Virginia Avenue Tunnel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Virginia Avenue Tunnel
Overview
Location Washington, D.C.
System CSX Transportation
Operation
Opened 1872
Owner CSX Transportation
Operator CSX Transportation
Traffic Train
Character Freight
Technical
Length 3,788 feet (1,155 m)
No. of tracks Single track
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Operating speed 25 mph
Tunnel clearance 18.67 feet (5.69 m)
Width 28 feet (8.5 m)

The Virginia Avenue Tunnel is a railroad tunnel in Washington, D.C. owned by CSX Transportation. It is part of the CSX RF&P Subdivision and serves freight trains along the eastern seaboard routes, providing a bypass around Union Station.

The single-track tunnel is located under Virginia Avenue SE, from 15th and M Streets SE to 2nd St. and Virginia Avenue SE. The eastern portal connects to the Anacostia Railroad Bridge and the CSX Capital Subdivision. At the western end the RF&P Sub runs to the Long Bridge into Virginia.[1]

History

The tunnel was constructed in 1872 by the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad (B&P), later controlled by the Pennsylvania Railroad. It originally served the B&P station on the present-day site of the National Gallery of Art, on the National Mall at 6th & B Street NW (today's Constitution Avenue). The tunnel was built using the cut and cover method. It was constructed of ashlar stone for the sidewalls, and brick and stone for the arches. In 1904 the tunnel was extended to its present length due to a track relocation.[1]

Initially the tunnel served both freight and passenger service until Union Station's opening in 1908, and since that time it has been freight-only.[2]

Planned modifications

In 2008, CSX proposed to modify or replace the tunnel to provide room for a second track and sufficient height to allow use of double-stack freight cars and autoracks. CSX sought government funding in a public-private partnership as part of its National Gateway initiative.[3][4] In 2011, CSX announced that it would fund the tunnel project itself.[5] As of fall 2012, CSX and government agencies are considering four design alternatives for a new tunnel, conducting public outreach meetings, and preparing an environmental impact assessment for each of the alternatives. A final decision on the selected alternative was expected in spring 2013.[6]

The DEIS and Objections to the DEIS

CSX released their DEIS (draft environmental impact statement) in July 2013.[7] During the comment period, many Capitol Hill residents raised objections to the DEIS. Organizations which submitted comments to CSX criticizing elements of the DEIS include Casey Trees, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS),[8] the Sierra Club, and the Committee of 100 on the Federal City. CHRS filed an additional comment concerning review of the Virginia Avenue Tunnel project under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, raising concerns about negative project impacts on historic structures (including those of religious and military value), economic impact on Barracks Row Main Street, and the project's "adverse effect on the L'Enfant Plan." [9] The United States Environmental Protection Agency also released an official opinion on the DEIS in which they identified in detail "deficiencies and areas of concern, including environmental justice, children's environmental health, cumulative impacts, and community impacts, especially vibration, parks, visual, and utility disruptions."[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 U.S. Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC and Maryland Department of Transportation, Baltimore, MD (2011). "Baltimore's Railroad Network: Analysis and Recommendations." January 2011. pp. 11-1, 11-2.
  2. ↑ National Railway Historical Society, Washington, D.C. Chapter. "Washington Railroad History Timeline" at #14.
  3. ↑ CSX Corporation, Jacksonville, FL (2008). "CSX Announces National Gateway to Improve Flow of Freight." 2008-05-01.
  4. ↑ Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Washington, DC (2009). "CSX National Gateway Projects in the Washington Region." Accessed 2009-12-05.
  5. ↑ CSX (2011-05-18). "CSX Commits Additional $160 Million to National Gateway." Press release.
  6. ↑ CSX (2012-09-27). ("Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project: Environmental Impact Statement & Section 106 Coordination; Public Meeting." Presentation materials.
  7. ↑ http://www.virginiaavenuetunnel.com/project-resources/
  8. ↑ http://chrs.org/category/issues/csx-tunnel/
  9. ↑ http://chrs.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/VATS106commentsDEIS20130925sh.pdf
  10. ↑ http://yosemite.epa.gov/oeca/webeis.nsf/(PDFView)/20130207/$file/20130207.PDF?OpenElement
  • Wright, William (2006). "Chapter 1: Railroading Washington." History of Union Station. Unpublished manuscript.

External links

Coordinates: 38°52′39″N 76°59′28″W / 38.877399°N 76.9911°W / 38.877399; -76.9911

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.