The Environmental Impact Statement for the reconstruction and enhancement of CSX’s Virginia Avenue tunnel in Washington DC has been released
BALTACD: If these two tunnels eliminate the Virginia Ave choke point will Long Bridge become a choke point ? That is because some of the traffic over Long bridge will be going to Wash Union station. Additionally CSX may add more double stacks. Is there any way operationally for the Long Bridge traffic to have a changed signal system ?
Amtrak put in a high capacity signal system thru the North ( Hudson ) river tunnels. The system allows 90 second headways for passenger trains. Realize that freights would need more space following a train but passenger trains can close the gap ? Setting up useable signals aspects might be a challenge ?
If such a system can be put in place it might allow for more Amtrak and VRE trains to pass on Alexandria - WASH tracks. More trains is a priority of VA DOT. Might need to extend the high capacity signal system to ALX ?
If this system can be installed it may be possible to install within 18 months and allow more trains ? Of course funding is always a problem.
Replacement of the Long Bridge is currently in ‘long range’ planning. The plans being talked about also include Metro and highway traffic - what will come out of this planning remains to be seen. Atricles I have seen have at least 5 different plans being talked about.
It’s a hole in the ground. How much of an environmental impact can it have? JMJ!
CSX wants to open cut several blocks of Virginia Ave only a few feet from folks front steps on to the street. I support the project, but for those residing on Va. Ave and in the neighborhood, it will be a Big impact.
Certainly it’ll have an impact on the Virginia Ave. neighborhood, but that’s an impact on human beings, which certainly has to be taken into consideration. It’s not an “environmental” impact. The planet doesn’t care if you make a big hole in the ground. bigger.
Had CSX undertaken this project 10-15 years ago - no one would have cared as the area was a virtual slum. However, in recent years it has be YUPified and the current residents believe the railroad should just go away from DC. PERIOD! No Virginia Avenue Tunnel, No Long Bridge, no railroad in the District at all.
Environmental Impact Statements have been required by Federal law since 1973 for projects of this scope so they aren’t that new. I have seen statements that reported “no significant environmental impact”.
From a poster on another list –
CSX comment on Virginia Tunnel EIS (repeats link to study):
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 c
From Railway Age-
"$60 million federally funded study, which began last fall, is moving into a new phase with expanded public outreach and opportunities for residents and commuters to learn more about the project’s purpose and need.”
60 Million?!!! You could buy a medium sized engineering firm for that amount of $$$$$$. Now really how do we know that this $$$ is not a cover for black budget operations. Like do they have alians buried in the tunnel somewhere? Of course we mere mortals dare question any federal apropiation[:$]
Polish Falcon?
That would be my guess as well.
Second hand information has a few more details. There will be two separate tunnels. 1st a new tunnel will be built south of the present tunnel. This tunnel will have all clearances required. 2nd the present will be demolished and rebuilt as a twin to the south tunnel. 3rd Virginia avenue will be straightened to mirror the master Washington plan by L’Enfant… Other improvements to complete landscaping .
Construction time is listed as 30 - 42 months. Suspect that based on that time line the first tunnel might be completed in 15 - 20 months. Second tunnel might take longer due to demolishing the old one first ? So maybe by 2 years of construction start 1st tunnel will be in service for double stacks ? Completion times do not indicate how much time to install tracks signaling etc will take.
If the yuppies don’t like the area where they live, why do they not move away? Do they think they can take CSX, which in its predecessors was there a few days earlier, on and win?
Doesn’t dissuade them from crying and trying! Their hyperbolie is bordering on how the construction will cause the distruction of the lower 48 states.
What Industry is left in Dee Cee that gets rail anyway? I know of a stone depot and maybe once in a while cars for DC Metro and even those are getting trucked from Hornell nowadays
That is sort of irrelevant, as the tunnel is on a very busy through line. It is critical to expand the capacity regardless of what is shipped to and from DC.
I wonder if the estimated expense of the work includes removing the catenary supports that are still in place.