical barriers, choosing less noisy construction techniques, and doing noise
and vibration monitoring;
* Working with District Department of Transportation to
monitor and maintain traffic flow around the construction site as necessary to
reduce impact;
* Providing compensation to the residents who are impacted
the most - the residents directly next to the project - and to Virginia Avenue
Tunnel neighborhood organizations, to minimize construction impacts as the
residents and organizations choose.
CSX would also make enhancements to the new streetscape to
complement the other development in the neighborhood. That effort would include
reconstructing Virginia Avenue
and other affected areas, including Virginia
Avenue Park
and the Marine Corps Recreation Facility, to a standard higher than before
construction. In addition, the FEIS requires significant actions and
investments by CSX, including:
* Improving access to Garfield Park
for wheelchair-dependent individuals;
* Building a continuous bike path between 2nd and 9th
Streets connecting Garfield Park and Virginia
Avenue Park;
* Straightening the alignment of Virginia Avenue SE within the 400 block
to be consistent with the original L'Enfant Plan;
* Improving the traffic lane configuration between 5th/6th
and 8th Streets to provide safer and calmer traffic conditions; and
* Installing landscaping and improved street lighting,
traffic signals and crosswalks.
The FEIS is available for review for 30 days before an
official decision is released, and can be downloaded from
www.virginiaavenuetunnel.com. A public meeting will also be held on July 1,
2014, at the Capitol Skyline Hotel,
10
Eye Street SW, Washington, DC 20024.
The meeting will include a presentation on the details about construction and
will include a brief time to ask questions of the project team.
About CSX
CSX, based in
Jacksonville,
Florida, is a premier
transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck
transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets,
including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer
products. For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's
economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major
metropolitan area in the eastern
United States, where nearly
two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240
short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major
population centers and small farming towns alike. More information about CSX
Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on
Facebook (
http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (
http://twitter.com/CSX).
Contact:
Melanie Cost
(904) 359-1702
melanie_cost@csx.com
Where is the Project Located?
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