Media Advisory: Rescheduled Public Meeting for National Gateway Clearance Project in Harpers Ferry, WV

DATE: Wednesday, March 3, 2010

TIME: 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. (Open House Format)

LOCATION: Quality Inn Ballroom, 4328 William L. Wilson Highway, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, 25425

CSX Transportation (CSXT) will host a public open house to discuss the National Gateway initiative clearance improvements on four tunnels in Maryland including Graham Tunnel near Magnolia, WV; Harpers Ferry Tunnel in Sandy Hook, MD; Catoctin Tunnel in Catoctin, MD; and Point of Rocks Tunnel in Point of Rocks, MD.

This special project involves increasing the vertical clearance over the CSXT tracks through four tunnels to obtain necessary vertical clearance required to allow double-stacked, intermodal, freight trains to pass through the structures. These double-stacked freight trains will allow for more efficient movement of freight between Midwest producers and consumers with mid-Atlantic ports and world markets. The work is being coordinated with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). The work for each tunnel will include:

• Graham Tunnel removal and replacement of the tunnel liner and portals, as well as removal of power lines across the top of the hill above the tunnel;
• Harpers Ferry Tunnel removal and replacement of the tunnel liner and portals; and
• Catoctin and Point of Rocks Tunnels shifting tracks at the portals to gain clearance and the tunnel liners will be replaced.

The purpose of this meeting is to present and discuss the proposed improvement project and alternatives with local residents, businesses and public officials. Public comments will be collected regarding the proposed improvement and its social, economic, and environmental impacts.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), CSXT is completing environmental documentation for the proposed projects in Maryland. This documentation will note the existing conditions and potential impacts of the project. As part of this process, CSXT is actively working to provide federal and state agencies with the information necessary to satisfy the requirements of NEPA.

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, information regarding the presence of any known cultural resources in the vicinity of the project is also requested. Cultural resources include prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, historic bridges, historic buildings, sites and districts. CSXT requests that information about cultural resources in the area be submitted by the comment submission deadline.

Representatives from CSXT, SHA and consulting engineers may address any questions and concerns regarding this proposed project.

SNOW POLICY: The public meeting will be rescheduled if Jefferson County, West Virginia has a "Snow Emergency Plan" in effect on the day of the meeting, or if the county's public schools have been closed and evening activities canceled.

If you are unable to attend the public meeting on March 3, 2010 in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia you may submit written comments by March 17, 2010 to:

Martha Register
ARCADIS
801 Corporate Center Dr, Ste 300
Raleigh, NC 27607

or by project at: www.updates.nationalgateway.org.

Media Contacts:
Bob Sullivan
CSX Transportation
1-877-835-5279
[email protected]