WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today (March 29) announced it intended to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 1.3-mile rail line proposed as part of the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge project to connect Eagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negras, Mexico.
Green Eagle Railroad, a new short line, seeks to build a secure 19-mile cross-border route that would include 1.3 miles of double track between Union Pacific’s Clark’s Pass Yard and a bridge over the Rio Grande [see “Second rail bridge proposed for Eagle Pass …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 15, 2023]. The remainder of the route, to a Ferromex yard in Piedras Negras, would be in Mexico and is not subject to STB review.
The STB said its Office of Environmental Analysis has determined an environmental report is appropriate because the proposed line has the potential to result in significant environmental impacts. Today’s issuance of a Notice of Intent to prepare the environmental report begins the scoping period; comments will be accepted through April 29, and two public meetings will be held, one in person and one on line.
The Notice of Intent is available here. For more information on the environmental review process or to submit a written comment, visit the board-sponsored project website or the board website.
Is this actually a rail and road bridge project? Looks to me that way. The environmental problem is it looks as if they plan to run the rail line down a creek channel. There will be flood plain issues, flora and fauna issues, noise concerns from neighbors, etc. This will be a case that the neighbors were there before the rail line. Fun, fun, fun.
Looks like BNSF did find someone to foot the bill for Eagle Pass.