Originally uploaded to flickr by cindy47452
CSX offered local bloggers the chance to tour the stretch of Virginia Ave SE that will be the site of a temporary track and tunnel reconstruction project beginning as early as winter 2011. While the tour yielded little new information about the construction project or CSX’s plans post construction, CSX representatives did share what community members can expect in the months leading up to construction.
What we know: the project is currently in the early stages of the NEPA process, which includes everything from environmental impact to quality of life and traffic studies. CSX expects results from the NEPA process will be available in late December to early January. (This isn’t to say the CSX isn’t working behind the scenes with the District and small business owners to coordinate construction projects, including 225 Virginia Ave , and lessen the impact on small businesses such as Dog-ma.) Until then, don’t expect CSX representatives to comment on concrete plans until the results of the NEPA process are released at the end of the year.
“When the process is complete,” said Flippin, “we will present the findings to community members for comment.”
Flippin indicated that CSX would take the comments from community members and business owners into consideration and make appropriate adjustments based on the comments/concerns of the community.
Construction will then begin on the temporary bridges that will cross the site spanning from 2rd Street SE to 11th Street before moving on to construction of a temporary track and the tunnel enlargement project that started it all.
The project is expected to last through 2014.
I hope everyone is paying attention to this project, which will disrupt our neighborhood for three years. The only reason for the project is so that CSX can operate more and larger freight trains through our neighborhood. No passenger trains run through this tunnel—only freight trains that pass through DC without stopping. The project will last three years and threatens to make changes to the 6th street exit, which we all use to access the Hill. Around 30 trains a day will continue to run through the Hill while the project is ongoing and the top of the tunnel is open. The sound and fumes from the diesel locomotives will spew out from the open tunnel and onto our streets, yards, and parks—from Garfield Park on one side to the Virginia Avenue Garden on the other.
Though no passenger trains run on the track the impact on the network of shared passenger and freight tracks in the entire Northeast (including DC) is profoundly positive. This single track tunnel on a 2 to four track line is the biggest bottleneck on the eastern seaboard below New York. We live in a city of neighborhoods so by all means watch this closely if you live nearby. But even if CSX were to suddenly stand down for some reason, it won’t make the sound and fumes of our rail neighbors suddenly begin to belch roses.