B&P Tunnel FEIS released

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Amtrak

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been released for the B&P Tunnel replacement project, which would rebuild this critical link on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) that was originally built in 1873.

 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released the FEIS in coordination with the Maryland Department of Transportation, Amtrak and the Baltimore City Department of Transportation.

The federally-funded engineering and environmental study identifies the Preferred Alternative for a new tunnel alignment that would replace the existing B&P Tunnel. The 143-year-old, two-track B&P Tunnel is located between the West Baltimore MARC Station and Penn Station along Amtrak’s NEC in Baltimore, Md. The tunnel is owned by Amtrak and also used by Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) trains and Norfolk Southern Railway freight trains.

The FEIS provides an evaluation of three build alternatives, their ability to meet the purpose and need of the project, and their likely impact to the social, cultural and natural environments. The FEIS also identifies the Preferred Alternative, including the intended location of the Intermediate Ventilation Facility Site on West North Avenue; responds to public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) released in December 2015; and recommends potential mitigation measures to address the documented environmental impacts of the Preferred Alternative.

The document was made available for public review starting Nov. 25, 2016. Project officials also will host Community Information Meetings on Dec. 8 and Dec. 10 regarding the document. In accordance with federal regulations, FRA will impose a waiting period of at least 30 days after the publication of the FEIS and prior to publication of FRA’s final Record of Decision (ROD).

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