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
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
* Improving access to Garfield Park
* 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
About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville ,
Florida 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