Release of environmental report, Record of Decision allows Gateway tunnel project to move forward
The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration have issued the final Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision on the Gateway tunnel project under the Hudson River, which clears the way for the project to receive federal funding. “This is a big step for the Northeast, and for the entire country, as these tunnels connect so many people, jobs, and businesses,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a press release. “… Now we need to make sure to provide the funding America needs to deliver world-leading infrastructure in this region and in every part of the country.” The $11.6 billion project — which will build new Northeast Corridor tunnels connecting New Jersey and New York’s Penn Station — is a joint effort of NJ Transit, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Amtrak, and the Gateway Development Commission. The FRA began the environmental review in May 2016; its completion will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue a permit for the project, which is expected later this year. The documents, and other information about the project, are available here.
Deal between CP, Canadian government will allow Lac-Megantic bypass completion in 2023
The Canadian government has signed an agreement with Canadian Pacific that will allow studies and plans to be completed for building of a rail bypass around Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. “This agreement marks the beginning of a new phase that will bring us closer to construction,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a press release. “I want to reassure the mayors and residents of the Lac-Mégantic area and tell them that the project will be completed in 2023.” The government recently announced additional progress on the bypass [see “Digest: Engineering work advances Lac-Mégantic bypass preparations,” Trains News Wire, May 12, 2021], which will reroute CP’s line away from the site of the derailment and fire that killed 47 in 2013.
Sale of KCS line could help New Orleans-Baton Rouge passenger rail efforts
The proposed sale of Kansas City Southern’s New Orleans-Baton Rouge rail line could aid longstanding efforts to launch rail passenger service between the two cities. The Baton Rouge Advocate reports the KCS line is the preferred route for the service, according to John Spain, executive vice President of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, in part because it has access to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Canadian National and KCS have said they plan to sell the line as part of their merger plans because both railroads have parallel routes between the two cities. That sets up a scenario in which most freight service could be concentrated on the CN line, while the KCS line could see passenger service and more limited freight operations.
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