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Yesterday, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced its Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Alaska Railroad Corp.’s (ARRC) proposed 80-mile line between North Pole and Delta Junction, Alaska.

Written comments regarding the scope of the EIS are due to the STB Jan. 13. The SEA will issue a final scope after the comment period. The SEA also will hold three informal public meetings on Dec. 6, 7 and 8 in North Pole, Delta Junction and Anchorage to receive feedback on the EIS’s scope.

The proposed Northern Rail Extension project calls for building 80 miles of track to connect an existing line near Eielson Air Force Base near North Pole to Fort Greely and the Donnelly training area near Delta Junction. The project — which might include a 15-mile spur from Flag Hill to the Blair Lakes military training
area — would provide the U.S. Army year-round access to training areas and major military installations in Alaska via rail.