Author: jrood

Banyan Rail Services subsidiary enters tie service agreement with KCS

Banyan Rail Services Inc., based in Boca Raton, Fla., has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Wood Energy Group, Inc. has entered into an amended service agreement with Kansas City Southern Railway Company for the gathering, pick-up and disposal of scrap rail ties. Wood Energy, based in St. Louis, Mo., is one of the nation’s largest railroad tie reclamation and disposal companies.

Under this amended service agreement, Wood Energy has been selected to pick up and remove more than 500,000 railroad ties per year for the next two years. The original service agreement designated Wood Energy to dispose of the ties once delivered by KCS to Wood Energy. This agreement covers the gathering, pick-up and disposal of rail ties along KCS’ 3,500-mile, 10-state rail system serving the central and south central U.S.

Greg Smith, president of The Wood Energy Group, said, "This new KCS tie contract is an excellent addition to our core business. By virtue of this amended agreement, Wood Energy will increase its total tie reclamation volume to well over 2 million ties annually. It has been a pleasure to work with the folks at the KCS and we are excited about this opportunity to expand our services with them."

Banyan Rail Services Inc. is a railroad support services company headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. The Company owns The Wood Energy Group, Inc., one of the nation’s largest railroad tie reclamation and disposal companies.

KCS, RPC open transload facility in Mexico

In a March 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony, KCS and Rehrig Pacific Company celebrated the opening of a new transload facility to be served by KCS and operated by RPC at an industrial park in the City of Queretaro. KCS de Mexico president and executive representative Jose Zozaya and RPC chief executive officer Joseph Doka were on hand. Also attending the ceremony was KCS executive vice president sales and marketing Pat Ottensmeyer.

The Queretaro transload facility allows KCS to better serve customers within the industrial park with an unloading platform and capacity for 19 cars on two tracks, creating significant savings in transportation, logistics and storage costs for area customers. Transload facilities add capacity to the KCS network by providing customers not located directly on the rail line with access to rail service.

As part of their visit to the State of Queretaro, Zozaya and Ottensmeyer toured the Queretaro market area with members of the KCS sales and marketing team. The group visited existing and potential customers and toured the area on the ground and by plane to gather market intelligence.

Queretaro is a vast industrial area with many customers already served by KCS. The manufacturing sector contributes 29 percent to the state’s gross domestic product. With more manufacturers choosing to locate in Queretaro, KCS sees significant potential to bring additional rail service to the area.

"KCS has identified Queretaro as a target market ripe for conversion from truck to rail," said Ottensmeyer. "We will be aggressively marketing our intermodal, transload and carload conversion opportunities in this burgeoning market."

 

New York awarded $3.3M from feds

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $3.3 million for the State of New York to add track and rail capacity in the congested Upstate New York area, advancing the state’s high-speed intercity passenger rail program.

The project will relieve congestion, leading to greater reliability and faster travel times, and is necessary to achieve the faster speeds for future high-speed rail development. The project is being funded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"Adding track in Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa will reduce congestion and improve reliability," said Secretary LaHood. "President Obama’s bold vision for high-speed rail will deliver a much-needed boost of jobs, help reinvigorate our manufacturing base and reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

New York State received $3.3 million for two miles of second mainline track used by Amtrak’s Adirondack and Ethan Allen Express services near the Village of Ballston Spa, NY. Both of these services saw an increase in ridership in 2010, and the second mainline track will relieve significant congestion near the Saratoga train station and a major freight classification yard. The existing congestion requires Amtrak trains to wait up to 30 minutes for the track to clear. The New York Department of Transportation is contributing $3.5 million for this project, which has also signed a service outcome agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway. Construction will begin in spring 2011.

"New York is committed to moving forward with high-speed rail and these federal resources are an important step in that direction," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

 

Caltrain Board postpones adopting reduced train schedule

California’s Caltrain Board of Directors voted unanimously to postpone a decision on a reduced train schedule until April 21 and directed staff to work to identify additional funds that would make the cuts unnecessary. Board members expressed the desire to make no cuts to the current 86-train schedule, which has achieved record-level ridership.

Director Adrienne Tissier, who also chairs the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, said she was "extremely frustrated" at the prospect of cutting the rail service. "The system is not broken, but we’re looking today to break it. It is a model for a system that runs beautifully," said Tissier.

The service reductions are under consideration due to a projected $30 million deficit in Fiscal Year 2012.

The proposed 76-train schedule presented to the Board today offered significantly more service than an earlier 48-train schedule.
The vote to postpone a decision about service reductions followed a presentation about a recent annual ridership count, which showed Caltrain customers using the rail service at an all-time high. The count, conducted in February, shows average weekday ridership at 41,442, an increase of nearly 13 percent over last year.

A preliminary budget presentation at the meeting showed Caltrain can close its budget deficit under a 76-train schedule by using one-time-only funds.

To retain the current 86-train schedule Caltrain would need an additional $3.5 million in funding.

"We need to go back in the next two weeks for that $3.5 million," said Tissier. "We can bring full service back. We can keep stations open. We can keep Baby Bullet alive … Why stop short today?"

Additional funding possibilities include right-of-way repayment to SamTrans from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, funds allocated for electrification and the Dumbarton Rail Corridor, and regional money from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for maintenance that could be converted to operating funds.

Without a dedicated source of funding, Caltrain struggles every year to put together an operating budget. Director Omar Ahmad said, "This is not a sustainable budget … We need to put forward a budget that we can look people in the eye and say this is sustainable."
The Caltrain partners and MTC have been working with community coalitions to address the long-term funding of the rail system, which does not have a permanent, dedicated source of revenue. The Silicon Valley Leadership Group, which has made Caltrain’s fiscal crisis its primary focus, is hosting a series of town hall meetings to address the problem.

 

House T&I Committee: Federal government must not get in the way of safe, effective transportation

The Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard testimony April 7 from a wide array of transportation stakeholders regarding their priorities for streamlining and improving programs, and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, for consideration in a reauthorization of surface transportation programs.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is preparing to draft major transportation and jobs legislation that will include policy reforms to improve rail and hazmat transportation in the United States.

"These titles will focus on improving the efficiency of programs, and ensuring that the federal government does not get in the way of safe, effective transportation and flow of commerce in the United States," said U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee.

Chairman Shuster’s Statement from Today’s Hearing:

"The Transportation Committee is working on the reauthorization of a transportation bill – it is important to note that this will be a "Transportation" bill, not just a "highway" bill. I am proud that under Chairman Mica’s leadership the Committee is looking to address a wide variety of transportation needs.

"In our subcommittee, Chairman Mica has asked me to focus on putting together a strong rail title to the transportation bill, and we are also considering important issues regarding the transportation of hazardous materials.

"Chairman Mica and members of the Committee have traveled across the country to hold listening sessions in an effort to get as much input as possible on the transportation bill where we plan to do more with less.

"The Subcommittee will receive testimony from rail stakeholders regarding legislative priorities for changes or reforms, particularly in the areas of intercity passenger rail, high speed rail, rail safety and rail financing.

"Additionally, the Subcommittee will hear from hazardous materials stakeholders regarding legislative priorities for reauthorization of the hazardous materials transportation safety programs at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

"These titles will focus on improving the efficiency of programs, and ensuring that the federal government does not get in the way of safe, effective transportation and commerce in the United States."

 

FRA issues safety advisory for switch operations

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a Safety Advisory to remind freight railroad operators and their employees about hazards associated with switching operations.

FRA’s Safety Advisory addresses the need to follow federal regulations and railroad operating rules that govern the procedures for leaving rolling equipment in the clear of adjacent tracks. This Safety Advisory is in response to two recent incidents where railroad employees were killed during switching operations.

"Equipment inappropriately left on adjacent tracks is a serious and potentially life threatening matter," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. "We can take important steps to increase awareness and stop this dangerous practice."

The FRA Safety Advisory recommends that railroad companies review the recent incidents with employees and reinstruct them on procedures and rules governing leaving rolling equipment clear of adjacent tracks. It also recommends that railroads review job-briefing procedures.

The Safety Advisory is available at http://www.fra.dot.gov/rrs/pages/fp_350.shtml.

Amtrak on its way to setting annual ridership record

March marked 17 consecutive months of year-over-year ridership growth for Amtrak, was the best March ever for the company and puts Amtrak on track to set another annual ridership record.

"Our ridership has grown more than 36 percent since 2000, and I expect that trend to continue – and if gas prices continue to rise – to accelerate. Our only restriction will be the available capacity," Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a House Appropriations committee that is considering the national passenger railroad’s FY 2012 budget request.

This performance is part of a long-term trend that has seen Amtrak set annual ridership records in seven of the last eight fiscal years, including more than 28.7 million passengers in FY 2010.

Specifically, there was a 5.5 percent increase in riders in March 2011 vs. March 2010, or more than 137,000 passengers. The 17 straight months of year-over-year ridership growth spans from November 2009 to March 2011 and averages a 6.3 percent growth rate over this period.

Comparing the first six months of FY 2011 (October to March) to the same time period in FY 2010 shows ridership is up 5.9 percent, or 802,745 passengers. In addition, during that same period ridership has increased on all three of Amtrak’s major business lines: Northeast Corridor up 3.9 percent, state-supported and other short distance corridors up 7.7 percent and long-distance trains up 5.3 percent.

Sec. LaHood issues statement concerning $2.4B in HSR funds

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood issued the following statement today regarding the $2.4 billion available for High-Speed Rail:

"Today, we are another step closer to delivering an innovative, national transportation network that brings new jobs and economic opportunity to the American people. Since I announced the availability of an additional $2.4 billion for high-speed rail projects, governors and members of Congress have been clamoring for the opportunity to participate. That’s because they know that high-speed rail will deliver tens of thousands of jobs, spur economic development across their communities and create additional options for their citizens as the country’s population grows. We have received more than 90 applications from 24 states, the District of Columbia and Amtrak for projects in the Northeast Corridor, with preliminary requests totaling nearly $10 billion dollars. We are extremely pleased to see the bipartisan enthusiasm behind all of the requests to get into the high-speed rail business. Thanks to President Obama’s bold vision for a national high speed rail network, we will win the future for America."

Caltrain tentative financial agreement could minimize service reductions

Executive staff from Caltrain’s three member agencies and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission reached agreement on a tentative financial plan that, if approved, would significantly reduce the agency’s projected Fiscal Year 2012 operating deficit and allow considerably more service than an earlier proposal.

Based on the agreement, Caltrain staff is recommending that the Board authorize a 76-train weekday schedule for Caltrain service beginning in July 2011.

The proposed schedule is a 60 percent increase in weekday train frequency over an earlier 48-train schedule, which was released in February as a worst-case scenario to reflect the agency’s $30 million operating deficit. Unlike the earlier proposal, the 76-train schedule maintains the current span of early morning, midday and late evening weekday service hours; supports service between Gilroy and San Francisco; and provides continued, but modified, weekend and special event service, including baseball service.

In addition, where the original schedule proposed suspension of service at up to 16 stations, the 76-train schedule would require suspension of weekday service at only three – Bayshore, Hayward Park and Capitol.

"The 76-train proposal is a significant improvement over the worst-case scenario, and there is a lot to like in the new schedule. It actually provides more service to some stations than they have now and it preserves the competitive travel times our customers have come to expect from Caltrain," said Caltrain Executive Director Michael J. Scanlon.

Scanlon also emphasized that any solution to the Caltrain fiscal crisis is entirely temporary.

"This is an emergency, short-term fix and it does not address the core financial issues that continue to threaten Caltrain service," Scanlon said. "Caltrain needs a permanent, dedicated source of revenue. Without that, the fiscal crisis we faced this year will only get worse and the future of the rail system will continue to be in doubt."

The tentative funding agreement that makes the new weekday and weekend schedules possible was negotiated among the three Caltrain partners – San Francisco through the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and the San Mateo County Transit District- and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

The agreement involves augmenting the support of the Caltrain operating budget through the swapping state and regional capital funds and through funds that VTA will pay to SamTrans for the initial purchase of the Caltrain right of way.

The new schedule reduces net operating costs by approximately $3.3 million and includes a staff recommendation to generate over $2 million through a fare increase and an increase in parking fees.

Scanlon cautioned that the agreement would only cover the coming Fiscal Year 2012 but added that the parties will continue to negotiate through the summer in hopes of reaching agreement this fall on how to address Caltrain budget shortfalls in Fiscal Year 2013.

The Caltrain partners and MTC also are working closely with community coalitions to address the long-term funding of the rail system, which does not have a permanent, dedicated source of revenue.

 

Vermont rail system using RailComm’s Track Warrant Control System

RailComm’s Track Warrant Control System is now being utilized at the Vermont Rail System. RailComm’s Domain Operations Controller (DOC®) train control system can be accessed through a web-enabled software-as-a-service (SaaS) delivery.

SaaS provides a "pay-as-you-go" model, thus eliminating capital equipment procurement constraints. Through this delivery, railroads can be remotely dispatched by the Vermont Rail System wherever an Internet connection is available. It is now possible to relocate dispatchers to alternative locations, if the need arises. Vermont Rail System management members can log in from their offices, homes, or even from hotels to directly view dispatching activities and obtain management reports.

Since the DOC® control application resides on servers within the RailComm-managed data center in Rochester, N.Y., the requirement for local IT support at each railroad is greatly reduced.

Sound Transit launches new website featuring improved trip planner, rider-focused design

Faster, easier access to more information will improve commuting experience.

Sound Transit in Seattle, Wash., has launched a new website with features that make it easier for people to take advantage of bus and train service throughout the region.

In addition to a clean, intuitive design, the website features an improved trip planner with interactive maps that provide more information about transit connections and the locations of stations, stops and parking. Schedules are easier to read. Menus are designed to be more intuitive for riders. As before, the trip planner covers all Sound Transit services as well as those of other regional agencies.

"More than 90 percent of the people who log on to our website are riders. Their input was critical to our process," said Ron Klein, Sound Transit executive director of Communications and External Affairs. "We listened, we tested, we revised and we tested again."

The site is located at www.soundtransit.org. Improvements to the trip planner include the ability to type in start and end points of a transit trip and see multiple options on an interactive map. The map allows riders to change the start and end points by dropping and dragging colored flags. The locations of parking facilities and transit stations and stops are easier to find than on the old trip planner.
Rider alerts – the best way to get breaking information on issues that affect service – have been highlighted and improved. Riders can continue to subscribe to receive rider alerts and an array of other information via e-mail or text messages.

 

FRA issues final rule on concrete ties

The Federal Railroad Administration published its final rule regarding concrete crossties.

A portion of the rule as published in the Federal Register reads: "FRA is amending the Federal Track Safety Standards to promote the safety of railroad operations over track constructed with concrete crossties. In particular, FRA is mandating specific requirements for effective concrete crossties, for rail fastening systems connected to concrete crossties, and for automated inspections of track constructed with concrete crossties.

"In this final rule, FRA is establishing standards for the maintenance of concrete crossties in track Classes 1 through 5. Specifically, FRA is establishing limits for rail seat abrasion, concrete crosstie pad wear limits, missing or broken rail fasteners, loss of appropriate toeload pressure, improper fastener configuration and excessive lateral rail movement. FRA is also adding a section requiring the automated inspection of track constructed with concrete crossties."

AAR calls on Congress to continue safety programs, short line tax credit

The Association of American Railroads called on Congress to continue supporting grade crossing safety programs, tax credits that help short line railroads remain competitive and policies that encourage public-private partnerships for rail infrastructure as it considers reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). In testimony before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger also urged the panel to reject policies that undermine railroads’ ability to compete or invest in infrastructure, including allowing bigger trucks onto our nation’s highways.

New Mexico Governor approves tax break, UP to invest $400M in New Mexico rail facility

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed into law a bill passed by the New Mexico Legislature granting Union Pacific a locomotive fuel tax deduction. This legislation paves the way for UP to begin construction of an all new rail facility near Santa Teresa, N.M. in June 2011.

Construction of the new facility will create approximately 3,000 jobs during the build phase from 2011 to 2015. UP expects that more than 600 jobs will be based at the facility once it reaches full capacity in 2025. The estimated overall economic impact of the project for N.M. exceeds $500 million, UP’s investment highlighting the company’s strong commitment to enhancing the nation’s transportation infrastructure and setting the standard for outstanding customer service.

"Our strategic investment in this new facility helps improve capacity and enhance efficiency on a key part of our network, while also demonstrating our long-term commitment to deliver premium service to our customers," said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. "Investments of this kind are guided by our mission to serve and are leading to new business and record levels of safety and customer satisfaction."

This facility will be located just west of the Santa Teresa Airport on 2,200 acres and will include fueling facilities, crew change buildings, an intermodal yard and an intermodal ramp with an annual lift capacity of up to 250,000 intermodal containers. The New Mexico economy will get an immediate boost when construction on the project begins later this year.

Massachusetts applies for federal funds for Merrimack River rail bridge replacement

The Patrick-Murray Administration has submitted a formal application for $98.4 million in federal high-speed and intercity passenger rail funds for the replacement of a critical rail bridge in Haverhill, Mass., serving Amtrak "Downeaster" service between Boston and Portland, Maine and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority commuter rail Haverhill Line. If approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration, the grant would fund the final design and replacement of the bridge, expanding service and enhancing on-time performance for both Amtrak regional and commuter rail service.

"The Haverhill bridge project would represent another dramatic step toward improved high-speed and intercity rail service in the Commonwealth and across New England," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan, "Our application for these funds is being submitted in close cooperation with our regional partners and their own applications for projects that will improve rail service across the Northeast."

The Patrick-Murray Administration also joined the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG), in sending a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expressing collective support a set of rail infrastructure projects being submitted by nine states, the District of Columbia and Amtrak for the recently available high-speed intercity passenger rail grant funds.

The projects are critical building blocks for expanded, high(er)-speed and next generation intercity passenger rail service and will create jobs now and sustained economic growth in cities and towns throughout the region. The grant application submitted by the April 4 deadline includes construction projects, such as the Haverhill bridge replacement in Mass., along with double tracking and track expansion and power and signal upgrades that can be implemented quickly.

 

House proposes short-term continuing resolution that would cut transit and high-speed rail

American Public Transportation Association issued a legislative alert:

Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and the Obama Administration are attempting to forge a compromise on final spending levels for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. The current Continuing Resolution that is funding the federal government expires on Friday, April 8 at midnight. Congress must either enact another short term CR, or reach a compromise on a package for spending for the remainder of the fiscal year by that deadline to avert a government shutdown. Although budget negotiators for the Congress and the Administration state that they are close to reaching a deal on the budget levels for the remainder of the year (which would contain substantial reductions in funding for discretionary domestic programs), it is likely that an additional short-term CR will be needed.

The House Committee on Appropriations filed a one-week CR that would fund the federal government through April 15. The House bill proposes to reduce funding for the current year by an additional $12 billion below FY 2010 levels. Among the reductions in the one week CR proposed by the House are cuts in four programs critical to transit and passenger rail. Proposed reductions include:

• $1.5 billion for high speed Rail. This proposal would reduce funding for the HSR program from $2.5 billion provided in FY 2010, to $1 billion for FY 2011, the same level proposed in the President’s budget for this year.

• $280 million for Capitol Investment Grants. The proposal would reduce funding for the New Starts Program from $2 billion in FY 2010 to $1,720,000 in FY 2011. The bulk of these funds would come from the cancelled New Jersey ARC Tunnel project.

• $3,270,000 for FTA research and university research centers. The proposal would reduce funding for this program from $65,670,000 in FY 2010 to $62,400,000 in FY 2011.

• $40 million for rail and transit security grants. The proposal would reduce funding at the Department of Homeland Security for this program from $300 million in FY 2010 to $260 million in FY 2011.

It is important to note that the House proposed CR would only reduce funding for the current fiscal year, below FY 2010 levels. It does not seek to reduce or rescind funds appropriated in previous years.

APTA has sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. House and Senate opposing these reductions that disproportionately target transit and passenger rail programs.

APTA urges people to contact Members of Congress and urge them to maintain current funding levels for public transportation and passenger rail in the FY 2011 budget.

 

HRT halts study on light rail in Va. Beach indefinitely

Hampton Roads Transit has put its study of light rail in Virginia Beach on indefinite hold, one month before it was set to release preliminary costs and ridership estimates for an extension from Norfolk to the Oceanfront.

HRT issued a stop-work notice to its consultant late last week after questions surfaced from Federal Transit Administration officials about phasing in extensions and about models used to project ridership. HRT says federal officials indicated they may want actual ridership counts from The Tide starter line in Norfolk, which won’t open until later this year.

In a letter to City Manager Jim Spore, HRT President and CEO Philip Shucet indicated a "time-out" of a year or more may be necessary. Because addressing the FTA’s concerns could affect ridership and cost projections, Shucet said, "despite public anticipation," HRT will not be providing those numbers until the study is reactivated.
Spore said he expected a presentation to the City Council later this month and a public hearing next month.

Shucet said he’s seeking clarification of recent FTA concerns, which will determine the length of the delay. He said it could range from days to more than a year.
"The comments from the FTA could have serious impacts on the scope, schedule and budget," Shucet said. "Because of that, I don’t want to continue to spend public money if there’s even a semblance of a cloud" over the study.

HRT has already spent $2.7 million with Nebraska-based engineering firm HDR Inc., for the study, which began nearly two years ago. The study’s budget is $4.4 million, paid for by federal and state grants.

The current study schedule shows a selection by the end of the year on what’s known as a locally preferred alternative, a decision on which transit option – rail or buses – would work best in the corridor being studied. The corridor consists of the 10.8-mile inactive Norfolk Southern right-of-way from Newtown to Birdneck roads. Connections to the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Oceanfront are also being examined.

 

Washington state applies for $120M of Florida’s rejected funds

Washington state applied for approximately $120 million in federal high-speed-rail stimulus money, part of $2.4 billion returned by Florida. The Washington State Department of Transportation will use the money to continue improving and expanding Amtrak Cascades service between Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C.

This potential funding would add to $590 million already secured by the Federal Railroad Administration and $161 million redirected from Ohio and Wisconsin – a total of $751 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act high-speed-rail funding.

"We will create jobs, improve rail travel and make our state an even better place to live and do business by putting these funds to good use," said Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The Florida-related funding has more stringent "readiness" requirements, narrowing the list of projects eligible for consideration. Projects in WSDOT’s application are primarily for environmental and engineering work to stabilize hillsides, add capacity to reduce conflicts with freight and replace an aging trestle. All projects funded by the ARRA rail grants must be completed by September 2017.

"We’re working hard to improve reliability for passenger service along this route," said Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. "In partnership with BNSF, this funding allows us to address those problem areas and ensure that trains get to their destinations and get there on time."

The original $590 million from the Federal Railroad Administration will allow WSDOT to add two daily round trips between Seattle and Portland, for a total of six. Major construction projects will be completed, including building bypass tracks to allow for increased train frequency and multiple upgrades to existing track. Several safety-related projects will be completed, including grade separations and the latest technology in advanced-warning signal systems. WSDOT expects to begin construction on select projects before the end of the year.

Connecticut DOT applies for $227M in federal funds

Connecticut has submitted an application for $227 million in federal funding to complete the third phase of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield high-speed intercity passenger rail project. The Connecticut Department of Transportation submitted its application April 4, to the Federal Railroad Administration for the $227 million, which is available due to Florida rejecting the funds earlier this year.

"Once implemented, this line will support up to 50 daily passenger trains reaching speeds up to 110 miles an hour – providing some of the best rail service in the nation," Connecticute Governor Dannel Malloy said. "We are underscoring our commitment to this crucial project by investing a total of $259 million in state funds to match the federal funding."

"Furthermore," the Governor added, "this project will create about 13,000 construction-related jobs and produce important environmental energy and economic benefits. For communities in the region, the project will offer employment opportunities and serve as a catalyst for new transit-oriented development. It will also support what will be one of the most robust transportation networks in the country – connecting to regional commuter and high-speed trains, Bradley International Airport and the New Britain-Hartford Busway."

The FRA has already awarded two grants to Connecticut for Phases 1 and 2 of the NHHS project, totaling $160.9 million and Connecticut has matched that with $161 million in state bond funds. This application is for Phase 3, which will complete the necessary improvements between Hartford and Springfield.

Plans include service every 30 minutes during peak rush-hour periods and every 60 minutes during the rest of the day. Projections anticipate 1.26 million riders annually on the NHHS line by 2030.

The state expects to complete all design work on the project in 2013 and launch the new service in 2016.

Amtrak seeks $1.3B in funding for Gateway project on NEC

Amtrak is applying for nearly $1.3 billion in recently available high-speed and intercity passenger rail federal funding to move forward with a series of infrastructure improvements — including the Gateway Project –as critical first steps to bring next-generation high-speed rail to the Northeast Corridor.

"The Northeast Corridor is a premier region in the country to advance the nation’s high-speed rail program," said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. "The Gateway Project improvements to increase passenger rail capacity and access into the heart of Manhattan are absolutely essential to make next-generation high-speed rail a reality."

A recent decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation to name the NEC a federally designated high-speed rail corridor allows Amtrak to apply directly for this funding.

Specifically, Amtrak is requesting funding for three Gateway projects including a $720 million project to replace the more than 100-year-old movable Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a new, high-level fixed bridge. The Amtrak request is for $570 million with a contribution from the State of New Jersey of up to $150 million.

Amtrak is also asking for $188 million for preliminary engineering and environmental analysis for two new tunnels under the Hudson River into Manhattan with related infrastructure improvements and $50 million for similar work for the development of a new Penn Station South facility to accommodate more tracks and platforms in downtown New York.

Boardman emphasized that the Gateway Project is key for the future growth and economic development of the entire NEC region. The project will benefit Amtrak passengers traveling north to New York from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Delaware as well as riders from New England states who are traveling to destinations south of New York. He also said the Gateway Project is the cornerstone from which Amtrak intends to build a new, two-track 220 mph next-generation high(er)-speed rail system.

In addition, Amtrak is asking for $450 million for a project to support capacity increases and improve trip times between Philadelphia and New York- one of the busiest segments on the NEC. The project is designed to upgrade electrical power, signal systems and overhead catenary wires in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to improve reliability, increase speeds up to 160 mph and support more frequent high-speed service. It also will reconfigure track switches at the western entrance to New York Penn Station to mitigate congestion issues.

Amtrak also is applying for $15 million for the necessary environmental and preliminary engineering design to examine replacement options for the more than 100-year-old, low-level movable Pelham Bay Bridge over the Hutchinson River in the Bronx on the Hell Gate Line that connects New York to New England. The goal is for a new bridge to support expanded service and speeds up to 110 mph.