Salt Lake City – Mid Jordan LRT

Advanced Payment: $20,623,000

The 10.6-mile Mid-Jordan LRT project will join with the Utah Transit Authority’s Sandy/Salt Lake TRAX Line at the existing Fashion Place West station, providing a direct connection to the Salt Lake City central business district, the University of Utah, and other Wasatch destinations. When complete, the project will include nine stations, more than 3,000 park-and-ride spaces, and 28 transit vehicles. Trains are expected to operate daily between 6 a.m. and midnight with service every 12 minutes during weekday peak periods, and every 15 minutes during the remainder of the time. The line is expected to carry 9,500 daily passengers by the year 2030 and reduce the number of highway miles traveled by 65,000 daily. The project will cost a total of $535.4 million, with a federal New Starts share of $428.3 million.

 

Weber County/Salt Lake City, UT – Commuter Rail

Advanced Payment: $16,500,000

This 44-mile, eight-station commuter rail project known as FrontRunner North began service in April 2008, providing the areas of Pleasant View, Ogden, Clearfield, Layton, and Bountiful with direct commuter rail access to downtown Salt Lake City. The line currently has more than 5,100 daily riders, and is expected to serve nearly 12,000 weekday riders by 2025. The project will cost a total of $611.7 million, with a federal New Starts Share of $489.4 million.

 

It sounds like the Wasatch Front is turning into a good place for rail transit.  The SLC system is expanding AND they are building that system  up to Ogden. 

 

There used to be an interurban that ran fairly late (post WWII era?) between SLC and Ogden, so the area seems to lend itself, geographically speaking, to this kind of transport, being a "linear city" of sorts, squeezed between the mountains the the lake and salt deserts. 

 

 

Growing Movement To Save Caltrain From Potentially Devastating Cuts

by Aaron Bialick on January 25, 2011

 

The mobility of Caltrain’s 40,000 daily riders on the Peninsula and the South Bay could drastically suffer under deep service cuts being considered to close a $30 million budget gap, but a movement to get the commuter rail service agency out of the red and on a path toward long-term sustainability is gaining momentum.

 

“Everyone says it’s ironic, because it really is one of the best performing transit agencies in the whole Bay Area, but it’s the one potentially in the most trouble because we lack any dedicated funding,” said Yoriko Kishimoto, a Palo Alto councilmember and Friends of Caltrain organizer.

 

Last Friday, a summit brought together a number of transportation officials, advocates, neighborhood groups, riders and public officials hoping to rescue Caltrain. This Saturday, Friends of Caltrain, a “grassroots coalition of cities, neighborhood groups, employers, environmental groups, transit advocates and, most importantly, residents and transit riders” in the Bay Area, are helping to organize the “Save Our Caltrain!” Summit to address the agency’s lack of dedicated regional funding.

 

Read more at: http://sf.streetsblog.org/2011/01/25/growing-movement-to-save-caltrain-from-potentially-devastating-cuts/

While Ohio mourns....Maine builds and develops....

 

Authority will study downtown train depot

Portland officials are hopeful that a station on Commercial Street would spur development.

By Edward D. Murphy [email protected]

Staff Writer

 

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority expects to begin a study this spring of proposals to relocate the Portland train station, shorten trip lengths and add more daily runs between Brunswick, Portland and Boston and others.

 

Patricia Quinn, executive director of the authority, said she expects the study to take about a year because of its complexity. Most of the funding comes from a federal grant.

 

Once it's done, the authority will use it to help craft spending plans and as a support document for grant applications.

 

Full story at: http://www.pressherald.com/news/authority-will-study-downtown-train-depot_2011-01-27.html

Across the lakes, big things continue to happen....

 

January 27, 2011

GO Transit approved for phased electrification of rail corridors

 

The board of Toronto-based Metrolinx approved the staff recommendation to begin electrification of the Lakeshore and Georgetown GO Transit rail corridors, with the new Air Rail Link (ARL) as the first phase.

 

"Electrification will provide important transportation benefits to our current and future riders," said Metrolinx Chair Rob Prichard. "Electrification is an essential step toward the long-term vision of Express Rail laid out in The Big Move." 

 

The year-long study recently completed by Metrolinx revealed important transportation benefits associated with electrification, and these benefits would increase over time and as service levels increase. These benefits include shorter travel times for riders and lower operating costs.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2011/01/GO-Transit-approved-for-phased-electrification-of-rail-corridors.aspx?ref=MetroExpress-20110127

New Joyzee tells Uncle Sam to Fugheddaboutit......

 

January 27, 2011

N.J. refuses to pay feds $271M for ARC tunnel bill

 

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told the FTA Tuesday night that he would refuse the agency's demand to have the state pay $271 million for early work done on the cancelled trans-Hudson ARC Tunnel, reported WYNC.  The submission to the FTA, filed Tuesday by Washington, D.C., law firm Patton Boggs, argues no repayment is required because the project was cancelled for reasons beyond the New Jersey Transit's control, which was overseeing the project.

 

To read the full story, click here...

http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2011/jan/26/nj-would-rather-fight-pay-271-million-feds-axeing-arc-tunnel/

Branstad: No state role in new rail service

by Steve Gravelle  ::  UPDATED: 28 January 2011 | 6:01 am

 

CEDAR RAPIDS — Gov. Terry Branstad has all but ruled out state support for an Iowa City-Chicago Amtrak service.

 

“I don’t want to get into the operating-subsidy business,” Branstad told The Gazette’s Editorial Board during a meeting Thursday in Cedar Rapids after he unveiled his budget plan. “It’s a slippery slope.”

 

Plans for the train supporters call the Chicago Flyer have been under way about two years. The Federal Railroad Administration allocated $230 million to the project last fall for capital costs, leaving Iowa and Illinois to come up with the balance. The projected total cost is $310 million.

 

Full story at: http://thegazette.com/2011/01/28/branstad-no-state-role-in-new-rail-service/

Dear Gov. Branstad, you like many others are a highway hypocrite.......

http://www.iowapirg.org/newsroom/more-news/more-news/myth-busted-road-costs-not-covered-by-gas-taxes

 

For Immediate Release:

Contact:

Sonia Ashe

(218) 387‐4220

A News Release

Myth Busted: Road Costs Not Covered by Gas Taxes

 

Des Moines, IA – A new report released today by the Iowa Public Interest Research Group disproves the common misperception that road building is paid for by user fees. The report, ‘Do Roads Pay for Themselves?’ finds that gas taxes cover barely half the costs of building and maintaining roads, and can be expected to cover an increasingly smaller percentage over time.

 

Among the findings of the report:

 

• Federal gasoline taxes were originally intended for debt relief, not roads.

 

• Highways, roads and streets have received more than $600 billion in subsidies over the last 63 years in excess of the amount raised through gasoline taxes.

 

• The amount of money a particular driver pays in gasoline taxes bears little relationship to his or her use of roads funded by gas taxes. Drivers pay gasoline taxes for the miles they drive on local streets and roads, even though those proceeds are typically used to pay for state and federal highways.

 

• Iowa’s gas taxes are partly offset by subsidies that exempt gasoline from sales taxes.

 

“Here in Iowa our state gas taxes can only be spent on highways. The road lobby promotes the idea that highways therefore pay for themselves, but the truth is that general taxes still massively subsidize our roads,” said Sonia Ashe of Iowa PIRG, “By earmarking those transportation funds based on false premises, our tax dollars don’t necessarily go where the needs and benefits are greatest.” Currently, many rural communities in Iowa have been forced to abandon road pavement projects due to lack of funding.

 

We have also heard from Governor Branstad that the question of funding for a high‐speed rail that is projected to bring more than 800 jobs to Iowa is still up in the air. This year, Congress will address funding for the nation’s Highway Trust Fund again, which has been bailed out four times with $35 billion from general funds since 2008.

 

Federal gas taxes have not increased since 1993 and revenues are expected to remain flat as Americans continue to drive less and use more fuel‐efficient cars. “Highway advocates often wrongly portray highway spending as financially conservative by falsely portraying gas taxes as “user fees” that pay for roads,” said Ashe. “It’s time to have some difficult debates about how we pay for transportation, and what our transportation goals are for the future.”

 

###

1/28/2011

Amtrak to relocate Denver station during FasTracks-related construction

 

Beginning Feb. 1, Amtrak will relocate from Denver Union Station to a site west of Coors Field in the downtown area to accommodate construction of a new commuter-rail station that will serve Amtrak and the East, Gold, North Metro and Northwest Rail commuter lines.

 

When the project is completed, Denver Union Station will be the "centerpiece" of the Regional Transportation District's (RTD) FasTracks program and will serve as a multi-modal hub for the region, Amtrak and RTD officials said in a prepared statement. Plans call for Amtrak to return to Union Station in 2014.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/Amtrak-to-relocate-Denver-station-during-FasTracksrelated-construction--25621

http://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/press-releases/234.shtml

 

News Digest: Pennsylvania Receives $750,000 Grant to Study Keystone Corridor Expansion

 

U.S.Department of Transportation

Office of Public Affairs

Washington, D.C.

www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm

News Digest

 

 

FRA 01/12

Friday, January 28, 2011

 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has provided a $750,000 High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program grant to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to study the expansion of Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh. Passenger trains on the Keystone Corridor currently operate at 110 mph between New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, and have seen ridership grow from 891,764 passengers in 2006 to 1,296,838 last year. The study will evaluate the feasibility of electrifying track between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, construction of dedicated tracks for passenger trains and major signal and switch improvements. The study will also evaluate installation of concrete ties, procurement of new passenger cars and alternative route alignments. The FRA grant is from FRA’s fiscal year 2009 Intercity Passenger Rail appropriation with a 50 percent state match requirement from Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation. Media contact: Rob Kulat (202) 493-6024.

 

####

Can diesel trains run on tracks that have electrified-catenary-wires above?  I would expect so.

 

This bit from the Iowa story was insightful: • The amount of money a particular driver pays in gasoline taxes bears little relationship to his or her use of roads funded by gas taxes. Drivers pay gasoline taxes for the miles they drive on local streets and roads, even though those proceeds are typically used to pay for state and federal highways.

 

Can diesel trains run on tracks that have electrified-catenary-wires above? I would expect so.

 

 

Yes:

There's a few diesels in this one:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Pennsylvania RR have diesel locomotives modified to pull electric current when running on electrified lines to power the electric motors in the loco? Maybe I'm wrong but I thought I saw this somewhere.

New York Central did. They were called the FL9 series were later operated by Amtrak and MetroNorth well into the 1990s. They had "shoes" for picking up electricity from a third rail.

 

There were replaced by another diesel locomotive equipped with third-rail shoes called the Genesis P32AC-DM, made by GE. The DM stands for Dual Mode (the P is for Passenger, 32 is for its 3200 horsepower, and the AC is Alternating Current). Amtrak and MetroNorth use these locomotives on the rail lines north of New York City.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MNR_P32_Tremont.JPG

New York Central did. They were called the FL9 series were later operated by Amtrak and MetroNorth well into the 1990s. They had "shoes" for picking up electricity from a third rail.

 

There were replaced by another diesel locomotive equipped with third-rail shoes called the Genesis P32AC-DM, made by GE. The DM stands for Dual Mode (the P is for Passenger, 32 is for its 3200 horsepower, and the AC is Alternating Current). Amtrak and MetroNorth use these locomotives on the rail lines north of New York City.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MNR_P32_Tremont.JPG

 

The FL-9's were actually used by the New Haven Railroad between NYC and New Haven because they could run on diesel east of New Haven or electricity (via 3rd rail) west to NYC.  Wasn't aware the New York Central also used them.

Nooz, you are correct! All 60 FL9 units were ordered by the New Haven. Some were then distributed for use on third-rail equipped former NYC lines out of Grand Central after the New Haven was merged with the NYC and PRR in 1969.

MetroNorth was still running FL9's into 2008-2009.  I think they still keep some in reserve...  talk about getting their money's worth!

Iowa DOT Says Iowa City Train Could Still Find State Backing

 

By Richard Pratt

January 28, 2011

 

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Gov. Terry Branstad says the state won’t subsidize operation of a new Chicago-Iowa City passenger rail service, but that may depend on how you define ”subsidy.”

 

“We are looking at all the options,” said Tammy Nicholson, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s office of rail transportation.m “The DOT can and will continue to work on developing the Chicago to Iowa City corridor.”

 

Iowa and Illinois would share operating costs not covered by passenger fares. Iowa’s annual share is estimated at $3 million. Although Branstad has said he doesn’t want the state “getting into the operating-subsidy business” for the twice-daily trains that would begin running in 2015, he hasn’t withdrawn $11.5 million in state money through July 2013 for planning and early capital improvements needed before the trains can roll.

 

Originally printed at http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-DOT-Says-Iowa-City-Train-Could-Still-Find-State-Backing-114822834.html

 

Florida governor freezes SunRail funding

Monday, January 31, 2011

 

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has upset the implementation schedule for central Florida’s planned SunRail regional passenger rail service, by freezing state funding intended for the project.

 

The move comes as the state’s new Office of Fiscal Accountability reviews all contracts worth more than $1 million.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/florida-governor-freezes-sunrail-funding.html

Jacksonville to Miami Amtrak route not dead yet

BY REBECCA BASU • FLORIDA TODAY • February 1, 2011

 

After being passed over twice for stimulus funding, the state has budgeted $118 million next year to develop the Amtrak Jacksonville-to-Miami route.

 

Money would pay for stations and rail improvements on Florida East Coast tracks. The proposed 90-mph Amtrak train would travel along a Jacksonville-Miami route, spanning about 350 miles. Eight stations along the route, including one each in Cocoa, Melbourne and Titusville, are planned.

 

But it's far from a done deal. State funds only will be available if Amtrak provides matching funds. The estimated project cost is $250 million.

 

Read more at: http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110201/NEWS01/102010312/1006/Amtrak+route+gets+new+life+from+state

What's interesting about this is that this commuter operation is actually contracted out to a freight railroad to operate its trains.....

 

TriMet's WES commuter rail marks second year with more riders

 

Annual ridership on Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon's (TriMet) WES commuter-rail line increased 15 percent to more than 340,000 total trips in 2010, the service’s second year of operation. TriMet marked WES' second anniversary on Feb. 2.

 

Weekday trips rose 14 percent last year to 1,325 and weekly trips jumped 14 percent to 6,625 compared with 2009.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/TriMets-WES-commuter-rail-marks-second-year-with-more-riders--25693

If this enables Amtrak's NextGen high-speed rail plan for the NEC, then I'm all for it!

 

N.J. senators, Amtrak official to announce new commuter train tunnel project across the Hudson

Updated: Monday, February 07, 2011, 7:52 AM

By Mike Frassinelli/The Star-Ledger

 

TRENTON — Amtrak’s top executive and New Jersey’s two U.S. senators Monday are expected to announce an alternative to the Hudson River commuter-train tunnel that was killed by Gov. Chris Christie in October.

 

The "Gateway" tunnel proposed by Amtrak would largely follow the same footprint as the canceled nine-mile Access to the Region’s Core tunnel from Secaucus to New York City, but connect to new tracks in an expanded New York Penn Station instead of dead-ending deep under West 34th Street, representatives for U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez said tonight.

 

Detractors referred to ARC as the "tunnel to Macy’s basement" for its proximity to the landmark department store and supposed lack of connectivity to other transit hubs in Manhattan.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/nj_senators_to_announce_new_co.html

Wow, of all places, Kentucky.  Instead of 3C how about 2Ls and F....

 

Riding the Rails: Transit Plan Unveiled

 

If Ralph Tharp, Frankfort’s new industrial recruiter, had his wish, commuters in Louisville, Lexington and locally could be traveling to work next year in double-decker trains with leather seats and Wi-Fi access.

 

He is championing a rapid transit commuter rail system with 11 stations in Lexington, Louisville, Shelbyville, Midway and Frankfort.

 

Tharp, executive director of the Kentucky Capital Development Corporation, estimates the project could cost as little as $75 million and be completed by October 2012.

 

...proposed name: Thoroughbred Rail Link

 

It would be sort of embarassing if Kentucky actually does execute this plan, considering how backward Ohioans think KY is...

 

 

Ohioans would have a big WTF moment, for sure. Also, Louisville would be positioned to be the entrance to the south from Chicago. In other words, a route like Cincinnati-Atlanta becomes quite unlikely.

Though, a LFL corridor is so much smaller than anything Ohio would have to build. Ideally, it might be a good kick in the pants for a Dayton-Cincinnati-Covington-Lexington service, ideally on the Cincinnati Southern rail line.

Check out these pictures of a proposed casino train to link Los Angeles with Las Vegas......

 

 

 

 

 

READ MORE AT:

http://archiquality.blogspot.com/2010/07/luxury-train-will-connect-las-vegas-to.html

This was killed BEFORE the bids from private consortia were due to be received!! So another governor in a presidential swing state rejects Obama's HSR money using false arguments motivated by politics, ideology and fear. Next, this coordinated, strategic attack by hard-line conservatives (Reason Foundation, Heritage, Cato, etc) will focus on killing California's HSR program. America has no transportation infrastructure reinvestment tools to grow America out of the recession. In an era of peak oil and rising fuel prices, highway and aviation will not be able to lead us out....

 

 

 

Florida governor rejects US high-speed rail funds

Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:27am EST

 

Feb 16 (Reuters) - Florida's Tea Party movement-backed Governor Rick Scott on Wednesday said he was rejecting federal funds to construct a high-speed railway project in the state.

 

"Government cannot spend more than it takes in," the Republican governor said.

 

Scott spoke at a news conference in the state capital, where he strongly criticized the budget proposal for 2012 unveiled on Monday by President Barack Obama and said federal grants earmarked for Florida to begin work on a high-speed rail link between Tampa and Orlando would be rejected.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/16/florida-rail-idUSN1629082420110216

Seems like it would be timely for some other state to propose a true HSR alternative.

These rural interest controlled states are out of control. It's time for municipalities to take the reigns and work with the feds to get things done.

Interesting that Gov. Scott's decision has now pitted him against a fellow Republican, Congressman Mica (also of Florida), who is a huge proponent of high-speed rail.  Ooooooo.....now this is a fight I'd pay good money to see.

 

latimes.com

Rick Scott rejects money for Orlando-Tampa high-speed rail

By Aaron Deslatte and Dan Tracy, Orlando Sentinel

8:54 AM PST, February 16, 2011

 

 

TALLAHASSEE — Republican Gov. Rick Scott rejected Wednesday $2.4 billion in federal stimulus money to build a high-speed train between Orlando and Tampa, baffling supporters who already had spent $66 million getting ready for the project.

Scott made the announcement in a hastily called news conference at which he denounced President Barack Obama's proposed federal budget.

"You don't have to be an economic expert to know when you spend more money than you take in, you will fail," said Scott, who prefaced his remarks by criticizing the spending priorities of the Obama administration.

Scott's decision likely means those dollars will be rerouted to California and other states investing in a high-speed rail network that Obama has likened to the national highway system.

 

Full story at: latimes.com/news/politics/os-scott-rejects-rail-money-20110216,0,6092680.story

Official news release from the State of Washington:

 

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/16_AddlHSRFunds.htm

 

Washington state to feds: We're ready to put Florida rail money to work

 

Date:  Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Contact: Scott Witt, State Rail and Marine Office 250-705-6903

Melanie Coon, WSDOT Rail Communications - 360-705-7905

 

OLYMPIA – Federal high-speed-rail stimulus funds rejected by Florida could be well spent in Washington on the vital Amtrak Cascades corridor stretching from Oregon to British Columbia, Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said today.

 

The governor of Florida today announced his state’s rejection of $2.4 billion in high-speed-rail stimulus funding.

 

“I’ve said many times, if other states don’t want this funding, Washington state is ready to put it to work,” Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “We’ve been committed to expanding and improving high-speed passenger rail not just to increase convenience for passengers, but to promote Washington state as a great place to visit and live. These rail lines take cars off our roads while moving workers and tourists between Seattle, Portland and Vancouver, B.C. These federal funds are an investment in our economy, and support hundreds of construction and operating jobs in our state.”

 

In early 2010, Washington was selected to receive $590 in federal high-speed-rail funding, part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants, administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). That was followed by an additional $161.5 million in Recovery Act funds redirected from Ohio and Wisconsin.

 

The additional funding could be applied to eligible projects in the Washington State Department of Transportation’s original 2009 Recovery Act application. The additional project work would result in added round trips between Portland and Seattle, improved schedule reliability and reduced travel times throughout the corridor. The cost of these projects in the original application was estimated at $539 million.

 

“These projects will boost rail-line capacity and relieve main-line congestion, as well as improve track quality, reliability and passengers’ rides,” said Hammond. “We will work with FRA to determine which projects should receive additional funding, based on the direct benefits to high-speed intercity passenger rail.”

 

Washington state strongly supports high-speed rail, as evidenced by its record-breaking ridership this year on the Pacific Northwest rail corridor. Amtrak Cascades ridership was up 10 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. The second train to Vancouver, B.C., which began in August 2009 and will continue at least through October 2011, was a major factor in the growing popularity of Amtrak Cascades.

These governors turning down thousands of jobs in their states during a time of high unemployment should be getting absolutely MASSACRED by the opposing party. If you can't win that argument in these dire times, there is something extremely wrong. The opposition should be screaming relentlessly from the rooftops about these deliberate decisions that preclude their own citizens from employment opportunities.

These governors turning down thousands of jobs in their states during a time of high unemployment should be getting absolutely MASSACRED by the opposing party.

 

Look at what is happening in Wisconsin. People want less of a deficit with no increases in taxes. The conservatives are hoping that the economy won't improve in 2012 and that will be the end of the administration. What they don't get is that given their way, it will actually get much worse. And they'll be remembered for it.

 

 

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/16_AddlHSRFunds.htm

 

Washington state to feds: We're ready to put Florida rail money to work

 

 

Good for Washington.  Higher gas prices are coming... Let Florida shoot itself in the foot... (and Ohio and Wisconsin...)

 

These governors turning down thousands of jobs in their states during a time of high unemployment should be getting absolutely MASSACRED by the opposing party. If you can't win that argument in these dire times, there is something extremely wrong. The opposition should be screaming relentlessly from the rooftops about these deliberate decisions that preclude their own citizens from employment opportunities.

 

The Democrats could have really turned the tables on the Repubs on this issue last year, but they  were (and still are) too timid and impotent to do so.  The Ohio Democratic Party is among the most spineless and impotent around. 

 

Whatever you may think of Paul Krugman, he had a good column yesterday about the cognitive disconnect with voters about spending, what to cut, and what will actually balance the budget.  Long story short, people supported cuts to things that would have a negligible effect on budgets-- like pay and benefits for public employees, but didn't want cuts in most programs where considerably more money is at stake and were evenly split on defense spending. 

That Florida Tampa/Orlando run was supposed to be the closest to HSR of the various proposals.  Too bad!

 

@@@

 

About the Kentucky proposal:

 

Though, a LFL corridor is so much smaller than anything Ohio would have to build. Ideally, it might be a good kick in the pants for a Dayton-Cincinnati-Covington-Lexington service, ideally on the Cincinnati Southern rail line.

 

I think the Cincy-Lex-Chattanooga run still makes more sense for a route to Atlanta.  But why not just fly to Atlanta.  Atlanta is far enough for a reasonable air flight.

 

BTW, passenger rail was studied once before in Kentucky, if I recall right.  A big proposal to set up a triangular passenger service between Louisville, Lexington, and Northern KY (AKA 'Cincinnati'), but the price tag was huge and the plan dropped.

 

This Lexington/Frankfort/Louisville thing might be more achievable, but I'd be really suprised if they pull it off, considering how conservative KY is.

 

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/high-speed-rail-lahood-scott_n_824596.html

White House Looking For Ways To Bypass Governor Who Rejected Funds For High-Speed Rail

WASHINGTON -- Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is expected to meet with Florida's congressional delegation Thursday afternoon in an effort to circumvent Gov. Rick's Scott's rejection of $2 billion in federal funds for a state high-speed rail project

 

 

Those governors are completely missing the point of the last election.  People want jobs and with the other cut backs the states will be facing, rejecting HSR funds is going to look like an incredibly stupid decision. Part of the reason that the Obama administration is pushing Florida is it was so far along to begin with and, therefore, likely to serve as a model for what might be done, elsewhere.

 

It should be remembered that Scott presided over the company that defrauded the Federal Government of over $600 million.

 

Mica, others working to save Florida's high-speed rail

Scott veto could end hopes for fast rail to Jacksonville

Posted: February 16, 2011 - 11:42pm

By LARRY HANNAN

 

Supporters of high-speed rail in Florida are scrambling to salvage a planned link between Tampa and Orlando after Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday he was rejecting $2.4 billion in federal money for the project.

 

The rejection drew swift condemnation from most Democrats and some Republicans.

 

State officials had hoped to expand high-speed rail to Jacksonville by following either the CSX rail line or interstates 4 and 95. But the Tampa-to-Orlando and Orlando-to-Miami links had to be built first.

 

Read more at:

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2011-02-16/mica-others-working-save-floridas-high-speed-rail

 

and from the West Coast.....

 

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-high-speed-funding-20110217,0,7048146,print.story

 

latimes.com

California bullet train backers want funds that Florida shunned

Florida Gov. Rick Scott rejected $2.4 billion in federal funds for a proposed high-speed line between Orlando and Tampa. Brown, Feinstein and Boxer say California would welcome the additional money.

 

By Rich Connell, Los Angeles Times

February 17, 2011

 

California bullet train supporters began angling Wednesday for a sizeable share of $2.4 billion in federal high-speed rail funding that Florida Gov. Rick Scott rejected.

 

Scott, a Republican, told reporters he didn't believe projections for a proposed high-speed train between Orlando and Tampa and feared Florida taxpayers would end up having to subsidize the service.

 

The Obama administration, which has made high-speed rail development a signature initiative, said after Scott's announcement that it will consider redistributing the stimulus funds to states that are proceeding with new, high-tech rail systems.

 

Maybe if Kentucky went w/ coal fired trains, then Big Coal could get behind these lines.

This is what I hoped Ohio communities would do to save 3C's funds, but most were scared of upsetting the new governor. Sometimes you have to step up for what's right, even if it means short-term pain.....

 

 

Mica and Nelson try to save high-speed rail plans

By William Gibson February 17, 2011 01:02 PM

 

Florida members of Congress struggled on Thursday to preserve plans to develop high-speed rail service in their state despite Governor Rick Scott’s startling decision to refuse more than $2.4 billion of federal seed money.

 

Florida Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat, reported that a metropolitan planning group in Tampa and a rail authority in South Florida have volunteered to replace the state as recipient of the money and overseer of the project. The so-called bullet train would link major cities in the state, starting with a line between Orlando and Tampa.

 

Nelson plans to meet with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and other Florida members of Congress Thursday afternoon to discuss these prospects, while lawyers take a look at alternative plans.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/dcblog/2011/02/mica_and_nelson_try_to_save_hi_1.html

A political cartoon.....

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/21/2078148/22211.html

More Sacramento Area Residents Commuting To Bay Area By Train

 

California Public Radio

 

Read & Listen at: http://www.capradio.org/articles/2011/02/21/more-sacramento-area-residents-commuting-to-bay-area-by-train

Here's what our new Portal Bridge will look like , the whole project will be competed in 2017 and include new Flyovers , Ramps , 2 New Bridges , and connections to a New Yard.....construction on the Embankments is starting...

 

New Portal Bridge by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

Check out these pictures of a proposed casino train to link Los Angeles with Las Vegas......

 

 

 

 

 

READ MORE AT:

http://archiquality.blogspot.com/2010/07/luxury-train-will-connect-las-vegas-to.html

 

Haw, that kind of reminds me of when city slickers would bring a semi full of gambling equipment to Hazzard County and drive around with people gambling in the back. The gambling train is actually a concept that could turn a profit, though if it happened in Ohio, the current leadership would tell us that we had to do the semi thing.

A Detailed NE Rail system

LIRR

Location : Long Island and Manhattan

Daily Ridership : 341,000 (Projected 2030 Daily Ridership : 570,000+)

System size : 700+ mi

Stations : 124

Future upgrades / Expansions : Wading River line Restoration , Central Branch , Montauk Branch , Port Jefferson Branch Electrification , East Side Access Project , City Core Rail line , Sunset Park line

 

NJT Regional Rail

Location : New Jersey , Rockland and Orange counties NY

Daily Ridership : 330,000 (Projected 2030 Daily Ridership : 750,000+)

System size : 536 mi

Stations : 162 stations

Future Upgrades / Expansions : Flemington line , West Trenton line , Cape May line , Toms River line , Freehold line , Lehigh Valley line , Philpsburg Extension of the Morristown line , Lackawanna line , Pompton line , Sparta line , 5 New Transfer Stations ,more Electrification

 

MNRR

Location : Northern NYC Suburbs and Connecticut

Daily Ridership : 287,000 (Projected 2030 Daily Ridership : 620,000+)

System size : 156 mi

Stations : 120

Future upgrades / Expansions : MNRR expansion to Penn Station of the Hudson and New Haven lines , West Shore line , Restoration of the Graham & Beacon lines

MBTA Regional Rail

Location : Eastern Massachusetts , Northern Rhode Island

Daily Ridership : 130,000 (Projected 2030 Daily Ridership : 642,000+)

System size : 368 mi

Stations : 132

Future Upgrades / Expansions : Restoration of Cape Cod , Newport / Fall River line , New Bedford line , Greenfield line , Concord line , Portsmouth / Newburyport line , Manchester / Lawrence line.... North - South Tunnel , Ayer line , Electrified lines

 

Septa Regional Rail

Location : Southeastern PA , Northern Delaware , and Southern Jersey

Daily Ridership : 121,000 (Projected 2030 Daily Ridership : 370,000+)

System size : 450 mi

Stations : 150

Future Upgrades / Expansions : Restoration of West Chester , Reading , Allentown , Stony Branch , Newton lines ....New lines , New Hope ,

Parkersburg Extension of the Thorndale line , Newark / Boothywn line , Coatesville line , Oxford lines

 

MARC Train

Location : Maryland

Daily Ridership : 33,000 (Projected 2030 Daily Ridership : 250,000)

System size : 187 mi

Stations : 43

Future Upgrades / Expansions : LA plata line and Extension of the Brunswick line to Hagerstorm , and Penn line Service to Wilmington , Warminster branch and Harrisburg lines

 

VRE Regional Rail

Location : Northern Virgina

Daily Ridership : 17,000 (Projected 2030 Ridership : 167,000)

System size : 90 mi

Stations : 18

Future Upgrades / Extensions : Haymarket , Culpepper , and Richmond lines

 

CT DOT Regional Rail

Location : Connecticut

Daily Ridership : 135,000 (Projected 2030 Ridership : 690,000)

System size : 32 mi

Stations : 185

Future Upgrades / Extensions : Danbury Electrification , Restoration of the Pittsfield line , Extension of Shoreline East to Westerly,RI , Restoration of the Central Manchester Branch , Restoration of the Waterbury - Hartford line , Restoration of Torrington Branch , Restoration of the Connecticut River branch , Restoration of the Middletown branch , Waterbury Branch upgrades , Restoration of the Thames River / Worcester line , Upgrades to the New Haven line and more stations.

 

RIDOT Regional Rail

Location : Rhode Island

Daily Ridership : Not Known

System size : 14 mi

Stations : 2

Future Upgrades and Extensions : Restoration of the Woonsocket line , Upgrades to the Northeast Corridor (4 tracking) , Restoration of Cape Cod line , Fall River / Newport line , Central RI Amtrak Re-router line.

 

Amtrak Northeastern Divison

Location : Northeastern US

Daily Ridership : 50,000 (Projected 2030 ridership : 520,000)

System size : 2395 mi

Stations : 130

Future Upgrades and Extensions : Lackawanna Corridor , Lehigh Corridor , New Northeast Corridor , New Vermonter route , Downstate Delaware route , Elmira Connection , I-90 High Speed Rail corridor , New Haven - Springfield Intercity Rail corridor , Cape Cod Express , Downeaster extension to Brunswick , Lewiston and Bangor , Upgrades to All Northeast Corridor stations and other lines.

 

Northeastern Network 2030 Regional Rail Ridership.... 6.5 million

latimes.com

L.A. County transit authority buys Union Station for $75 million

The deal for the national landmark built in 1939 includes 38 acres and development rights to 5.9 million square feet of property around the station. It clears the way for the expansion of transit operations.

By Dan Weikel, Los Angeles Times

 

February 25, 2011

 

Los Angeles County transportation officials approved an agreement Thursday to buy historic Union Station in downtown L.A. for $75 million — a purchase that will clear the way for the expansion of transit operations and new development on the property.

 

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board decided to buy the rail hub from Catellus Operating Limited Partnership, which is owned by ProLogis based in Colorado. The deal, which is expected to close in 30 days, includes 38 acres and development rights to 5.9 million square feet of property around the station.

 

"Union Station is absolutely critical to the current and future mobility of our region," said county Supervisor Don Knabe, chairman of the MTA board. "We now have the ability to retain the historic nature of Union Station and prepare it to serve as a world-class, 21st century transportation hub."

Read more at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-station-20110225,0,4987467.story

News release from the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

 

For Immediate Release

February 25, 2011

Contact: Tony Dorsey

[email protected]  202-624-3690

 

North Carolina Moves Ahead on Passenger Rail; DOT Secretary Seeks Private Investment

 

Washington, DC-It has been more than a year since President Barack Obama announced that 31 states and the District of Columbia would receive $8 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to plan, develop, and construct high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects in corridors across the country.

 

In a new Two Minute State DOT Update video, North Carolina Transportation Secretary Eugene Conti, chairman of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Standing Committee on Rail Transportation, says citizens are already enjoying the benefits of these investments in his state.

 

"The federal recovery act dollars have allowed us to make some big moves," Conti said. "We have a major passenger rail station under development in downtown Charlotte and, with additional investment in the way of public-private partnerships, we're convinced that the entire downtown area will be transformed."

 

In addition to stimulating the economy, Conti says passenger rail reduces traffic congestion and greenhouse-gas emissions and it also gives people more travel options. Ridership is up in the state. In FY 2010, the North Carolina state-owned Piedmont rail service, which is operated by Amtrak, had the largest percentage increase in ridership of any Amtrak rail line in the nation, 46%. Amtrak ridership increased six percent nationwide in FY 2010. In North Carolina, the increase Amtrak ridership was double that amount, 15%.

 

"We are pleased to see that more and more people are taking the train," Conti said. "We are confident that as we add more schedule options and increase travel speed, this trend will continue."

 

In January, AASHTO updated its High-Speed and Intercity Passenger rail website with information demonstrating how North Carolina DOT and other states are bringing a new era of passenger rail service to the United States. State DOTs are responsible for planning, building, and delivering high-speed and intercity passenger rail. They are working collaboratively with existing freight and passenger railroads as well as the Federal Railroad Administration to achieve success.

 

"North Carolina DOT has spent more than 15 years building its passenger rail program," Conti said. "As chairman of the Standing Committee on Rail Transportation, I've been working closely with AASHTO to share best practices with other states. We're doing the important work of building for both today and tomorrow."

 

Watch the full video and other Two Minute State DOT Updates at www.TransportationTV.org.

 

#####

 

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/aashtospeaks.

 

 

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Fla. governor affirms HSR rejection   

Friday, February 25, 2011 

 

Affirming his disdain for high speed rail, Florida Gov. Rick Scott late Thursday rejected a hastily arranged plan to rescue the state’s proposed 84-mile, $2.39 billion high speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando. The Republican governor’s move prompted angry reaction from state lawmakers, including some Republicans, who accused him of overstepping authority and threatened legal action.

 

Said Scott, “I remain convinced that the construction cost overruns, the operating cost risk, the risk that we would give the money back if it’s ever shut down, is too much for the taxpayers of the state.”

 

But State Sen. Thad Altman said he hoped Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood would grant Florida more time before reallocating the $2.4 billion to other states, in order to give the stage legislataure more time to devise an alternate plan, and so lawmakers can explore challenging the governor on constitutional grounds. “I believe that he exceeded his executive authority and in a very strong sense we have a constitutional crisis on our hands,” Altman said.

Read more at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/fla.-governor-affirms-hsr-rejection.html

A reprieve for high-speed rail in Florida?

 

(CNN) -- A proposed high-speed rail line in Florida may not be dead after all.Florida Gov. Rick Scott rejected $2.4 billion in federal funding last week for a high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando, but the project has not run off the tracks yet. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood met with Scott Friday morning to discuss the plan in an attempt to keep it alive.

 

Touting jobs the project would create and the potential economic growth for the state of Florida, LaHood said in a written statement that Scott "asked me for additional information about the state's role in this project, the responsibilities of the Florida Department of Transportation, as well as how the state would be protected from liability."

 

The Republican governor had cited potential cost overruns, long-term operating costs and questions about the projected use of the line as a reason for canceling the high-speed rail project.

Read more at: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/25/florida.high.speed.rail/index.html?hpt=T2

Rail Deal Clears Grant for Washington State

Accord allows Amtrak, state to spend $590 million in BNSF corridor

John D. Boyd | Feb 28, 2011 3:18PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

 

A new agreement signed by the Washington State Department of Transportation, BNSF Railway and Amtrak clears the way to spend $590 million of a federal grant to upgrade freight tracks for expanded passenger service.

 

The improvements will be to Amtrak's Cascades Corridor, which links the cities of Eugene and Portland, Ore., with Seattle, Wash. and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Projects it will fund include building bypass tracks to allow for increased train frequency, multiple upgrades to existing track, grade separations and advanced-warning signal systems. "This will reduce passenger/freight congestion, making passenger travel times shorter with more reliable on-time service," said the state DOT.

 

It comes in the same week that Florida's governor, Rick Scott, has taken steps to kill the nation's first bullet train project and turn down $2.4 billion in federal funds for it. The Cascades deal, like most others in the passenger rail program, puts money instead into freight-owned tracks to allow faster and more frequent Amtrak service in the shared lanes. Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has also said her state would want some of the money if Florida finally declines its funds.

 

Read more at: http://www.joc.com/rail-intermodal/rail-deal-clears-grant-washington-state

DOT gives Florida more time on HSR   

Monday, February 28, 2011 

 

In a move possibly reflecting Florida’s political significance, the Department of Transportation has extended by one week its deadline for a decision by the Sunshine State to use, or reject, federal funds for high speed rail.

 

Florida Gov. Rick Scott last Thursday reaffirmed his decision to reject federal HSR funding, but subsequent objections from several state legislators, many of them Republicans like Scott, generated enough political turmoil to prompt DOT to extend its deadline.

 

Read more at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/dot-gives-florida-more-time-on-hsr.html