nnepra tiger 6 grant narrative april 2014

Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Downeaster Optimization Project 1

Downeaster Service Optimization ProjectFY2014 TIGER Discretionary Grant Program April 25, 2014 Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Patricia Quinn, Executive Director 75 West Commercial Street, Suite 104 Portland, Maine 04101-4631

Tel 207.780.1000 x105 patr ic ia@nnepra .com

Application Narrative

WellsDover

Durham

Exeter

Haverhill

Woburn

Boston

PortlandOld Orchard Beach

Saco

MA

NH

ME

Exee

Brunswick

Freeport

Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Downeaster Service Optimization Project 1

Northern New England Passenger Rail AuthorityFY2014 TIGER Discretionary Grant Application

Downeaster Service Optimization Project Project Title: Downeaster Service Optimization ProjectProject Location: Cumberland County, Maine; 1st Congressional DistrictProject Type: Capitol ProjectProject Applicant: Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, POV DUNS #: 876964227Project Period: Through Decmeber 31, 2017Total Project Cost: $30,000,000TIGER Funding Request: $14,000,000

Project Elements:• Royal Junction Siding, Yarmouth, and Cumberland, Maine (Rural)

• Portland Wye Track & Trail, Portland, Maine (Non-Rural)

• Brunswick Layover, Brunswick, Maine (Rural)

WellsDover

Durham

Exeter

Haverhill

Woburn

Boston

PortlandOld Orchard Beach

Saco

MA

NH

ME

Exee

Brunswick

Freeport

Table of ContentsSection Page #

I. Project Description 2II. Project Parties 9III. Project Financing 10IV. Project Alignment with Selection Criteria 11V. Benefit Cost Analysis 16VI. Project Readiness & NEPA 17VII. Federal Wage Certification 20VIII. Application Attachments 20

Project Description: The Downeaster Service Optimization Project (Project) includes three independent capitol project elements which will allow the Amtrak Downeaster to efficiently operate five round-trips daily between Brunswick, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts, optimizing its frequency, financial efficiency and operating performance. All elements are ready for development and can meet the obligation date of September 2016.

Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Downeaster Service Optimization Project2

I. Project DescriptionBackground The Amtrak Downeaster began operating daily service between Portland, ME and Boston, MA on December 15, 2001 serving eight intermediate communities in three states, on its two and a half hour journey along the 116-mile corridor. This state-supported Amtrak service, which resulted from a citizens’ initiative to restore passenger rail to Maine, is managed by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA). The Downeaster carries more than half a million passengers annually including commuters, business travelers, college students traveling to and from school, youths on educational trips, patients receiving medical treatments, citizens who would not venture to Boston by car, families attending sports and theatre events, shoppers, visitors to Maine and more. The Downeaster has proven itself to be much more than a train ride, however. To date, hundreds of millions of dollars in public and private investment has occurred or is planned near stations, creating jobs and stimulating the economy.

Maine’s long range plan for passenger rail indicated that significant mobility and economic benefits would be realized if passenger service were expanded to include the communities of Freeport and Brunswick, ME, located approximately 28 miles north of Portland. A $38.3 million High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Grant was awarded to NNEPRA in 2010 to upgrade track infrastructure between Portland and Brunswick, and the Downeaster expanded two of its five daily round-trips to serve Freeport and Brunswick on November 1, 2012.

The response to the limited Downeaster service to Freeport and Brunswick has been overwhelmingly positive, exceeding daily average ridership projections by 50% in the first eighteen months of operation and generating millions of dollars in economic impact. Municipalities, tourism organizations, private businesses, developers and others along the entire Downeaster corridor are encouraging NNEPRA to add more trips to meet growing demand. Current Service Challenges Despite its popularity, the current limited Brunswick service is cumbersome and inefficient, requiring long equipment layovers in Brunswick, 28-mile dead-head moves, crew ground transports, redundant mechanical support and uncompetitive travel times. These challenges, combined with constraints in track capacity, restrict ridership and revenue and prohibit the expansion of additional Downeaster frequencies to Brunswick. Maximum ridership/revenue growth and cost effectiveness can be achieved when improvements are made to facilitate the operation of all five daily round-trips to operate between Brunswick and Boston daily.


Project Elements The Downeaster Service Optimization Project includes three project elements with independent utility which will collectively enable all five Downeaster trains to serve Freeport and Brunswick. This will improve financial and operational efficiency of the Downeaster service, increase connectivity and mobility, support public and private development initiatives which create jobs and generate tourism and contribute to the long term sustainability of the economy and the environment.

The Project Elements include:

• Brunswick Layover, an enclosed train layover facility at the northern terminus in Brunswick;

• Royal Junction Siding, a four-mile passing siding to provide capacity to support the operation of five daily round-trips between Brunswick and Boston; and,

• Portland Wye Track & Trail, a “wye” track in Portland to eliminate an unproductive and time consuming back-up move for Downeaster trains travelling between Portland and Brunswick, which will be designed to include a fenced pedestrian and bike trail.

NNEPRA has secured approximately $12 million to construct a train layover facility in Brunswick, the cornerstone of Downeaster service optimization improvements. The overnight servicing of trains in Brunswick will eliminate the need for two daily 28-mile deadhead moves between Brunswick and Portland and replace them with an additional daily round-trip between Brunswick and Boston. The conversion of these dead-head moves to a third round-trip revenue run, is expected to generate 21,900 riders and more than $438,000 in ticket revenues annually. The indoor facility will also eliminate the need for trains to idle outside in Brunswick during daytime holdovers, plus improve service reliability, safety and efficiency.

In addition to the long term operational, safety and mobility benefits associated with the Layover, this project element is expected to generate $12.4 million in regional economic output and create 80 jobs resulting in $5.95 million in labor earnings during the construction period. NNEPRA has contracted with a design-build firm to construct the Brunswick layover. The facility is in design phase, with commencement of construction pending NEPA determination, currently under review by the Federal Railroad Administration.

This TIGER Grant application seeks the additional funding required to construct Royal Junction Siding and the Portland Wye Track and Trail to fully optimize the performance, benefit and efficiency of Downeaster service between Brunswick and Boston. The State of Maine has committed $4 million in voter-approved Bond funding toward the construction of Royal Junction Siding and the Portland Wye Track & Trail, leaving $14 million in project costs unfunded. These two project elements will provide the track configuration and capacity necessary to support additional and more efficient passenger train meets and growing freight movements. While each project element has independent utility, the maximum transportation, financial and public benefit will be realized when all three are completed.


Royal Junction SidingYarmouth, Maine (Rural) Current track capacity constraints between Portland and Brunswick limit the Downeaster to only six one-way trips on that segment daily. Schedule string-lines indicate that if all five round-trips were operated between Brunswick and Boston daily, passenger train meets would take place west of Royal Junction, where the Brunswick Branch separates from the freight main line. The construction of a second main track, extending approximately four miles west from Royal Junction, will provide the capacity necessary to allow all five daily Downeaster round-trips to operate on that segment. The two additional round-trips are expected to generate approximately 40,150 more Downeaster riders and $843,000 in revenue annually, and reduce net system operating costs by $.55 per train mile.

Fully expanded service (five round-trips daily) between Brunswick and Boston will eliminate the need for crew ground transport and redundant train servicing operations for trips which may begin in Brunswick but terminate in Portland or vise versa. This will save labor and mechanical costs while increasing mobility and supporting economic growth in the region.

Pan Am Railways has provided engineering plans for a passing siding at Royal Junction and has agreed to permit the operation of five daily round-trip Downeaster trains between Portland and Brunswick upon its completion.

The new second track, or passing siding, will begin east of CPF-185 (Royal Junction) and extend 21,700 feet west to a point approximately 1,000 feet east of MP- 189. Royal Junction Siding will mitigate freight and passenger train conflicts, allowing for reliable movement of both types of rail traffic.

Royal Junction Siding will be constructed as a double block passing siding to allow “at-speed” meets of passenger trains, meaning that both passenger and freight trains can move through Royal Junction concurrently, and without conflict. In addition to new track, which will require upgrades to five public grade crossings, one farm crossing and a bridge span, the new siding will require communication and signal upgrades such as a new mainline control point (CP-Cemetery), modification of an existing control point (CPF -185), new mainline automatic signals and three grade crossing AHCP conversions for double track.

Royal Siding Project Budget

Track Construction 3,321,975$ Ties & disposal 175,000$ Track Relocation 250,000$ Prepare Subgrade 325,000$ Surface & Alignment 130,000$ Grade Crossing Upgrades 350,000$ Turnouts & Crossovers 800,000$ Bridge Deck 275,000$ New Main Line Control Points 620,000$ Modified Main Line Control Points 447,056$ New Main Line Automatic Signals 341,391$ AHCP Conversion for Double Track 389,578$

7,425,000$

Project Management 275,000$ Contingency 300,000$

Subtotal 575,000$

Royal Siding Total 8,000,000$

Portland Wye Project Budget

Track & Culverts 2,632,021$ Retaining Walls & Fencing 470,000$ Signals & Grade Crossings 3,750,000$ Survey 50,000$ Drainage Tie-‐In 50,000$ Utility Relocation 50,000$ Modifications to County Way 600,000$ Pedestrian Trail 300,000$

Subtotal 7,902,021$

Design & Engineering 100,000$ Project Management 350,000$ Contingency 1,647,979$

Subtotal 2,097,979$

Portland Wye Total 10,000,000$

The Brunswick Branch separates from the freight main line at Royal Junction and continues east toward Freeport and Brunswick.


All work for this element will be performed by Pan Am Railways within their railroad right-of-way with no additional environmental impacts anticipated.

The short term economic impacts of this element include almost $9.8 million in regional economic output during the construction period, including the creation of 59 jobs resulting in $4.45 million in labor earnings.

ENHANCEMENT PROJECTDOWNEASTER EXPANSION

PROJECT ELEMENTS

PORTLAND “WYE” TRACK

BRUNSWICK LAYOVER FACILITY

ROYAL JUNCTION SIDING

BRUNSWICK LAYOVER FACILITY

ROYAL JUNCTION SIDING

PORTLAND “WYE” TRACK & TRAIL

PROJECT ELEMENTSBrunswick Layover FacilityRoyal Junction SidingPortland “Wye” Track & Trail

Downeaster Service Optimization Project Map

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Portland Wye Track and Trail Portland, Maine (Urban)

A “Wye” track, connecting the Mountain Branch (where the Portland Transportation Center (PTC) is located) in an eastbound direction to the Pan Am Railways freight main line, will improve safety, and reduce travel time by ten minutes while maximizing operational efficiency and flexibility. This will generate 8,030 additional Downeaster riders annually and reduce net operating costs.

The existing track and signal system configuration cannot support a departure from the PTC to or from Brunswick without a wasteful and time consuming procedure involving stopping the train on the main line while the train crew physically reverses the direction of operation of the train in coordination with the Pan Am Railways train dispatcher. This awkward reversing movement occurs with passengers on board, wasting time and ultimately resulting in a Portland to Brunswick travel time which is uncompetitive with the driving time. This maneuver cannot continue in the long term, particularly when service frequency increases and a new connecting wye track is needed to join the freight main line and the Mountain Branch.

Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) has been retained to design the 2,500 foot long wye track and trail which will pass underneath the existing Fore River Parkway bridge, connecting to the main line just east of Congress Street in Portland.

To further the public benefit of the investment, the Wye is being designed to include a separated and fenced pedestrian and bike trail, which will connect Thompson’s Point and the current Fore River Parkway with downtown Portland. The City of Portland has developed a vision for a shared use pathway network that extends 6.8 miles (3.6 miles existing) along the perimeter of the Portland peninsula – the economic and social hub of the city. The Libbytown Trail (1.2 miles) is one of three remaining pathway segments needed to complete this vision.

The Libbytown Trail will extend from the future terminus of the Bayside Trail at Forest Avenue along the old Union Branch Rail line to meet the rail alignment proposed for the Portland Wye. The

Royal Siding Project Budget

Track Construction 3,321,975$ Ties & disposal 175,000$ Track Relocation 250,000$ Prepare Subgrade 325,000$ Surface & Alignment 130,000$ Grade Crossing Upgrades 350,000$ Turnouts & Crossovers 800,000$ Bridge Deck 275,000$ New Main Line Control Points 620,000$ Modified Main Line Control Points 447,056$ New Main Line Automatic Signals 341,391$ AHCP Conversion for Double Track 389,578$

7,425,000$

Project Management 275,000$ Contingency 300,000$

Subtotal 575,000$

Royal Siding Total 8,000,000$

Portland Wye Project Budget

Track & Culverts 2,632,021$ Retaining Walls & Fencing 470,000$ Signals & Grade Crossings 3,750,000$ Survey 50,000$ Drainage Tie-‐In 50,000$ Utility Relocation 50,000$ Modifications to County Way 600,000$ Pedestrian Trail 300,000$

Subtotal 7,902,021$

Design & Engineering 100,000$ Project Management 350,000$ Contingency 1,647,979$

Subtotal 2,097,979$

Portland Wye Total 10,000,000$

The new Wye Track alignment identified will improve moves between Portland Station and Brunswick.


first phase of the Libbytown Trail proposed to be constructed as part of this Project (0.25 miles) will run parallel to the new wye track from Congress Street to the existing Fore River Parkway Trail. This short segment has high independent utility and is one of the most critical links in the Libbytown Trail.

This segment will complement strategic transportation initiatives within the Libbytown neighborhood and will provide increased accessibility from several nearby neighborhoods to:

• The Fore River Parkway Trail and the Portland Transportation Center;

• The new Thompson’s Point/Forefront Development;

• The future West Commercial Street Trail to the Portland Waterfront and downtown; and,

• The Veteran’s Bridge pathway to South Portland.

The majority of track and trail can be constructed on land owned by the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) and can be aligned beneath the existing Fore River Parkway overpass without significant impacts to existing embankment slopes. The balance of property required will be purchased as necessary. The City of Portland, the Cumberland County Commissioners and Pan Am Railways support the construction of the wye and adjoining trail.

Private investors are currently redeveloping Thompson’s Point into a mixed use entertainment and business complex and the City of Portland plans to expand local transit connections to the existing Portland Transportation Center. The frequency, ease and appeal of Downeaster and pedestrian access to this $100 million complex is important to this critical redevelopment plan.

The long-term benefits of the Wye Track & Trail include improved operational efficiency, safety, time savings and cost recovery in addition to an increase in passengers. Short-term impacts include $12.4 million in regional economic output during the construction period, and the creation of 70 jobs resulting in $5.87 million in labor earnings.

“Forefront at Thompsons Point”, Portland, Maine


Project Results In total, the Downeaster Service Optimization Project will result in tangible results and benefits which will have a significant positive impact on Downeaster service in the predominantly rural areas between Portland and Brunswick and the entire operation between Brunswick and Boston. Collectively, by 2017, the Project improvements will:

Improve the financial and operational efficiency of the Downeaster. • Increases Downeaster ridership by 97,667 riders;

• Reduces Downeaster travel time between Portland and Brunswick by ten minutes (20%), making it competitive with automobile drive time;

• Increases cost recovery 10%;

• Reduces net operating costs per passenger mile 15%;

• Reduces net operating costs per train mile by 23%;

• Improves reliability of passenger and freight trains by reducing delays due to conflicting movements; and,

• Eliminates the need for multiple daily 28-mile “deadhead” train movements through 37 grade crossings.

Stimulate the economy.• Creates more than 218 short-term

construction jobs;

• Generates $34.6 million in near-term regional economic activity (output);

• Generates $1.7 million annually in new tourism spending in Maine; and,

• Contributes to the success of more than $150 million in private transportation-related development projects between Brunswick and Portland.

Preserve the Environment. • Diverts more than 7 million passenger

miles from the region’s road network annually;

• Reduces annual Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) by nearly 1.9 million miles;

• Reduces 46,694 tons of emissions; and,

• Reduces fuel consumption by 4.66 million gallons annually.

The TIGER Project goal is to operate five round-trips between Brunswick and Boston. This will maximize the efficiency of the operation, increase ridership and revenues, reduce operating costs and maximize opportunities for connections to Mid Coast Maine and improve regional mobility.


II. Project PartiesAbout NNEPRA The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) is the lead agency for this Project. NNEPRA is a State of Maine public transportation authority created in 1995 to develop and provide passenger rail service between Maine and Boston. NNEPRA manages the $15 million annual budget and holds a 20-year agreement with Amtrak to operate the Downeaster rail service between Brunswick and Boston. NNEPRA is also party to operating and capital agreements with host railroads. NNEPRA has significant experience managing construction projects within guidelines and specifications required by federal funding partners.

To assure the continued maintenance of the rail line, NNEPRA, through an agreement with Pan Am Railways, funds annual Capital Maintenance Projects, beyond routine maintenance, to address infrastructure needs that could impact Downeaster performance.

Additional Project Partners NNEPRA has contracted with professional partners to develop and execute the various elements of this Project. Consigli Construction has been selected as the design/build construction firm, and Parsons Brinckerhoff is providing engineering support for the Brunswick Layover Facility. Pan Am Railways has designed the Royal Junction Siding and is finalizing the signal design for the Portland Wye Track & Trail. MaineDOT has contracted Gannett Fleming to provide engineering / NEPA support for the Portland Wye Track & Trail. The Wye Track & Trail has been designed with input from Amtrak, the Cumberland County Commissioners and the City of Portland.

NNEPRA Project Management Experience: 1999 – 2001: $70m FTA funded Passenger Rail Project required to upgrade track between Plaistow, NH and Portland, ME to support the operation of the Downeaster was managed by NNEPRA. The Project included the rehabilitation of 78 miles of track, upgrades to 31 public grade crossings, and the construction of 7 passenger platforms in Maine and New Hampshire.

2004: $1m project to remove clay under the track bed in Kennebunk, ME to increase speeds.

2006-2007: $6m capacity project to support an additional Downeaster frequency.

2009-2011: $1.3m Portland Area Infrastructure Improvement Project partnership with the FRA. 2010-2014: $38.35m Downeaster Expansion Project, funded with an ARRA/HSIPR Grant, is substantially complete and service to Brunswick began in 2012. Remaining elements are scheduled to be completed in 2014. NNEPRA has met all requirements of the FRA/USDOT in the management and reporting of these funds.

NNEPRA Staff


III. Project Financing NNEPRA, in cooperation with the MaineDOT, has secured 53% of the funding required to complete the Downeaster Service Optimization Project, including all funding for the Brunswick Layover Facility.

NNEPRA has submitted applications for funding to construct Royal Junction Siding and Portland Wye Track & Trail elements of the Program in previous rounds of TIGER Grants, and continues to make progress toward the development of these priority projects. Since the last submission in June 2013, Maine voters approved a transportation bond package which includes $4 million to be contributed toward the construction of Royal Junction Siding and the Portland Wye Track & Trail. In addition, MaineDOT has contributed approximately $250,000 toward the civil and track design for the Portland Wye. Pan Am Railways has begun finalizing the signal design.

Each project element has independent utility and will result in a distinct service improvement. While the transportation and economic benefits are optimized upon completion of all three elements, each is a critical building block toward achieving Downeaster service optimization goals.

Project Investment Required Brunswick Layover (Funded) 12,000,000 $ Royal Siding 8,000,000 $ Portland Wye and Trail 10,000,000 $ Optimization Project Total 30,000,000 $ 100%

Project Funding Available Funding Secured for Layover 12,000,000 $ 40% MaineDOT Bond Funding for Royal/Wye 4,000,000 $ 13% Project Funding Available 16,000,000 $ 53%

Project Funding Remaining TIGER 6 Grant Request 14,000,000 $ 47%


IV. Project Alignment with Selection CriteriaThe Downeaster has enjoyed more than a decade of growing ridership between Portland and Boston. The expansion of two daily round-trips to Freeport and Brunswick in 2012 are exceeding expectations, but operate inefficiently and do not provide the level of service required to meet the growing demand in the region. The Project Elements described will independently and cummulatively resolve those challenges and address all TIGER Program selection criteria.

Long Term OutcomesState of Good RepairCompletion of the project elements will provide essential mobility options for residents, and improve the overall reliability of Downeaster passenger trains while supporting and enhancing Maine’s freight rail infrastructure as well.

Economic CompetitivenessConnectivity to urban economic centers (Portland and Boston) is critical to Maine’s competitiveness. Maine enjoys an image of being charming yet, rural, cold, snowy, and remote. The lack of transportation options is a detriment to attracting workers, residents and investors from other locations. Fully expanded service will provide more frequent, efficient, and reliable passenger rail service that will increase mobility to and within Maine. Additional service to Brunswick and Freeport specifically is expected to generate many new tourists, contributing to the Maine economy without adding to the burden of additional traffic. A robust Downeaster service will help attract new businesses and workers to support the development of Brunswick Landing, site of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station (BNAS).

This Project will also protect and enhance the movement of freight goods supporting Maine’s northern industries and will improve the exposure of and access to the public/private development projects currently occurring or planned along the corridor. All of these initiatives will create jobs and stimulate the regional economy.


LivabilityThis Project not only delivers transportation benefits, but will preserve the quality of life treasured so much in Maine and further the livability principles developed by the US Department of Transportation with the departments of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency.

• Additional round-trips and reduced travel time will result in more frequent and cost effective transportation options for residents, business owners and visitors. Downeaster station communities have emerged into multi-modal transportation hubs, increasing availability of and access to many modes of public transportation. Fully expanded Downeaster service will help support local transit services as well, improving connectivity and increasing options for all residents.

• Project improvements will enhance revitalization efforts. Brunswick Landing, the site of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, is being redeveloped to include both businesses and educational institutions. Developers are investing more than $100 million in Portland’s Forefront at Thompson’s Point project to transform the area from a defunct industrial site into a world-class business, residential and entertainment complex. The availability of time competitive, frequent and reliable passenger rail service is a critical aspect of each of these developments.

• Fully expanded Downeaster service will enhance the access to and appeal of affordable housing, particularly in Brunswick where hundreds of homes became vacant as a result of the closing of BNAS.

• Faster, more frequent Downeaster service will increase the economic competiveness of the region by providing better access to tourism hubs including Freeport, mid-coast Maine and downtown Portland as well as business centers such as Brunswick Landing and the Forefront at Thompson’s Point. The Project improvements will also protect the reliability of freight rail movement and improve freight access to potential industrial sites on the Mountain Branch.

The Downeaster is a favorite among college students. Bowdoin College is located next to Brunswick Station. Increased frequency will enable more students to take advantage of Downeaster service.

Downtown Brunswick, Maine is within walking distance of the Brunswick Train Station.


• Project improvements have been developed cooperatively with the communities and complement transportation and strategic development policies. This project has the support of the municipalities and the improved service will help leverage private development in Portland, Freeport and Brunswick.

• Improved connectivity will increase the value of communities and neighborhoods served by the Downeaster by encouraging new development and providing more transportation options.

Environmental SustainabilityFully expanded Downeaster service will enhance the sustainability of the region, increasing the efficiency of the rail corridor to provide mobility while concurrently reducing fuel consumption and protecting the environment. Further, increased service will divert 3.2 million passenger miles from the highways along the Brunswick to Boston corridor, reducing the consumption of 4.66 million gallons of fuel annually. Safety A layover in Brunswick will eliminate the need to deadhead trains 28 miles and through 37 grade crossings each way between Brunswick and Portland just to service trains. The elimination of the back-up move in Portland, additional track capacity and a layover facility will all contribute to the safety of the operation. Increased train frequency will increase the diversion of highway traffic to rail and will reduce the overall vehicle miles travelled in the region contributing to a decline in roadway accidents.

Job Creation & Near-Term Economic Activity In the short term, more than 200 jobs will be created or retained in association with the construction of the Project elements, generating $34.6 million in economic activity including $16.2 million in labor earnings.

The associated improvements will direct permanent jobs to areas of the state which are more economically challenged such as Brunswick, while supporting new opportunities in more urban areas such as Portland. The result is a net increase of several hundred jobs to the State. Increased tourism will also create or sustain jobs, and result in additional sales tax revenues.

In the past two years, a once barren Brownfield site located between downtown Brunswick and Bowdoin College has been transformed into the bustling

Pan Am crews avoid lay-offs by working through the winter on the Downeaster Expansion project.


Brunswick Station. The complex includes restaurants, medical offices, retail shops, a visitors’ center and a 52-room hotel along with the train station adjacent to the train platform. The success of the project has exceeded expectations as this area has become a transportation hub providing local and intercity bus services, rental cars and excursion train service to mid-coast Maine. Municipal offices are relocating to the site and plans are already underway to create further development in association with Downeaster service.

Tourism is among Maine’s largest industries, contributing $10 billion in sales, 45% of total tax revenues and sustaining 140,000 jobs. Freeport is one of Maine’s most popular tourist areas attracting more than 3.5 million visitors who spend $300 million annually. Freeport Village Station, a 120,000 square foot state-of-the-art shopping complex located between L.L. Bean and the Freeport train platform, opened in May 2009. The thriving multi-level complex is home to more than 20 retail businesses and the Nordica Theatre which opened in November 2011. This added attraction has further enhanced the appeal of travelling to Freeport by train and increased the economic potential for tourism development.

The Forefront at Thompson’s Point will transform the defunct industrial area surrounding the Downeaster’s Portland Station. This mixed use commercial and entertainment complex will include a sport and concert arena, conference center, a full service hotel, office space, restaurants, parking garage and a nature trail. The City of Portland designated the area as a Transit TIF district and plans to work cooperatively with the developers, the State and others to redevelop the existing Portland Transportation Center and layover facility into a new expanded multi-modal transportation center adjacent to the train tracks which will include intercity and local transit busses, rental cars, bicycle rentals and a water taxi as well as an expanded Downeaster train station.

The sports and entertainment arena is the cornerstone of the Forefront at Thompson’s Point development project. It will serve as home of the Red Claws, Portland’s NBA Development team and provide a venue for conferences and concerts.

More than 125 people are employed by the businesses at Brunswick Station.


Innovation The Downeaster service has always been a model for creativity and innovation. On-board WiFi was available more than three years before a national solution was introduced by Amtrak, and the Downeaster was the first route in the nation to test and introduce Amtrak’s new e-Ticketing technology. The spirit of innovation continues in this Project with the incorporation of a fenced pedestrian and bike trail into the design of the Portland Wye track & Trail.

Partnership Developing, sustaining and growing partnerships with and between transportation providers, communities, planning agencies, development groups and other stakeholders is one of NNEPRA’s core principles. NNEPRA communicates regularly with these groups and will continue to partner with all communities and stakeholder groups along the corridor to inspire new opportunities for the region. Additionally, specific stakeholder groups have been established to collaborate on specific Project components.

The full expansion of Downeaster service enjoys broad support because it builds upon the success of the existing Downeaster service, the success of the limited service currently offered to Freeport and Brunswick and an appreciation for its current and potential impact on the regional economy. The following individuals and entities provided letters of support for the previous submissions of the Downeaster Service Optimization Project, and are again included in this request:

The Downeaster was the first Amtrak route to introduce e-Ticketing.

Maine Department of Transportation JHR Development, Brunswick StationAmtrak LL BeanBiddeford, ME ( City of ) Maine Development FoundationBiddeford-‐Saco Chamber of Commerce Maine Eastern RailroadBrunswick Downtown Asociation Maine State Chamber of CommerceDover, NH ( City of ) Old Orchard Beach (Town of)Dover, NH Chamber of Commerce Rockland, ME (Town of)Durham, NH (Town of ) Saco, ME ( City of ) Freeport USA Thompson’s Point Development Company, Inc.Freeport, ME (Town of) TrainRiders NortheastGreater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau University of New Hampshire, DurhamGreater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau Wells, ME (Town of)

Wells Chamber of Commerce


V. Benefit Cost AnalysisA benefit-cost analysis (BCA) was conducted by Parsons Brinckerhoff for the June 2013 submission of a TIGER Grant Application for the Downeaster Service Optimization Project and is included with this request as well. The BCA was completed in accordance with the methodology recommended by the U.S. DOT in the Federal Register (77 Fed. Reg. 4863) and conducted for a 30 year analysis period. CostsThe overall capital cost of the project is expected to be $25 million in undiscounted 2011 dollars. Operations and maintenance costs are projected to increase annually by $866,097 (in undiscounted 2011 dollars) compared with the no build scenario. Over the 30 year period these costs accumulate to $25.6 million in 2011 dollars, or $16.4 million when discounted at 3%. This is an average of $545,700 per year on a 3% discounted basis.

BenefitsThe project creates benefits of $101.1 million in 2011 dollars ($55.9 million when discounted at 3%). It does so, generally by decreasing travel times and shifting trips previously taken by automobile to train. At a 3% discount rate the Project yields a benefit-cost ratio of 1.39 over a 30 year period.

Benefits by Category for Downeaster Service Optimization Project, Cumulative 2014-2043Over the entire analysis period, the Project exhibits decreases in both VMT and in VHT. Given the distribution, the project benefits are anticipated to exceed its costs (at a 3% discount rate) between 2032 and 2033.

Substantial additional secondary benefits such as economic output associated with construction material and labor payments, tourism spending and impacts resulting from associated private developments are not factored into the calculation but contribute significantly to the Project value.

Discount Rate

Net Present Value 2011 $ millions disc.

Economic Rate

of Return Benefit Cost

Ratio

3 % $ 15.70 6.0% 1.39

7 % -‐$3.30 -‐-‐ 0.90

Scenario

2011$ thousands

Discount rate 3%

Economic Competitiveness $49,320

Safety $4,790 Environmental $1,789 State of Good Repair $9

Total $55,900

Discount Rate


Economic Rate


Ratio

3 % $ 15.70 6.0% 1.39

7 % -‐$3.30 -‐-‐ 0.90

Scenario

2011$ thousands

Discount rate 3%



Total $55,900

Discount Rate


Economic Rate


Ratio

3 % $ 15.70 6.0% 1.39

7 % -‐$3.30 -‐-‐ 0.90

Scenario

2011$ thousands

Discount rate 3%



Total $55,900

$55,908


VI. Project Readiness and NEPAProject Schedule The Downeaster Service Optimization Project can move forward almost immediately upon notification of award. NNEPRA is prepared to begin procurement and some construction within calendar year 2014 and expects that construction of all project elements can be completed by the end of 2017.

Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4File Application

Project Award

Obligate Grant

Final Design & PermittingPortland Wye NBrunswick Layover N Royal Junction Siding N

Right of Way, Utilities and Local & County CoordinationPortland WyeBrunswick LayoverRoyal Junction Siding

Issue Bid Request for Contracted ServicesPortland WyeBrunswick Layover Royal Junction Siding

Award Bids for Contracted ServicesPortland WyeBrunswick LayoverRoyal Junction Siding

Procure materialsPortland WyeBrunswick LayoverRoyal Junction Siding

ConstructionPortland WyeBrunswick LayoverRoyal Junction Siding

Grant Closeout

2,600 4,160 13,000 19,240 19,240 26,000 23,400 15,600 13,000 15,600 10,400 7,800 7,800 7,800 1,560 ####

Schedule Chart Legend: Active Project included in STIP/TIP N NEPA Determinations complete

# Jobs 5 8 25 37 37 50 45 30 25 30 20 15 15 15 3 360Jobs x 40hrs x 13 weeks 2,600 4,160 13,000 19,240 19,240 26,000 23,400 15,600 13,000 15,600 10,400 7,800 7,800 7,800 1,560

Wye 2 2 5 5 10 15 20 20 15 15 15 3 127Layover 25 35 35 35 25 130Royal 10 15 20 10 10 65

2014 2015 2016 2017

Job Hours Created

* *

*

*


Preliminary Engineering The full expansion of Downeaster service requires the completion of three project elements designed to meet the needs of an improved Downeaster operating plan. Varying degrees of preliminary engineering has been completed on each element to date and construction can begin within months of funding approval.

• The Brunswick Layover Facility is funded, and is not contingent upon TIGER financing. A design-build firm has been selected to construct the Brunswick Layover facility. Final design is underway and construction is expected to begin immediately upon a favorable NEPA determination from the FRA.

• Pan Am Railways has completed preliminary design of track and signal configurations to complete the Royal Junction Siding and procurements could begin in Summer 2015.

• A preliminary alignment and design has been developed for the Portland Wye Track & Trail which has been endorsed by Pan Am Railways, the Maine Department of Transportation, the City of Portland, the Cumberland County Commissioners and Amtrak. Final civil and track design is underway by Gannett Fleming and Pan Am Railways is in the process of completing signal design.

NEPA StatusThe NNEPRA and the FRA prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Downeaster Portland North Expansion Project, for which the FRA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in July 2009. The EA evaluated the overall program of improvements necessary to extend Downeaster Service from Portland to Brunswick.

The Project elements detailed in this application are within the study area that was previously analyzed for the Portland North Expansion Project, and are integral parts of Portland North Expansion Project and the program of current Federally supported actions which, when considered individually and collectively, would not result in a significant adverse impact to the natural and human environment.

The specific project elements under this application have undergone subsequent additional environmental evaluation in accordance with NEPA:

• NNEPRA has initiated an EA, with FRA as lead agency, to evaluate the Brunswick Layover Facility.

• A Categorical Exclusion worksheet has been completed and will be submitted to FRA for the Royal Junction Siding.

• A Categorical Exclusion worksheet has been completed and will be submitted to FRA for the Portland Wye Track & Trail.


Other environmental actions needed: Drainage improvements for the Royal Junction Siding and Portland Wye Track & Trail qualify for the State of Maine, Permit-by-Rule (PBR) issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in accordance with Chapter 305 of the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA). The PBR is issued for placement and maintenance of outfall pipes and ditches in or adjacent to wetlands and water bodies that should not significantly affect the environment, if carried out according to the standards contained in the regulations. The NRPA permit constitutes the state permit and the 401 Water Quality Certification. The PBR notification form must be submitted to the DEP at least 14 days prior to construction. The drainage improvements would qualify for the New England District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Programmatic General Permit (PGP) process, which expedites review of minimal impact work in waters and wetlands within the State of Maine. The PGP process has two levels: Category 1, Non-reporting, and Category 2, Reporting. Regardless of the category, the drainage improvements would qualify for authorization from the USACE and is typically issued in less than 60 days.

Legislative ApprovalThe extension of Downeaster service to Freeport and Brunswick has long been a part of Maine’s transportation strategy. Goal #4 of the Maine State Rail Plan (draft December 2010) is to “Implement capacity improvements in the Boston-Portland-Brunswick corridor to enable added frequency, increased speed and reliability”. Maine’s 123rd Legislature passed a Joint Resolution in Support of the Expansion of Downeaster Rail Service. One month later, the Governor signed into law the “Rail Improvement Act” (23 MRSA section 4210-B, subsection 7), to create a dedicated funding mechanism to support passenger rail. NNEPRA and MaineDOT entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in August 2010 which states that the first priority for those funds is “to provide the required non-federal match for the extension of rail service to Brunswick, Maine and to pay capital and operating costs of the Downeaster service as set forth in the budget as approved by MaineDOT or as otherwise approved by MaineDOT on an as-needed basis. This Project will clearly improve the operational efficiency, transportation impacts and public benefits of the Downeaster service.


Application Attachments • Preliminary Engineering Documentation • Benefit Cost Analysis • Legislative Approvals • NEPA Documentation • Letters of Support

To view attachments; click HERE or visit: http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/tiger-6-grant-application

http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/tiger-6-grant-application

nnepra tiger 6 grant narrative april 2014

Documents

project period

project descriptionbackground

project alignment

project parties

project financing

total project cost

amtrak downeaster

project readiness nepa