The Environmental Impact Study is out, in draft form. It was required due to the federal loan involved in the All Aboard Florida project. The comment period starts now and ends December 3rd, with public hearings in various location between now and then. There will be one in West Palm Beach on October 29th. Click title for link to article and more details.
The Federal Railroad Administration last year began studying the impact of the rail project between West Palm Beach and Orlando. All Aboard Florida’s request for a $1.6 billion federal loan required that the study be completed.
The study found train noise on a 128-mile stretch of the Florida East Coast Railway tracks between West Palm Beach and Cocoa Beach would be reduced by the installation of less-noisy horns at rail crossings or the implementation of quiet zones along the corridor.
All Aboard Florida’s trains are not expected to have “significant adverse impacts” on protected species or habitat, the study found.
The project is also expected to improve air quality by encouraging mass transit, ultimately reducing vehicle emissions across South Florida, the study said.
![Dr. W. H. Cotton’s ode: “Oh, My Lake Worth, Florida!” [circa 1920].](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhHyCn84ZIQ/WezjlEL-0tI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/CzkhriK6zpEJJ3d9Je1495d49gIhnMlxACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/LakeWorthPioneers.JPG)
