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High-speed rail: public meeting questions answered

Source: Hilton Farmer | Herald Progress

Last month, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) held a public meeting to address concerns that Hanoverians had about the proposed high-speed rail. The meeting hosted a public question and answer session, where Hanover residents could address their questions and concerns to DRPT.

Due to time constraints, Manager of Rail Planning Emily Stock was unable to answer all of the questions submitted to the Board via question and answer notecards. Despite them not being answered on the day, Stock—and the rest of the DRPT representatives—said that they would answer the questions soon and have them posted on the website.

The questions, with the askers name’s redacted, have now been answered and are available for the public to view online on DC2RVA’s website; DC2RVArail.com. Some of the concerns, which include the impact the proposed rail would have on the environment and the community, are answered by Stock.

Some of the question cards demonstrate the hesitations Hanover residents have, however Stock said that she and DRPT remain hopeful, “for those that may be wary, we understand that potential rail alignments on a map can affect property owners and communities,” she said.

“However, identifying possible rail alignments for further study is a part of the planning process – and it comes at a stage in the process when we don’t have all the answers.”

Stock added that the intention of the project is to improve the life of locals, in particular to allow for “alternate travel choices along the congested I-95 corridor.”

“Passenger and freight rail service in the DC2RVA corridor provides many economic and environmental benefits to Ashland and communities throughout the Commonwealth, including alternate travel choices along the congested I-95 corridor,” she said.

The public concern over the rail has prompted DRPT to look at alternative routes, which will be available to the public in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

“DRPT will include detailed environmental screening information about each improvement alternative and provide a side-by-side comparison of the option,” Stock said. 

“DRPT will hold a series of public hearings in late 2016 to provide an opportunity for the public and agencies to discuss the Draft EIS and to provide comments.”

Some of the questions and answers that were answered include:

Question: What will the impact be on the environment and the community?

Answer: Assessing potential impacts to the environment is at the heart of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As part of the Draft EIS DRPT will provide detailed analysis of each alternative’s potential impact on air quality, historic properties, parks and recreation areas, open spaces, noise and vibration, wetlands and streams, social and economic factors, and threatened and endangered species.

Question: Is Ashland’s status on the National Register of Historic Places impacting the route of the rail?

Answer: One of the screening tools used to eliminate alternatives was the potential for direct physical impacts to properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Adding a track through Ashland on the east side of Center Street does not directly impact a building or property on the National Register of Historic Places.

Question: Will the public have access to the alternatives that are being considered?

Answer: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be published in late 2016 for public review and comment and will provide a side-by-side comparison of alternatives. The Draft EIS will describe the project Purpose and Need, the alternatives DRPT evaluated in selecting a Preferred Alternative, the data used in the comparison of alternatives, and the analysis of the impacts of each alternative.

Question: What impact do citizens have on this process?

Answer: Public involvement is a major component of this project. The majority of comments recorded thus far are supportive of enhanced passenger rail in the corridor. DRPT welcomes public input on the DC2RVA website and urges people to make comments that will be included in the public record for the project. Comments received during the comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be used to prepare the Final EIS.

Although these questions show the hesitations Hanover residents have, the DRPT remains hopeful, “For those that may be wary, we understand that potential rail alignments on a map can affect property owners and communities. However, identifying possible rail alignments for further study is a part of the planning process – and it comes at a stage in the process when we don’t have all the answers.” said Emily Stock, Manager of Rail Planning for DRPT.

Stock wants to make it clear that the intention of the project is to improve the life of locals, “Passenger and freight rail service in the DC2RVA corridor provides many economic and environmental benefits to Ashland and communities throughout the Commonwealth, including alternate travel choices along the congested I-95 corridor.” The public concern over the rail has prompted the DRPT to look at alternative routes, which will be available to the public. “In the Draft EIS [Environmental Impact Statement], DRPT will include detailed environmental screening information about each improvement alternative and provide a side-by-side comparison of the options.  DRPT will hold a series of public hearings in late 2016 to provide an opportunity for the public and agencies to discuss the Draft EIS and to provide comments.”

To view all of the questions and answers head to DC2RVArail.com

By Hilton Farmer
H-P Intern