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Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently issued an environmental assessment (EA) of the North Pole Road/Rail Crossing Reduction project. The railroad has scheduled a public meeting April 5 in North Pole to review the EA findings and discuss the project’s economic, social and environmental impacts.

The project calls for closing nine grade crossings in the city of North Pole along an eight-mile section of the Eielson Branch, including the Richardson Highway crossing; building a grade-separated crossing over Richardson Highway; reducing train traffic at three crossings along the spur track; and realigning track along the Tanana River flood control levee. The project is designed to enhance public safety and eliminate traffic delays in downtown North Pole, improve operating efficiency, and maintain rail access to existing and future customers along the track.

ARRC worked in conjunction with the FRA, Federal Highway Administration and Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System to initiate the EA last year. The cost for the project’s final design and construction, and funding sources have not yet been determined, according to ARRC.

The railroad is accepting public comments on the EA until April 25.