North Dakota DOT to work with partners on statewide rail plan

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) formed a partnership with the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) in updating the current rail plan to include a component enhancing statewide rail safety to meet growing transportation needs in the state.

 

“The current rail plan was completed in 2007 and with all the changes that have occurred in our state over the past few years, it is important to seek public input and work closely with railroad providers to update the plan,” said Grant Levi, NDDOT director. “By listening to the public and our rail partners, we will evaluate current trends influencing the rail system within the state and look at ways to enhance rail safety efforts across the state.”

The updated comprehensive plan is evaluating the overall rail system by reviewing railroad condition including railroad crossings and rail lines; train speeds; existing railroad freight and passenger demands and future needs; emergency response procedures in the state; tank car specifications and economic, safety and environmental impacts on the state, including “tradeoffs” with other modes such as highways, pipeline and air.

“The railroads travel through the heart of more than 150 North Dakota communities and are a major engine for our two largest industries, agriculture and energy,” PSC chairman Julie Fedorchak said. “This comprehensive state rail plan will examine the system that exists today and identify ways to make it safer and more efficient. I look forward to working with industry, federal regulators and communities on this effort.”

Development of the rail plan includes a project steering committee, which will survey stakeholders and conduct public meetings to gather input. The plan will work in tandem with rail related plans already underway including; Crude Oil Response Preparedness Report, Regional Railroad Infrastructure of North Dakota, BNSF’s Great Northern Corridor optimization study, NDDOT State Freight Plan, TransAction III and the Rail Safety Program.

NDDOT also has a rail program in place, which receives federal funding for rail crossing improvements. The program has been administered by the department since the mid-1970s. Rail crossings have been greatly improved since that time.

Legislature is considering the development of a rail safety inspection program to be administered by the PSC, as recommended in North Carolina Gov. Jack Dalrymple’s budget. The state rail plan will help inform and direct the PSC’s work if the commission’s proposed rail safety program is approved.

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