Public comment period ends for Reno railroad trench

RENO - The public comment period on a draft environmental impact statement for a railroad trench through downtown Reno has closed.

The Federal Highway Administration said the 49-day public comment period ended on July 7. Less than 50 comments concerning the voluminous document were received.

Comments received and responses to them will be included in a final EIS due out by the end of September.

The federal agency said it will then determine by the end of November which of four proposed alternatives for lowering the train tracks through downtown should be pursued.

The cost of the project has been estimated at $213 million, though critics claim it will likely cost much more.

City officials want to lower the tracks to eliminate 11 rail crossings in the downtown area.

They say increased rail traffic stemming from the consolidation of Southern and Union Pacific railroads is a public safety concern because traffic gridlock at railroad crossings would impede emergency vehicles.