Despite the national meager
economic outlook, Levelland, Texas is on the right track for big business.
Literally. After voting unanimously just over one year ago to commit $1.5
million to build an Industrial Rail Park in the 12,866-population town, the
Levelland Economic Development Corporation’s vision has begun to be realized.
Work crews with heavy
equipment were busy Nov. 3 repairing the historic Piedmont & Northern Railroad
off of Ozark Avenue in Gastonia, but while the restoration of the rail line is
moving ahead, the project’s bottom line still has obstacles to overcome,
according to the Gaston Gazette.
With
the release of new Strategic Guidance and the FY 2010-2014 Five Year Financial
Plan, Amtrak aims to continue the solid ridership growth seen in recent years
and position itself to maximize this historic moment in federal and state
support for more passenger rail service, including for the development of
high-speed rail corridors.
A year after Congress told
federal regulators to issue $20 million in grants to help short line railroads
recover from storm damages, the Federal Railroad Administration is ready to
make the final $5 million of those funds available, the Journal of Commerce
reported.
Citing a overwhelming number of applications, the Federal Railroad Administration has made a change to the ARRA (American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) high speed rail grant program,
announcing that it expects to award grants this winter, rather than in several rounds.
The OneRail Coalition
last week sent a letter (see below) to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman
Patty Murray urging increased support for railroad investment in H.R. 3288, the
FY2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.
The federal Surface
Transportation Board has completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement for
the Alaska Railroad Corporation application to construct and operate a rail
line between North Pole and Delta Junction. Known as the Northern Rail
Extension, the project would offer safe freight and passenger rail service to
communities southeast of North Pole; support agricultural, mining and
petrochemical industries; and provide year-round reliable access to military
training areas.
The U.S. Department of
Transportation received nearly 1,400 applications from all 50 states,
territories and the District of Columbia vying for a share of $1.5 billion the
department will award for innovative transportation projects that show
significant economic and environmental promise for the nation, a region, or
metropolitan area, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.
The State of Wisconsin has
authorized a total of $30.6 million in loans and grants to help construct,
preserve or upgrade rail-related facilities across the state, the Business
Journal of Milwaukee reports. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said 10 state awards as
part of overall efforts to support job growth and Wisconsin’s agricultural
economy.
Commissioners unanimously
agreed to spend about $25,000 to study what repairs are needed at the BNSF
Depot at Seventh and New Jersey streets, the Lawrence, Kan., Journal-World
reports. Commissioners agreed to hire Lawrence-based Hernly Associates to
conduct the assessment.
The V&T Railway
Commission was told Monday that the latest section of tracks begins going down
within the week, according to the Nevada Appeal. Project Engineer Ken Dorr said
this extension takes the tracks into the canyon above the Carson River which,
when completed, will be the most scenic part of the 17-mile ride between
Virginia City and Carson City, Nev.
Transportation Secretary
Ray LaHood announced that 13 grants totaling $189.8 million in Recovery Act
funds will go to improve state and local transit systems in the United States
while supporting the creation of jobs and providing much needed transportation
options for millions.
Peter Burling, chairman of
the Rail Transit Authority in New Hampshire, envisions a rail line running
between Boston and Concord, N.H., at speeds of up to 90 mph, the Concord
Monitor reports. The rail would carry Massachusetts shoppers to Nashua and
travelers to Manchester Airport. It would take sports fans to Celtics games and
workers to their jobs in Boston.
Provide more reliable
rail service. Eventually produce faster travel times. That’s exactly what the
Missouri Department of Transportation seeks to do in making applications for a
portion of $8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding set
aside for high-speed rail development.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said that the Federal Railroad Administration has received 278 pre-applications for grant funding totaling $102 billion. The money will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail competitive grant program.
“The response has been tremendous and shows that the country is ready for high-speed rail,” Secretary LaHood said. “It’s time to look beyond our highways and invest in public transportation services like rail, which will enhance regional mobility and reduce our carbon footprint.”
Pre-applications by region:
Northeast
Total Number of Pre-applications Submitted: 79
Total Requested Funds: $35 billion
South/Southeast
Total Number of Pre-applications Submitted: 44
Total Requested Funds: $16 billion
Midwest
Total Number of Pre-applications Submitted: 47
Total Requested Funds: $13 billion
West
Total Number of Pre-applications Submitted: 108
Total Requested Funds: $38 billion
Forty states and the District of Columbia filed pre-applications. While not all proposed projects can be funded, the Department will work with states and regions to identify priorities and prepare for ongoing high-speed passenger rail development.
Congress passed the Recovery Act, which included an $8-billion competitive grant program as a down payment to develop high-speed and intercity passenger rail networks. The President has proposed a continuing $1-billion annual investment to further this effort.
The Department of Transportation issued a strategic plan for high-speed rail in April 2009, followed by guidelines for states and groups of states to apply for the economic recovery money in June 2009. The Department expects to announce the first round of merit-based grants in the fall.
The final application deadline is August 24 for funding on individual projects and planning, and October 2 for corridor programs.
The celebration will include a display of about 45 North American Rail Car Operators Association motorcars during an open house at the Harsco facility in Fairmont. The 45 restored cars were originally built at the Fairmont plant and shipped to railroads around the United States and Canada.
