FRA, D.C. DOT solicit public input on Long Bridge EIS study

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today are hosting a scoping meeting in Washington, D.C., for the Long Bridge project's environmental impact statement (EIS).

The meeting is being held to allow the public to comment on a study of how to address long-term railroad capacity and reliability issues for the Long Bridge corridor, which crosses the Potomac River from Arlington, Va., into the District of Columbia, according to a meeting notice issued by Virginia Railway Express (VRE).

Built in 1904, the current Long Bridge is a two-track structure owned by CSX. It is the only freight railroad crossing over the Potomac River between the District of Columbia and Virginia. The bridge currently serves CSX, Amtrak and VRE. Norfolk Southern Railway also has trackage rights on the bridge and connecting CSX tracks.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation also is collaborating with the departments in analyzing potential capacity solutions for the bridge.

Today's meeting will focus on recent project activity, next steps in the environmental process, the proposed EIS study area, purpose and need alternatives evaluation criteria, environmental effects to be considered and evaluated, and methodologies to be used for evaluating effects.

The public may comment on the EIS from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (EDT) today at L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, D.C. The FRA and DDOT are accepting public comments on the study until Sept. 26.