The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) King of Prussia Rail Extension on Jan. 14.
The combined decision will allow SEPTA to move forward with the design and construction of the Norristown High Speed Line into King of Prussia. The four-mile extension would provide a high-speed, “one-seat” rider from King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Norristown, and other destinations in Pennsylvania.
“This timely action is an example of DOT’s commitment to streamlined delivery of environmental reviews,” said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. “Once completed, SEPTA’s King of Prussia rail extension will address a critical need in southeastern Pennsylvania’s transportation system, connecting Center City, University City and King of Prussia – three of the largest employment centers in the region.”
Although a typical National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, which includes an FEIS and an ROD, normally takes between 12 and 18 months, FTA provided this FEIS/ROD in five months by working closely with SEPTA, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the Department of the Interior.
The FEIS/ROD was prepared following applicable federal environmental laws, regulations, and executive order, including by not limited to those in the National Environmental Policy Act.