FTA Formally Adopts Final Environmental Impact Statement to Advance the SEPTA King of Prussia Rail

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today issued a combined Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's (SEPTA) King of Prussia Rail Extension.

The combined FEIS/ROD allows SEPTA to continue the design and construction of a four-mile extension of the existing Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) into King of Prussia, providing a high-speed, "one-seat" ride for passengers traveling to King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Norristown and other destinations in Montgomery and Delaware Counties 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."

On average, a full National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, which includes an FEIS and a ROD, generally takes 12-18 months. With this project, FTA, in close coordination and cooperation with SEPTA, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the Department of the Interior, completed several milestones within a five-month period.

The combined FEIS/ROD was prepared in accordance with applicable federal environmental laws, regulations, and executive orders, including but not limited to the National Environmental Policy Act (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] § 4321 et seq.) (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Part 1500 et seq.).