The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) announces that the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Southeast Corridor from Richmond to Raleigh (passing through Chesterfield in Chester) has been signed by the Federal Railroad Administration, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and DRPT.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “This approval is an important step toward a higher speed rail system that will enhance our efforts to build a new Virginia economy. Higher speed rail is one of my administration’s top transportation priorities because it will generate new economic activity and improve Virginians’ quality of life. I look forward to the advancement of this important project.”
The course to obtain approval for the FEIS was a rigorous one that included much public engagement, as well as a commitment to ongoing collaboration with North Carolina Department of Transportation and communication to address the input from residents, elected officials, businesses, and agencies throughout the process.
The signed FEIS is the second of three planning documents that allows the project to move forward for construction funding.
