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Yesterday, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced its Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) issued a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Alaska Railroad Corp.'s proposed line between Wasilla and Port MacKenzie.

The railroad plans to build a 30- to 45-mile line — depending on the appropriate route — to establish a rail link between the port and interior Alaska. Currently, trucks are the only surface transportation mode serving the port. The Alaska Railroad line would handle bulk materials, intermodal containers and other freight.

The SEA has prepared a draft study scope of the project and scheduled six public scoping meetings in Alaska to be held March 3-11. The STB is accepting public comments on the EIS notice and scoping documents until March 21.