[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12819-12820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5587]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration


Environmental Impact Statement on the North-South Rail Link, 
Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, MA

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Massachusetts 
Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) intend to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) on the proposed rail link connecting North and South 
Stations in Boston, Massachusetts. The FTA and the MBTA will prepare 
the EIS so that it also satisfies the requirements of the Massachusetts 
Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).
    This effort will be performed in cooperation with the Massachusetts 
Highway Department and the Executive Office of Transportation and 
Construction.
    The EIS/EIR will evaluate the following alternatives: A Build 
alternative consisting of an underground rail link tunnel (with an 
option of two or four tracks) connecting North and South Stations along 
the Central Artery alignment, a No-Build alternative, and a 
Transportation System Management alternative which will be identified 
during the scoping process. Although the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
has elected to pursue the North-South Rail Link corridor within the 
Central Artery alignment, the FTA is interested in receiving comments 
regarding whether a rail link along the Congress Street alignment 
should be included in the Major Investment Study (MIS). Scoping will be 
accomplished through correspondence with interested persons, 
organizations, and Federal, State and local agencies, and through 
public meetings.

DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of alternatives 
and impacts to be considered should be sent to the MBTA by April 24, 
1995. See ADDRESSES below. Scoping Meeting: A joint FTA and MEPA public 
scoping meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. at 
the State Transportation Building. See ADDRESSES below.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the project scope should be sent to Mr. 
Andrew D. Brennan, Manager of Environmental Affairs, MBTA, 10 Park 
Plaza, Room 6720, Boston, MA 02116. A Scoping Meeting will be held at 
the following location: State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, 
Boston, MA 02116.
    See DATES above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mary Beth Mello, Deputy Regional 
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Region 1, (617) 494-
2055.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Scoping

    The FTA and MBTA invite written comments for a period of 45 days 
after publication of this notice (See DATES and ADDRESSES above.) 
During scoping, [[Page 12820]] comments should focus on identifying 
specific social, economic, or environmental impacts to be evaluated, 
and suggesting alternatives that are less costly or less 
environmentally damaging which achieve similar objectives. Comments 
should focus on the issues and alternatives for analysis, and not on a 
preference for a particular alternative. Individual preference for a 
particular alternative should be communicated during the comment period 
for the Draft EIS.
    If you wish to be placed on the mailing list to receive further 
information as the project continues, contact Mr. Andrew Brennan at the 
MBTA (see ADDRESSES above).

II. Description of Study Area and Project Need

    The proposed project consists of an approximately 3 mile rail 
tunnel linking North and South Stations in Boston, Massachusetts. The 
northern tunnel portals will be located to the north of the Gilmore 
Bridge and west of the I-93 highway viaduct in Somerville, 
Massachusetts. There will be two southern tunnel portals: one on the 
southern side of the Massachusetts Turnpike between Harrison and 
Shawmut Avenues, and the other in the vicinity of the railroad yard 
south of the West Fourth Street Bridge in South Boston. Three 
underground passenger stations are proposed: (1) At the existing South 
Station, (2) near the MBTA Blue Line adjacent to the Aquarium Station, 
and (3) between Haymarket and North Stations. The project will also 
define options for creating regional MBTA rail service by combining the 
two currently separate north and south side commuter rail networks.
    The construction of the rail link tunnel will close the gap in 
intercity rail service along the Atlantic seaboard, and will create a 
unified rail system for metropolitan Boston by combining the two 
currently separate north and south side commuter rail networks. This 
will reduce rapid transit system congestion in downtown Boston, 
increase operational capacity at South Station, and improve regional 
air quality by diverting automobile trips to the rail system.

III. Alternatives

    The alternatives proposed for evaluation include: (1) No-action, 
which involves no change to existing rail facilities at North and South 
Stations,
    (2) construction of a rail link tunnel connecting North and South 
Stations along the Central Artery alignment. A two-track and a four-
track tunnel option will be considered, and
    (3) a transportation system management alternative that will be 
identified during the scoping process.
    Although the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has elected to pursue 
the North-South Rail Link corridor within the Central Artery alignment, 
the FTA is interested in receiving comments regarding whether a rail 
link along the Congress Street alignment should be included in the MIS.

IV. Probable Effects

    FTA and the MBTA will evaluate all significant environmental, 
social, and economic impacts of the alternatives analyzed in the EIS. 
Impacts include changes in the natural environment (air and water 
quality, rare and endangered species), changes in the social 
environment (land use and neighborhoods, noise and vibration, 
aesthetics, park lands, historic/archeological resources), disposal of 
excavated material, public safety and changes in rail service and 
patronage. An operational analysis of combined north and south side 
commuter rail networks will be performed and project capital and 
operating costs and revenues will be estimated. The impacts will be 
evaluated both for the construction period and for the long term period 
of operation, and financial information in support of the MIS will be 
provided. Measures to mitigate significant adverse impacts will also be 
addressed.

    Issued on: March 2, 1995.
Richard H. Doyle,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-5587 Filed 3-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P