Seattle mayor pushes for rail transit

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn is pushing for local rail transit in the city. The expanded rail would connect neighborhoods, downtown and the Link light rail system.

In a written statement, Mayor McGinn wrote:

"As the City Council deliberates on a new transportation measure, it is important to recognize that there is an opportunity here for expanded rail transit in Seattle – if the council can be bold.

First some background. In 2010, the City Council and I appointed a Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee to advise the city on how to finance its transportation needs, now and in the future. At the same time, the Transit Master Plan process was launched, also advised by a diverse set of residents.

The Transit Master Plan showed that Seattle’s greatest weakness was connecting neighborhoods to each other. It identified fifteen corridors overall, five of which will need high capacity service and four of these are suitable for some form of rail transit. To some degree, we’ve all known this, but the rigorous approach of the Transit Master Plan clearly identifies the best corridors and points to the better ways to serve each corridor.In a number of cases, it points to rail, specifically a concept that has come to be known as "rapid streetcar." Unlike Sound Transit’s Link light rail, it operates in the right-of-way, making it cheaper and faster to build. To ensure it moves rapidly, it has high priority in the right of the way.

For the distances served, neighborhood to neighborhood, it looks like the right choice for a number of corridors in Seattle. That includes Ballard to downtown via Fremont, the University District to downtown via Eastlake and linking those to Seattle’s two initial streetcar lines to South Lake Union, the International District/Chinatown and Capitol Hill. Other cities have already demonstrated the promise of this approach, like Portland with its MAX system.

Until now, Seattle has always thought we could only afford more rail the Sound Transit way – wait for a regional vote and take decades to build it. But for local transit, the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee pointed to a different way: Use our local taxing authority to create a dedicated transit fund to expand neighborhood to neighborhood high-capacity transit.

The committee recommended an $80 VLF. Much of it goes to catching up on deferred maintenance, which I support. Forty nine percent goes to implement the Transit Master Plan, to catch up on our deferred transit needs. As a permanent funding source, this could fund the following in the next ten years: planning and alternatives analysis for all five high-capacity corridors in the Transit Master Plan, planning and construction for connecting the two streetcar lines through downtown, speed and reliability improvements on half of all non-high capacity transit corridors and substantial upgrades to our electric trolley bus infrastructure. Over the next 20 years, we could make good on the Transit Master Plan’s stated need to accommodate substantially more travelers on each of the high-capacity corridors the plan identified.

But here is the problem. The City Council is only considering a VLF for a limited amount of time, after which it expires. For this amount of money, all you can do is study a single corridor. You cannot finance long-term infrastructure with a short-term financing plan. You cannot get in the queue for federal, regional or state funds because there will be no source of funds for us to put up our local match. The Transit Master Plan will join the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans as nice plans, without serious funding.

There is a better way, and here is where boldness is required. If the VLF is ongoing, it becomes a steady source of revenue that can be borrowed against to build rail that will serve us for decades. It is how Sound Transit finances Link light rail, by borrowing against its statutory taxing authority. It is how the Washington State Department of Transportation finances major projects. It is how Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is planning to build a major expansion of rail in his city. In fact, even Seattle does it. We put into place a permanent parking tax that we bonded against to pay for the Spokane Street Viaduct and the Mercer Corridor, among others.

So, the question is now on the Council, can it do for transit what it does for major road projects, and commit to a long term funding source that will begin building the rail system Seattle needs and wants? If the answer is yes, we will begin the work of expanding rail to connect neighborhoods to each other, to downtown and to the Link Light Rail system.

If the answer is no, I will not stop working to fulfill my commitment to expand rail in Seattle. But it means we’ll have to keep coming back for the capital funding for transit, so that the Seattle Transit Master Plan does not become a pretty plan gathering dust on a shelf. And so that Seattle will realize its transit future."

 

UP wins Brunel Award for Heritage Locomotive Fleet

Union Pacific’s Heritage Locomotive Fleet program was selected as a winner of the 2011 Brunel Awards International Railway Design Competition; a contest evaluated by a jury of international leaders in the area of rail design and engineering. The UP fleet represented the United States in the category of industrial design, corporate branding, graphics and furnishings.

UP unveiled the Heritage Locomotive Fleet program in 2005. The locomotives in the fleet each feature a distinctive paint scheme that incorporates elements of one of the six railroads that merged with UP over the company’s history.

Cesar Vergara, a member of the Brunel Awards Committee, commented on the Heritage Locomotive Fleet’s ability to "project the U.S. freight industry’s uninterrupted heritage and project the future while celebrating the past."

 

NS’s Heartland Corridor Project wins Brunel Award

Norfolk Southern received a technical infrastructure commendation for its Heartland Corridor project in the 2011 Brunel Awards International Railway Design Competition; a contest evaluated by a jury of international leaders in the area of rail design and engineering to recognize top railway architecture and engineering among others.

The Heartland Corridor project was an initiative to raise the vertical clearances of 28 railroad tunnels and remove 24 overhead obstructions in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, to allow the passage of double-stack container trains.

 

Huron Central Railway starts C$33.3 million rehabilitation project

Huron Central Railway Inc., a shortline railway in the province of Ontario, Canada, will begin its rehabilitation project.

The Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and the Canadian government are each funding C$15 million (U.S.$15.15 million) of the C$33.3 million (U.S.$33.63 million) HCRY rehabilitation project.

HCRY has awarded contracts for the initial phase.

The rehabilitation includes surfacing 200 miles of track, replacing 140,000 crossties and dumping 125,000 tons of ballast.

The first phase of the project is expected to occur over two years.

 

Brunel winners announced

The Association of American Railroads and the International Union of Railways jointly announced that 43 projects from 11 nations have been recognized for design excellence in the 2011 Edition of the prestigious Brunel Awards International Railway Design Competition in judging recently completed in Washington, D.C. More 150 entries were received from railway and government organizations throughout the world that own or operate railway services and/or manage rail infrastructure. Nineteen projects received Brunel Awards, the highest level of recognition, while 24 others received Commendations.

The U.S. and Japan won the most Brunel Awards with five each. Other nations receiving awards are Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The official award ceremony will take place in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14, 2011, with representatives of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the AAR, the UIC and the Watford Group making presentations to the winners.

The Brunel Awards competition recognizes and promotes the best in railway architecture, engineering, landscape and environmental design, product design, locomotive and car design, graphic arts and corporate branding amongst the world’s railways. Honorary co-chairs of the Brunel Awards Committee are Joseph Szabo, FRA Administrator and AAR President and CEO Edward Hamberger.

"This year’s submissions from the rail industry are evidence of the tremendous commitment to quality in design and expertise in building and maintaining a true 21st Century rail network. The Brunel Awards competition provides a platform to recognize good design while reinforcing the importance of rail in everyday life," said Ed Hamberger.

CP takes steps to reduce rail-related bear deaths in Banff National Park

Parks Canada and Canadian Pacific are implementing the first initiatives coming from the joint action plan created last fall to further mitigate rail-related bear mortality in Banff National Park. Actions include promising mitigations, the release of a five-year research plan and an upcoming bear-railway research symposium to be held in Banff this fall.

"The government of Canada and CP share a common desire to reduce bear mortality in Banff National Park," said the Honorable Peter Kent, Canada’s environment minister and minister responsible for Parks Canada. "Similar to the approach used successfully to address Bow Valley town sites and the highway, these innovative initiatives will incorporate the best science available to address railway-related bear mortality through shared responsibility."

Parks Canada and CP will use selected portions of the railway throughout Banff National Park as a living laboratory to determine ways to mitigate rail-caused animal mortality through science-based initiatives. These locations will be used to test initiatives such as vegetation management to improve sight lines between animals and trains, wayside systems designed to warn bears of approaching trains, on-track structures to discourage bears from using the tracks as an escape path from trains, as well as gate and fencing structures. Some of these initiatives are currently underway while others are in the design phase for testing and implementation in the fall.

In addition, a research symposium will be the launching point to bring together some of North America’s leading bear and transportation scientists to share information and ideas to develop medium- and long-term solutions. Pilot projects will be identified, tested and supported by robust monitoring to determine effectiveness.

"Canadian Pacific is proud of our shared history and association with Canada’s national parks," said CP CEO Fred Green. "As an industry leader in environmental stewardship, our goal is to work with Parks Canada and others to identify areas of our right-of-way where animals may be more vulnerable, test and implement effective solutions and contribute to the longevity of bears on the mountain landscape."

 

Alaska Railroad schedules two events to highlight Tanana River Bridge Construction

Events that showcase the Tanana River bridge project have been scheduled as the
Alaska Railroad prepares for construction to begin in Salcha, Alaska.

Public Open House: August 23 – Salcha School, 8530 Richardson Highway.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. (Note: Salcha residents located next to the construction site have also been invited to an informational gathering on August 22. This meeting is designed specifically for neighboring property owners and is not a public event.)

Ground-breaking Ceremony: September 28 – Beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the bridge construction staging area in Salcha. Access to and space at the staging area is limited and vans will be on-hand to shuttle local dignitaries to the site.

The bridge is the first phase of the larger Northern Rail Extension project that will eventually expand railroad track infrastructure from North Pole / Eielson 80 miles southeast to Delta Junction. Expected to be a three-year effort, NRE Phase One will construct a new bridge across the river and an associated levee near Salcha, Alaska. The Environmental Impact Statement was completed in 2010.

The August open house will offer nearby residents and the interested public a project update to include construction phasing, traffic control, community impacts and EIS mitigation measures. The presentation will provide an overview of these topics, however, attendees can come at any time during the open house to review displays and ask questions. Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions and explain phases and stages of the project.

The ground-breaking ceremony will feature members of Alaska’s congressional delegation, governor’s office, local community dignitaries and railroad executives. The event will celebrate the start of the long-anticipated rail extension, which is expected to boost local and state economies with millions of dollars spent on local equipment, materials, supplies and lodging. More than 200 construction jobs are projected during the summer months and about two dozen year-round.

UP named Carrier of the Year by Heinz North America

Heinz North America honored Union Pacific as its 2011 Carrier of the Year award winner for the railroad’s performance in transporting refrigerated and canned products.

Union Pacific’s efforts surpassed those of motor carriers, who historically have won the award, primarily as a result of its work shipping Ore-Ida frozen potatoes from Ontario, Ore., to markets in the eastern United States.

"Union Pacific is honored to be recognized with this award by Heinz North America," said John Philp, Union Pacific assistant vice president-Food and Refrigerated Products. "We value our relationship with Heinz and strive to provide superior service and quality to all our customers."

By switching from highway transportation to Union Pacific, Heinz saved 600,000 gallons of diesel fuel, cut CO2 emissions by 44 percent and took approximately 2,000 trucks off America’s congested highways in the past year.

Watco names VP project management

Paul Leonards has accepted the position of vice president of project management of Watco Companies. Leonards will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of construction performed on projects, enforcing all safety rules and guidelines, regulations and quality control.

Leonards has more than 22 years of experience in project management and 12 years in con¬struction management. He has been with Hill Brothers since 1988 where he started out as a project engineer and worked his way up to vice president. He has also served as the general railroad construction manager having involvement with all railroad projects contracted with Canadian National and Kansas City Southern.

California receives $179 million for passenger rail network

California will receive $179 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to continue building a statewide passenger-rail network with both high-speed and intercity service. Funding will kick start several major projects throughout the state, including the construction of new tracks, the purchase of next-generation trains and the installation of high-tech signaling systems.

Through federal investments and voter-approved state investments, California is laying the groundwork for the nation’s first 220 mph high-speed rail system that will deliver sub-two hour trip times between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. The rail dollars will also be used to improve existing intercity service throughout the state, including the acquisition of new trains.

"With 20 million more people expected to be in California within the next 40 years, we can’t build enough highways and airport runways to accommodate the demand," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo. "Passenger rail will play a much greater role in how Californians move throughout the state to ensure California’s economy keeps moving forward."

The California High-Speed Rail Authority will receive $86.4 million for the Central Valley high-speed rail project, extending the current 110 mile segment an additional 20 miles to Merced and Bakersfield, Calif., advancing completion of the backbone of the Los Angeles to San Francisco corridor.

The California Department of Transportation will receive $68 million for new trains servicing intercity routes. The funding is part of a multi-state procurement between California, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Washington State to pool resources, maximizing the purchase of next-generation American-made trains. The money will contribute to the purchase of six new locomotives and forty new passenger cars.

More than $24.9 million was awarded to Caltrans for the installation of positive train control between San Onofre and San Diego, Calif. This signaling system will increase railroad safety and efficiency by monitoring and controlling train movements.

 

FTA forms panel to advance transit in southeastern Michigan

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration convened a panel of highly experienced transit experts from around the country to advise southeastern Michigan leaders on ways to create a 21st-century public transit system.

The FTA said each of the five members chosen for the Detroit Area Transit Panel has an industry record of achievement in creating or expanding rail transit in their own cities.

The panel will host workshops for regional transportation stakeholders and meet one-on-one with several statewide, city and local officials to learn the challenges and opportunities of implementing rail transit in the Detroit metropolitan area. Specifically, the panel will meet with City of Detroit officials, senior staff of the office of Gov. Rick Snyder, State of Michigan Department of Transportation officials, the county executives of the greater-Detroit region, M1 Rail and the Southeast Michigan Area Regional Transportation.

For a complete list of panel members, visit the FTA website.

 

UP begins work on New Mexico rail facility

Union Pacific began preparation work for an all-new 2,000-acre rail facility just outside Santa Teresa, N.M. The company plans to invest an estimated $400 million toward the total cost of the project.

Once complete, the facility will be 11.5 miles long and one mile wide and will include 200 miles of railroad track and 26 buildings for yard operations. It will also include fueling facilities, crew change buildings, locomotive inspection tracks, an intermodal ramp and a switching yard.

 

North-Link Partnership awards Edmonton LRT contract

The North-Link Partnership made up of Graham Group and SNC-Lavalin Constructors has awarded HJ Skelton (Canada) Ltd. a contract to supply the trackwork for Canada’s Edmonton North LRT project.

The company will provide two intersecting double crossovers, curved and acute, with a third track-exit diamond crossing. It will be manufactured by DT in the Czech Republic and the special trackwork close crossties will come from LB Foster’s CXT concrete tie plant in Spokane, Wash.

TriMet names new General Counsel

TriMet promoted Jana Toran to the agency’s new General Counsel in July. She replaced M. Brian Playfair who retired from this position.

Toran has been with TriMet for 10 years and was previously the company’s director of legal services. Prior to her tenure at TriMet, Toran was sole practitioner of her own firm.

"She has made significant contributions to TriMet, building a strong in-house litigation team," said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane.

 

APTA: Transportation impacts varied by debt deal

President Obama signed legislation on Aug. 2 to raise the nation’s debt limit, following the implementation of the Budget Control Act passed by the House on Aug. 1.

An initial analysis of the Act by the American Public Transportation Association reveals no specific impact on transportation accounts or the Highway Trust Fund/Mass Transit Account. Spending authority from the HTF/MTA is treated as mandatory spending, and thus not subject to the discretionary spending caps set forth in the Act. The Act does not provide for any additional revenues, to any federal accounts and thus does nothing to ensure the solvency of the HTF/MTA.

As a result, the scenario facing House and Senate Transportation Authorizing committees remains unchanged. It is expected that House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica will continue to proceed with his six-year bill at revenue-constrained funding levels.

While the leadership of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), which has jurisdiction over the federal highway program, has proposed a two-year authorization bill that funds transit and highway programs at current levels, it is not clear how the Act will affect efforts to raise the estimated $12 billion needed to fund that bill.

The APTA is suggesting its members contact their congressional delegations during the August district work period to urge a surface transportation authorization bill in September. This may help preserve current levels of funding for transit and highway programs and possibly provide funding for a six-year, multimodal surface transportation authorization bill.

Despite initial plans of the EPW committee to hold a hearing on its two-year surface transportation authorization proposal, action was put on hold in light of the debt limit debate and no further action will occur until congress returns in September.

The date for markup of the bill remains fluid as Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), the EPW committee-ranking member, has expressed opposition to moving forward without the financing for the bill in place. Currently, the two-year proposal needs approximately $12 billion over two years to fund the bill at proposed levels as discussed in this previous legislative alert. Once EPW moves forward, it is expected that the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, which has jurisdiction over transit and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over rail and safety programs, will release their respective titles shortly thereafter.

FTA selects six transit agencies for pilot program

The Federal Transit Administration has selected six transit agencies from around the U.S. to participate in its Transit Asset Management pilot program and share $4 million to help take a more systematic approach to determining and anticipating when equipment needs maintenance or when it needs to be replaced.

The program encourages urban, suburban and rural transit agencies to find new, cost-effective ways to manage and maintain the condition of their systems.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (San Francisco Bay area), Regional Transportation Authority (Chicago and Northeast Illinois), Utah Transit Authority, Valley Regional Transit (Meridian, Idaho) and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation were selected to participate in the pilot program.

Union Pacific ups speed of Kansas line

As part of Union Pacific’s $3 million investment in track improvements, the railroad will increase the speed of its trains in several central Kansas communities. The speed will increase from 25 mph to 49 mph across UP’s 20-mile line between Whitewater, Kan., and Wichita, Kan.

Train speeds will be increased five mph each week beginning Sept. 1, and four mph on Sept. 22, when the new maximum speed limit of 49 mph is reached.

 

KCS appoints Cline VP and treasurer

Kansas City Southern has appointed Michael Cline to vice president and treasurer, replacing Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer Paul Weyandt, who retired this summer.

Cline has worked in finance for 28 years. He joins KCS from Great Plains Energy, where he spent 10 years, most recently as vice president of investor relations and treasurer.

 

Amtrak names new leadership to Mayors’ Advisory Council

Amtrak has named Mayor Mick Cornett of Oklahoma City, Okla., as chairman and Mayor Susan Kluttz of Salisbury, N.C., as vice chairman of the Amtrak Mayors’ Advisory Council.

"I look forward to leading the Amtrak Mayors’ Advisory Council in our focus on expanded national transportation mobility and travel options," said Mayor Cornett.

"I am truly honored to serve on the Amtrak Mayors Advisory Council. The railroad has been an important part of my City’s history since 1855 and the addition of Amtrak service in 1971 has been a tremendous asset," said Mayor Kluttz.

 

Watco names Diemert GM Louis transload facility

Watco Transload and Intermodal Services has named Ed Diemert general manager of its St. Louis, Mo., transload facility. Diemert will be responsible for managing operating activi¬ties and will also be tasked with managing operating and financial resources.

According to Watco, Diemert brings a high level of customer service created from his background in truck sales at Kenworth of St. Louis, where he worked for four years.

 

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