The FRA, as the lead federal agency, and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) prepared a Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq. (NEPA). The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is involved with the development of the Project through the NEPA process as a cooperating agency in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulation 40 CFR 1508.5.

The Project has involved an extensive public outreach campaign to ensure the public is informed, including several opportunities for public comment on study findings and recommendations. Outreach efforts included several open houses and community association meetings, elected official briefings, three public hearings and a Project website (www.bptunnel.com). The FRA released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on November 25, 2016, which summarizes the alternatives evaluation from DEIS, including review of the alternatives, their ability to meet the Purpose and Need of the Project, and their potential impacts to the social, cultural, and natural environment.

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The FRA, as the lead federal agency, and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) prepared a Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq. (NEPA). The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is involved with the development of the Project through the NEPA process as a cooperating agency in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulation 40 CFR 1508.5.

The Project has involved an extensive public outreach campaign to ensure the public is informed, including several opportunities for public comment on study findings and recommendations. Outreach efforts included several open houses and community association meetings, elected official briefings, three public hearings and a Project website (www.bptunnel.com). The FRA released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on November 25, 2016, which summarizes the alternatives evaluation from DEIS, including review of the alternatives, their ability to meet the Purpose and Need of the Project, and their potential impacts to the social, cultural, and natural environment.

Record of Decision:

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On March 24, 2017, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the B&amp;P Tunnel Project, documenting the selection of the Preferred Alternative (Alternative 3B) and three ventilation facilities, one each at the North and South portals and the intermediate ventilation facility site at 900-940 West North Avenue.&nbsp; The estimated cost, which has not changed since the FEIS, is $4.5 billion. The project is not currently funded for construction.

Documentation related to the environmental review process, including the ROD, for the project is posted below. If you have additional questions related to the project, please contact Brandon Bratcher, FRA Environmental Protection Specialist, at Brandon.Bratcher@dot.gov, or send your comments to:

Brandon Bratcher
Federal Railroad Administration
RPD-13: Environment and Corridor Planning Division
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
West Building, Mail Stop 20
Washington, DC 20590


	Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel Project Record of Decision