Norton to Hold Community Meeting with the EPA on the Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project

Press Release

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Highways and Transit Subcommittee, will hold a community meeting on environmental issues associated with the Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project on Saturday, January 25, at 2:00 p.m., at 200 I (Eye) St. SE, in the multipurpose room, with the surrounding community near Capitol Hill, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) and CSX. After EPA comments became an additional focus at a November meeting, Norton suggested that the EPA be called to an additional meeting. Comments from the EPA noted that it had "identified some deficiencies and areas of concern, including environmental justice, children's environmental health, cumulative impacts, and community impacts."

CSX's Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project is privately funded, but Norton has been working with residents concerned about the proximity of the proposed tunnel construction, which would run through the District and close to their homes.

"Our first community meeting was well-attended and clarified some issues, but it also brought other issues to light," said Norton.

In December, following the first community meeting, Norton also wrote to Representative Tom Petri (R-WI), Chairman or the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, requesting a subcommittee hearing on the CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project. As a minority party member, Norton cannot call a hearing. In her letter, Norton noted that while the tunnel affects her constituents, federal issues also are involved because FHWA is the lead federal agency in the project.

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