The release of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Metro station at Potomac Yard has been delayed until at least the late fall, Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks told DRCA members at the September 9 membership meeting. The EIS had been scheduled to be released last spring.
Jinks said that the city is trying to resolve two key issues with the National Park Service: an encroachment onto Park Service land and violation of a scenic easement that protects the George Washington Parkway.
He said that Metro officials are considering relaxing the requirement for the speed of trains between Crystal City and Braddock Road. This would allow the track to be curved somewhat to allow it to avoid Park Service land. The possibility of moving the CSX frail tracks to the west is also being explored, but the cost of doing this may be prohibitive. Even if the encroachment issue can be worked out, the scenic easement issue would remain.
Drew Hansen of the Del Ray Patch also reported on Jinks’ talk at the meeting.