ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has prepared a Combined Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation/Record of Decision (Combined FEIS/ROD) for the Western Rail Yard Infrastructure project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental laws. WRY Tenant LLC and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) are partnering in a joint venture to seek Federal financial assistance through the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program for the construction of a Platform and Tunnel Encasement in the Western Rail Yard. The Platform would also support the privately-funded Mixed-Use Development (Overbuild) approved by the New York City Planning Commission (CPC), and adopted by the New York City Council as zoning text and map amendments to the New York City Zoning Resolution, for redevelopment of the Western Rail Yard site. The construction also supports MTA's overall business plan to generate revenue to support their operations. See the project site location map.

The proposed Action consists of:

• A new approximately 9.8-acre Platform spanning the Western Rail Yard, including deep footings and a concrete slab to cover the active rail yard below, and reinforced building foundations for Overbuild development. Platform construction would also include the modernization of LIRR support services including: emergency electrical equipment and new critical life safety and mechanical, electrical and plumbing support services, and an extensive ventilation system for the yard. In addition to the modernization efforts, construction of the Platform would necessitate the construction of approximately 20,000 square feet of new railroad staff facilities and rail car cleaning services.
• A Tunnel Encasement in the southern portion of the site running from Eleventh Avenue to West 30th Street to preserve right-of-way for a new trans-Hudson connection into New York Penn Station.