Virginia Avenue Railroad Tunnel Update Nov 17 2009

[Rob Lee]

Subject: Virginia Avenue Railroad Tunnel Update Nov 17 2009
Welcome to the fitst VA Avenue Rail Tunnel update. Please feel free to
share this email with friends, family and neighbors. If you no longer
wish to receive this mailing please contact me and I will remove your
name.

Tonight CSX made a presentation to the Capitol Riverfront Business
Improvement District Lower 8th Street Visioning Project. Unfortunately
there was very low turnout. At the meeting CSX admitted that they
would not seek an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for the project
but rather a less comprehensive EA (Environmental Assessment). Sources
indicate that, prior to the outbreak of community interest in this
project last month, CSX believed they were entitled to a Categorical
Exemption from the NEPA process. We also learned CSX would brief the
Capitol Riverfront BID board tomorrow on the project, which had not
been listed on the BID agenda. Is CSX attempting to win the BID
endorsement for the project against the wishes of Capitol Quarter
residents?

This evening NBC 4 ran a newscast about one Capitol Quarter resident's
awakening to the horror of the VA avenue project. What wasn't
mentioned in the story is that traffic diverted from VA Avenue will be
sent down 6th and G streets SE.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Townhouse-and-Train-Tunnel-Dont-Mix-70305487.html.

I expect to send more updates as events move forward. Please feel free
to contact me at any time with news, questions or comments.

Mike McEleney
mmce...@gmail.com
703-795-4846