Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:

Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration

Description:

The FRA, as the lead federal agency, and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) prepared a Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq. (NEPA). The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) was involved with the development of the Project through the NEPA process as a cooperating agency in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulation 40 CFR 1508.5.

The Project involved an extensive public outreach campaign to ensure the public is informed, including several opportunities for public comment on study findings and recommendations. Outreach efforts included several open houses and community association meetings, elected official briefings, three public hearings and a Project website (www.bptunnel.com). The FRA released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on November 25, 2016, which summarized the alternatives evaluation from DEIS, including review of the alternatives, their ability to meet the Purpose and Need of the Project, and their potential impacts to the social, cultural, and natural environment.

On March 24, 2017, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the B&P Tunnel Project, documenting the selection of the Preferred Alternative (Alternative 3B) and three ventilation facilities, one each at the North and South portals and the intermediate ventilation facility site at 900-940 West North Avenue.  The estimated cost, which has not changed since the FEIS, is $4.5 billion. The project is not currently funded for construction.

In addition, pertinent information can be found at the project's FRA webpage, https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P1006.