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.