D.C. group files another motion to halt CSX tunnel project

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 15: The CSX train tracks that go underground at the tunnel near Garfield Park and H at 2nd Streets Southeast under the Southeast-Southwest Freeway is the site where the proposed construction would start on the Virginia Avenue Tunnel project. CSX wants to add a second track and have the tunnel deep enough to accommodate double-stacked container freight trains. People living in the neighborhood are concerned about an open trench where the trains would run while the tunnel is being built virtually in their front yard. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

The Committee of 100 on the Federal City is appealing a District Court decision that denied its request to block reconstruction of the Virginia Avenue tunnel in Southeast Washington.

The group, which serves as a watchdog on transportation issues, is seeking a halt to the project before “irreversible construction activities” such as tree removal take place.

Last month, District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper ruled that rebuilding the 111-year-old tunnel is in the best interest of the public, and said that the Committee failed to establish grounds for a preliminary injunction.

The committee had requested an injunction to hold the project at least until the court reviews and rules on a pending lawsuit challenging the Federal Highway Administration’s decision to approve plans to reconstruct rail tunnel. The appeal filed Friday includes an emergency motion to reverse Cooper’s ruling and “suspend the effectiveness of the Environmental Impact Statement, thereby preventing construction of CSX’s Virginia Avenue Tunnel until the Court can issue a decision on the merits of the case.”

The Committee of 100’s lawsuit is still pending. In that case the group questions the legality and transparency of the project’s federal environmental review process and says there were violations of federal and D.C. law.

CSX plans to demolish the 3,800-foot-long tunnel, beneath Virginia Avenue SE, from Second to 11th streets, and build twin tunnels that will be high enough to allow for the passage of double-stacked trains. By modernizing the aging tunnel, CSX says it will alleviate freight delays in the area.

The construction is expected to last 3 1/2 years. Neighbors have complained about the inconvenience of living in a construction zone, including noise, dust and vibration.  They also say they worry about increased risks of accidents while trains continue to run through the tunnel amid the construction activity.

CSX began utility work Monday in an ad hoc recreation area under Interestate 695 at 2nd Street SE.  As part of the work, access to the area is limited during construction hours. CSX says the work will extend into the intersection of 2nd Street SE and Virginia Avenue in coming weeks.  A temporary lane shift on 4th Street SE, between the westbound lanes of Virginia Avenue and I Street SE, began Friday. The lane shift expected to last about two months are to accommodate utility relocation work.