Norfolk Southern/Conrail Rail Connection–Bucyrus, Ohio - Surface ...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared by the Surface Transportation Board’s (Board)
Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) in accordance with the Board’s orders in Decision No. 9,
served on June 12, 1997, and Decision No. 12, served on July 23, 1997, in Finance Docket No. 33388.
The EA describes the potential environmental impacts of a proposed new rail line connection between
the existing Norfolk & Western Railway Company, a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway
Company (NS), and Conrail (Conrail) rail lines in Bucyrus, Ohio. The proposed construction site is
surrounded by the existing NS and Conrail rail lines, businesses, residences, undeveloped properties,
electrical utility lines, and a fuel distribution facility. Rail traffic on this connection is anticipated to
average eight trains per day. According to NS, this construction would provide a new, more direct and
efficient train route from Columbus, Ohio to eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, increase rail traffic
capacity, improve service to shippers and reduce rail traffic congestion in Cleveland, Ohio.
After providing an overview of the proposed construction plan, this EA describes the different
alternatives considered in developing that construction plan. It then addresses various aspects of the
existing environment at the site of the proposed connection. Next, the potential environmental impacts
of construction of the proposed connection are discussed. Finally, a summary is provided of agency
comments which relate to the project, along with NS’ responses to agency comments and explanations
of mitigation measures proposed by NS, and SEA’s recommended mitigation measures.
As shown in Table ES-1, potential environmental impacts related to the proposed project are
insignificant or nonexistent. Based on its independent analysis of all the information available at this
time, SEA concludes that the proposed project is not expected to have any significant adverse impact
on land use, socioeconomics and environmental justice, transportation, safety, water resources,
biological resources, air quality, noise, or energy. The proposed project would require the demolition
of a former Toledo and Ohio Central (T&OC) freight depot, a potentially historic site, which is on
private property. Coordination with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will be
required to determine if the depot is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Overall transportation and energy efficiency of the NS system will be improved by the construction of
the connection.
The proposed project would require one new grade crossing and one expanded grade crossing. Warning
devices (gates and flashing lights) would be installed at the new crossing. The warning devices (flashing
lights) at the existing crossing would be upgraded from flashing lights to include gates.
Any increase in noise levels during construction would be limited to normal work hours and would only
occur during the expected three to six month construction period.
ES-1