BRUNSWICK
An federal report is set for release Saturday to assess the environmental impact of a proposed train layover and maintenance facility proposed between Stanwood Street and Church Road.
The results of the assessment will determine if, and when, plans to build the $12 million, 60,000-square-foot building proceed, said Patricia Quinn, executive director of Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority.
NNEPRA, the Portland-based company that operates the Amtrak Downeaster passenger train between Brunswick and Boston, proposed the layover facility to reduce the effect of engine noise and emissions on adjacent neighborhoods.
Once the assessment is released, a 30-day public comment period will begin. At the end of the comment period, a public hearing will be scheduled.
The assessment will be sent to advisory committee members, and posted on the Federal Rail Administration website, www.fra.dot.gov, as well as NNEPRA’s website, www.nnepra.com.
Quinn said copies also will be sent to the town office and Curtis Memorial Library.
During a Layover Facility Advisory Board meeting Thursday, Quinn and other transportation officials again tried to address emissions and noise concerns of people who live in several trackside neighborhoods.
During the committee’s July 30 meeting, members of the West Brunswick Neighborhood Coalition asked NNEPRA to consider installing more “air scrubbing” equipment to the building’s design.
“We haven’t really finalized what the systems are going to be, and the project is still in design,” Quinn said. “The testing we’ve done suggests that exhaust is not at a level that would require any additional screening or scrubbing. (NNEPRA’s Board of Directors’) position is that we need justification to spend more money.
“If we do spend more money, then we need to make sure that it’s the best place to make the investment,” she added.
Likewise, Quinn said NNEPRA is confident in water quality and soil studies done by two engineering firms on behalf of NNEPRA that show no adverse environmental impact from the project.
jtleonard@timesrecord.com
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