Newburyport Commuter Rail

Fort Point Associates was selected by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority to prepare a comprehensive NEPA Environmental Assessment of the proposed restoration of commuter rail service from its former terminus in Ipswich to Newburyport, Massachusetts. The restoration required construction through the largest and most sensitive Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in the Commonwealth, including six miles of rail through salt marsh. After a thorough investigation of impacts to wetlands, waterways, noise, vibration, traffic, and historic features, several alternative station locations were assessed. With this information, FPA proposed a highly effective permitting strategy, whereby an extensive and thorough Environmental Notification Form was submitted and approved by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs. This allowed the project to advance without a full scale Environmental Impact Report.