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Presented by:Presented by:
MaineDOTMaineDOT
HNTBHNTB
Morris CommunicationsMorris Communications
December 7, 2009December 7, 2009
AgendaWelcome/ Purpose of State Rail Plan
Nathan Moulton, Project Manager, MaineDOTState Rail Plan Presentation
Recap of TAC & Public Comments, Carol Morris, Morris Communications
Key Findings, Draft Prioritization Criteria, Draft Vision Dennis Coffey, HNTB
Funding Review and Draft Recommendations, Ray Tomczak, HNTB
Next Steps, Carol Morris
Purpose of State Rail PlanWhat the Plan will provide:
Identification of critical rail corridors in MaineMethodology to prioritize rail projects in MaineRecommended actions to enhance the rail systemA list of possible projects that could qualify for federal
funding opportunities over the next five yearsA list of creative funding opportunities for Maine to
exploreFlexibility, yet clear direction
Purpose of State Rail PlanWhat the Plan will not provide:
Commitment to funding for specific projects Recommendations on new funding streamsA list of specific projects that will be funded
Public OutreachCarol Morris, Facilitator
Public Meeting Times & LocationsRecap of Commonly Heard Public Comments
Public MeetingsExpanded to include Presque Isle &
Lewiston/AuburnOne remaining round of meetings:
Portland, South Portland Community Center: December 7Bangor, Bangor Motor Inn: December 8 Lewiston/Auburn, Museum L-A, 35 Canal Street, Bates Mill
Complex: December 14Presque Isle, University of Presque Isle: December 15
Public CommentsMy region wants passenger railMy region needs better/more/some freight serviceMy region needs track upgradesMy region needs/deserves these things more than
any other in MaineThe State should focus rail investment in key areas
Public CommentsENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Economic development potential should be key to
investment decisionsEconomic development is needed to support building
rail infrastructureA return on the public investment in rail lines should
be measurablePublic investment should require something back
from beneficiaries
Public CommentsPROVIDE GREATER FOCUSLeverage infrastructure that is already in placeFocus investment in just a few critical locations – do
not scatter it everywhereAssess benefit/cost/potential of rail corridors before
investingIdentify central rail facilities and ship the rest via
truck
Public CommentsDON’T FORGET “THE BIG PICTURE”Continue to improve Maine’s regional freight/land
use planning & economic development coordinationMake rail investments that tie into New England and
Canadian plansPosition Maine to take advantage of Class 1 &
regional rail improvements elsewhere in the US and Canada by utilizing 286,000 gross weight capacity/Class 3 track speed
Public CommentsFREIGHT RAILMaine needs container-train corridorsFreight rail shipping needs to be more reliable in terms
of delivery time, cost, and reducing product damagesFreight rail shipping needs better connectivityBusiness community needs to promise more freight
rail utilizationDiversification of shippers is necessary to expand
freight rail usageImprove freight partnerships with existing and
potential manufacturers, big business, and others
Public CommentsPASSENGER RAILStrong support for current & future Downeaster intercity
passenger rail serviceExplore commuter rail opportunities radiating outward from
Portland
REGIONAL Maintain the state’s forest industryPreserve service on the MM&A proposed abandonmentGrow L-A’s intermodal facilityOTHEREnhanced shipper outreach is necessaryGreater public interaction is needed in order for public to
support/understand additional rail funding
TAC and Public Suggested CriteriaSeek greatest public return on investmentPriority for shared use rail linesMultimodal: Integrate other transportation modesFocus investments on Maine, NE & Canada rail plan
priorities Ability to attract new business & retain existing
customersEconomic development impacts are keyInvest in projects that will improve the volume of goods
and number of people movedFocus rail investment on areas where capacity &
reliability intersectCongestion mitigation
Rail SystemDennis Coffey, HNTB,
Rail Task LeaderKey FindingsPrioritization CriteriaFunding Review
Identified TrendsChanging markets: reduced demand for rail
shipmentsDeclining tonnage shipped by rail reduced railroads’
income and ability to operate/maintain the systemNorth-South routes affected by multiple rail carriers East-West routes are primarily through-trafficTrucking dominates the region, offering timely
service – flexibility
Current SituationRailroads are highly capital-intensiveTough for rail industry to make quick improvements
to enhance market share
Source: AAR. Included in the Northeast Rail Operations (NEROps) Phase 1 Study
Northeast rail freight tonnage
Source: Northeast Rail Operations (NEROps) Phase 1 Study
Current SituationPulp & paper industry still
dominant for railRail traffic density centered
in south central ME
Current SituationDeferred maintenance on tracksIncreasing State of Maine ownership Limited heavy axle car loading available –
“286” Two double stack clearance routes
SLR, Portland to New Hampshire MMA, Searsport to Quebec province
Current SituationNo Class 1 RRs in ME and most of New
England means:Added cost of multiple interchangesTrack speeds lower and time to market takes
longerService not as robust as customers would prefer
Source: Atlantic Institute for Market Study Presentation
Regional Connectivity Important!
Source: Northeast Rail Operations Study, Phase II
NS, CP, PAS and PAR Accessible Corridors
North-East Regional Connectivity
Maritime Canada key partnerSt. John link criticalNBSR & MMA through routesPotential for greater truck to rail diversion?
Source: Atlantic Canada Transportation Strategy 2008 - 2018
North-East Regional Connectivity
Current Situation – Passenger Rail
Downeaster – one of the most successful new Amtrak services nationwide!
Ridership is stableNeed to find right funding
balance for:OperationsMaintenance Capital/service improvements
Looking Ahead Critical Corridor Approach
Corridors provide concentration of services Corridors connect multimodal gatewaysGateways connect Maine to global trade partnersPorts & Terminals are the nodes that feed gatewaysCorridors provide best opportunity for multimodal synergyInvestment in corridor services promote density, efficiency
& synergyCorridors provide biggest “bang for the buck”
Strategic Vision – Passenger RailMaine’s passenger rail system is fully integrated with the North American passenger rail system, and includes high-speed passenger, intercity and commuter rail.
Passenger Rail ObjectivesInsure safety and security Enhance quality of services and markets servedLink to smart growth development practices Plan high-speed passenger rail expansions connecting to
US and Canadian pointsProtect critical corridors for future commuter needsCoordinate passenger and freight rail requirementsEstablish predictable funding source for operations,
maintenance and expansion
Strategic Vision – Freight RailMaine’s freight rail system is fully integrated with the North American rail freight system and enables its’ businesses to reach current and future markets and sources with timely and reliable services.
Freight Rail ObjectivesEnhance services to key industriesEncourage product diversity and traffic densityDevelop and expand multimodal connectionsEnhance interchange between railroadsSupport community & regional economic
development strategies
Freight Rail ObjectivesProjects must result in:
Partnerships – cost sharingCommunity benefitsExpanded job baseSustainable business model Environmentally sound investments
Prioritization CriteriaTwo-Tiered Assessment
Tier 1: Prioritize critical rail corridorsTier 2: Prioritize critical projects
Evaluate criticality of corridor network Focused analysis on specific cost/benefitsUse measurable basis for assessments
Tier 1 – Corridor Screening CriteriaGeneral assessment of corridors
Enhance passenger/freight mobility Maintain/enhance service to key industries Coordinate with New England/Canadian
enhancements
Tier 2 – Project Evaluation CriteriaCriteria builds on existing IRAP criteria, asking if the
project:Shows a sufficient cost/benefit ratio to justify expenditure
of public fundsHas a positive effect on continuous and productive
improvement of rail serviceShows transportation and logistics cost savingsHas a positive effect on employment and economic
development opportunities for rail users and communities
Tier 2…Project Criteria continuedIncludes a high level of new investment and private cost
sharingIncreases intermodal efficiencies and opportunitiesShows potential to divert freight/passengers to rail Shows a positive short and/or long-range effect on
emissions (GHG), highway congestion and/or safety Supports and enhances state and regional land use and
sustainable development policiesGenerates support from the public and private sectors
Funding Review & Draft RecommendationsRay Tomczak, HNTB, Consultant Team Project
Manager
Maine Transportation BondCritical Rail Corridors (new program) – $2 million
Intended to encourage public-private partnershipsExpected to leverage $2 million in private investment
Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP) – $1 millionFor matching grants to private businesses for freight rail
infrastructure upgradesIRAP investment will leverage $1 million in private or local
investment
State-owned rail lines – $1 millionFor capital upgrades to state-owned rail lines
ARRA Federal Grant RequestsHigh Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR)
Downeaster Corridor - $53 million – capacity and geometric improvements to reduce transit time and increase reliability
Brunswick Extension - $39 million -- track rehabilitation of freight lines to extend Amtrak operations to Brunswick
Transportation Investments to Generate Economic Recovery (TIGER)$23 million – acquisition and rehabilitation of Madawaska Subdivision$57 million - reconnect the Port of Eastport to the North American rail
network$28 million -- restore abandoned Mountain Division line connecting Portland
to Fryeburg for freight and passenger services
Other Potential State FundingSTAR (State, Transit, Aviation and Rail)
Transportation Fund - Disbursements can be used for:Purchasing, operating, maintaining, improving, repairing,
constructing and managing STAR Transportation Fund assets including buildings, structures & equipment
Award of Federal funds for rail projects may “free up” STAR funds for other purposes
Funding Review Best practices review ongoing
Federal practicesState practices Local / regional practices
Amtrak Downeaster Funding2008 Annual budget of $13.5 million:
$6 million Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant
$1.5 million subsidy from the state$6 million in fare revenue
CMAQ exemption allows Maine to use the funds for the Downeaster Maine has received an extension of this exemption through
mid-December 2009Major Issue: Need long term funding
Proposed Initiatives
Potential Passenger Rail Initiatives
(2010 to 2020)Intercity Passenger Rail Services:
Brunswick extensionLewiston/Auburn extensionPortland passenger terminal locationsBoston-Portland corridor improvements to enhance travel
time and reliabilityCommuter Rail:
Identify and protect key corridorsExpand corridor planning at local & regional level
Source: A Regional Context for Intercity Passenger Rail Improvements in the Northeast
Potential Intercity Passenger Rail Projects
Source: Northeast Rail Operations Study, Phase II, August, 2009
Source: A Regional Context for Intercity Passenger Rail Improvements in the Northeast
Over 80% of Northeast population lives within 25 miles of intercity rail!
Opportunities for TRANSIT
Potential Freight Initiatives Bangor-Searsport corridorLewiston/Auburn – inland port enhancementsCritical Freight Corridors Criteria:
State of good repair286k carload capacityDouble-stack – intermodal enhancements
Possible improvements to state-owned rail corridorsEastport Lewiston Lower/Rockland BranchMountain Division
Acquisition of rights-of-way
Potential Freight Rail Projects
Source: Northeast Rail Operations Study, Phase II, August, 2009
State Railroad Segment Project Description
Draft Recommended ActionsFREIGHTProtect critical rail corridors (state acquisition as required)Develop approach to address 286k & double stack
capacity Establish predictable and vigorous maintenance program
on state-owned rail linesDevelop stable funding for IRAP, FRIP, etc., and to match
federal fundsCoordinate with regional partners to create national trade
corridors connecting Maine
Draft Recommended ActionsPASSENGERExpand intercity services north of Portland to both
Brunswick & Lewiston/AuburnImplement improvements in Boston-Portland corridor Assess regional commuter rail needsAct on analysis for Portland passenger terminalsDevelop stable funding sourcesInitiate regional coordination for high-speed rail planning
Draft Recommended ActionsCROSS-CUTTINGIdentify strategies to enhance and integrate economic
development, land use, & multi-modal transportation Evaluate air quality impacts for rail transportation
improvementsConsolidate unnecessary grade crossings and/or
continue to improve their safety
Next StepsComplete public meetings Additional public/TAC inputContinue freight shipper interviewsDevelop rail corridor carload volumes Conduct critical rail corridor screening Submit draft report January 2010Study finalized mid to late Winter 2010 - available at
www.maine.gov/mdot