arizona state rail plan aashto subcommittee on rail transportation september, 2010
TRANSCRIPT
ARIZONA STATE RAIL PLAN
AASHTOSubcommittee on Rail Transportation
September, 2010
ADOT Planning Process Evolution
Statewide Planning Process
3
Phoenix
Tucson
Nogales
Prescott
Yuma
Flagstaff
Source: Maricopa Association of Governments
Sun Corridor Megaregion Sun Corridor will
include 85% of state population by 2050 Two-thirds of housing
units yet to be built Half of the
Transportation Infrastructure to be built
Opportunity for new sustainable urban development paradigm
Southwest Transportation Network
Strong E-W connections
Connectivity with LA / Long Beach Ports
Need for better N-S network
Existing Rail Network
Two Class I Transcontinental Routes
Phoenix Metro Area served by Subdivisions
Connection to Mexico at Nogales
Rail Vision and Benefits Goals, Objectives, and Rail benefits
Inventory of Existing Conditions
Issues, Opportunities, and Needs Passenger Service Network Requirements Safety and Congestion Mitigation
Prioritization of Proposed Rail Actions Potential Rail Actions Recommended Priorities Implementation Plan
Potential Funding Strategies Appendix
State Rail Plan Outline
Passenger Rail Service Intercity Rail Service (including Amtrak) High Speed Rail Commuter Rail Tourist Railroads
Network Requirements Transcontinental Corridors Intermodal and distribution systems Class I Branch and Shortline Railroads
Safety and Congestion Mitigation Grade Separations and Safety
Improvements Capacity enhancements
Issues and Opportunities
Intercity and Commuter Rail System Intercity Rail provides
transit backbone for Sun Corridor
Prescott/Flagstaff to Nogales
Phased Implementation Phoenix to Tucson
highest priority PHX-TUC Intercity AA
Study
Seamless coordination with Commuter Rail
Passenger Rail Priorities
Establish a Western High Speed Rail Network Obtain Federal
Designation Complete Feasibility and
Route Studies Possible connections to
California, Nevada, and New Mexico
Partner with adjacent state DOTs / Western HSR Alliance
Passenger Rail Priorities
Partner with Amtrak to improve existing service Southwest Chief (BNSF) Sunset Limited (UPRR) Provide service to Phoenix Metro Area
Other Passenger Rail Opportunities
Partner with Class I Railroads to implement operational improvements along branch lines Enhancements along BNSF Phoenix
Subdivision (Peavine) Rehabilitation of UPRR Wellton Branch Efficiency improvements along UPRR
Nogales Subdivision
Recommended Implementation
Short Term (within 5 years)
Implementation Action Description
High Speed Rail Corridors Obtain federal designation of the recommended HSR corridors, and complete feasibility and route studies
Sunset Limited Improvements Partner with Amtrak to increase frequency of service along the Sunset Limited route
Phoenix to Tucson Intercity Rail Study Establish environmental clearance for the Phoenix to Tucson intercity rail corridor
Freight and Rail Advisory Council (FRAC)
Continue involvement of the FRAC in prioritizing and identifying freight rail improvement projects
Grade Separation Program Establish a program that prioritizes and implements key grade separation projects throughout the state
Rail Preservation Program Establish a program that can preserve abandoned rail corridors for future use
Recommended Implementation
Intermediate Term (within 10 years)Implementation Action Description
Commuter Rail Partner with MAG and PAG to plan commuter rail systems within the Phoenix and Tucson areas
Rehabilitation of the Wellton Branch Reinstating rail service along the UPRR Wellton Branch will provide an opportunity to return intercity service to Phoenix
Amtrak Service to Phoenix Routing the Sunset Limited service to Phoenix could be an initial step to more frequent trains service between Phoenix and Tucson
Additional Amtrak Intercity Service Establish more frequent Amtrak service between PHX and TUC, and if feasible between PHX and Los Angeles
Phoenix to Las Vegas Multi-Modal Corridor
Completing the scoping process for the “I-11 Corridor” from Phoenix to Las Vegas, including the Hassayampa Corridor
Transcontinental Rail Corridors Implement improvements to transcontinental rail corridors
Short Line Assistance Program Implement a program which can provide financial assistance for improvements to short line and tourist railroads
Recommended Implementation
Long Term (within 20 years)
Implementation Action Description
Intercity Rail Service between Phoenix and Tucson
Design, construct, and operate an intercity rail system connecting Phoenix and Tucson
Extensions of Intercity Rail for the Sun Corridor
Complete corridor studies and obtain environmental clearance for extensions of the intercity rail system north of Phoenix and south of Tucson
Intermodal and Freight Logistic Centers Based on recommendations provided by the FRAC, plan and implement new facilities at key locations
Funding Options
Federal Funds FRA High Speed Rail Grants New Federal Funding via Re-authorization FHWA Surface Transportation Program FHWA Section 130, Grade Crossing Safety
Improvements FHWA Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
(CMAQ) Funds
State & Local Funds State & Local Match Options
Arizona Department of TransportationMultimodal Planning Division
Shannon L. Scutari, Esq.Director, Rail & Sustainability Services
Mike Normand, AICPDirector of Community & Grant Services
Michael Kies, AECOMConsultant PM – State Rail Plan
Additional Information &
Assistance:
www.whatmovesyouarizona.gov www.whatmovesyouarizona.gov
Websites:
www.bqaz.gov www.bqaz.gov