central midlands regional trans it authority intermodal...

3613 LUCIUS ROAD. • COLUMBIA, SC • 29201 WWW.CATCHTHECOMET.ORG • (O) 803.255.7133 • (F) 803.255.7113

Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority

INTERMODAL COMMITTEE AGENDA

Wednesday, July 10, 2019 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC, 29201 Conference Room A (Large) – 2nd Floor

OFFICERS

Derrick Huggins, Chair (City of Columbia) Lill Mood (Lexington County) Jacqueline Boulware (Richland County) Joyce Dickerson (Richland County)

William (B.J.) Unthank (Lexington County Legislative Delegation)

1. CALL TO ORDER AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

3. ADOPT MINUTES FROM MAY 8, 2019 MEETING PAGES 2-8

4. OLD BUSINESS (John Andoh)A. Discussion Regarding Intermodal Transit Center and Bus Transfer Facilities PAGES 9-30

5. NEW BUSINESS (John Andoh)A. Presentation from SCDOT Regarding Public Transit and Rail (Invited) PAGES 31-33

6. LEGAL/CONTRACTUAL/PERSONNEL (may require executive session)

7. ADJOURN

All items on this agenda are subject to action being taken by the Committee. Agenda order is subject to change.

Prior to entering the meeting, please turn all electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, etc.) to a silent, vibrate or off position.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The COMET will make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to participate in this meeting. Upon request to the Administrative & Customer Service Specialist. The COMET will provide agenda materials in appropriate alternative formats, or disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in public meetings. Requests should be sent to The COMET by mail at 3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC 29201, by fax at (803) 255-7113, or by e-mail to [email protected]. For language assistance, interpreter services, please contact (803) 255-7133, 711 through the Relay Service. Para información en Español, por favor llame al (803) 255-7133. Take The COMET to the Meeting! Route 6 and DART serve the facility. Visit www.catchthecomet.org or call (803) 255-7100 for more details. Upcoming Meeting Dates: Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 12:00 p.m. Lowell C. Spires, Jr. Regional Transit Facility – 3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, Conference Room A.

of 6 May 8, 2019 Intermodal Committee Meeting Minutes

The COMET Committee Meeting minutes are prepared and presented in summary form, audio recordings of the meetings are on file at The COMET and are part of the approved minutes. If you would like to hear the recording from the meeting, please contact Paige Jernigan @ [email protected]. Per SC Code of Laws, Title 30, Chapter 4, Section 30-4-80 - All public bodies shall notify persons or organizations, local news media, or such other news media as may request notification of the times, dates, places, and agenda of all public meetings, whether scheduled, rescheduled, or called, and the efforts made to comply with this requirement must be noted in the minutes of the meetings. The COMET complied with the notification of this meeting on May 3, 2019 at 3:30 p.m.

Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Intermodal Committee Wednesday, May 8, 2019 -1:00 P.M.

3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC 29201 – Conference Room A Members Present: Guests Present: Jacqueline Boulware* Julius Williams, Transit Rider Carolyn Gleaton Reginald Simmons, CMCOG Derrick Huggins, Chair Lill Mood Absent Committee Members: Joyce Dickerson William (B.J) Unthank *Indicates participation by phone. The COMET Staff Present John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO Brittany Higgins, Travel Trainer Paige Jernigan, Interim Administrative & Customer Service Specialist 1. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Huggins called the meeting to order at 1:16 p.m.

mailto:[email protected]


DETERMINATION OF QUORUM A quorum was present at the opening of the meeting.

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Motion:

A motion was made by Ms. Gleaton and seconded by Mr. Huggins to adopt the agenda.

Approve: Boulware, Gleaton, Huggins, Mood

Absent: Dickerson

Motion passed.

3. MINUTES

Motion:

A motion was made by Ms. Mood and seconded by Mr. Huggins to approve the minutes from April 10, 2019.


Absent: Dickerson

Motion passed.

4. OLD BUSINESS (John Andoh)

A. Work Plan for FY 2019 – 2020

Mr. Andoh stated that at the last meeting the Intermodal Committee decided to develop a work plan for the upcoming year to focus on, Page 9. The committee has stressed that the plan should be practical and easy to implement within a one (1) to ten (10) year time frame. A. Facility Enhancements B. Service Enhancements – Public Transit C. Service Enhancement – Mobility Options

Mr. Andoh explained each project and encouraged discussion from the committee members. The Staff and the Committee will have to coordinate with relevant agencies. He


requested approval from the Intermodal Committee to begin work on these proposed Work Plan.

Mr. Huggins reiterated the importance of buy–in from several stake holders and key players. Ms. Mood added these stake holders need to have a seat at the table. Mr. Huggins agreed adding “empowered” participants. Intermodal implies to her more participants in implementing projects. Committees and task forces, per Ms. Mood and Mr. Andoh, would be a strategic way to start. Mr. Huggins asked Mr. Simmons what he suggests in terms of getting more participation. Mr. Simmons added that we must get project specific and identify what areas specifically are going to impact stake holders. This will hopefully cause a sense of urgency. Ms. Mood commented that DOT is very resistant to concept of high-volume occupancy transportation. Mr. Huggins agreed and stated that we, the committee do not want to focus or get bogged down on tasks that we know can’t happen. He inquired about the ability for Mr. Simmons and others to have a vote on some of these projects. Unfortunately, Mr. Andoh stated that a By Law change would have to take place for voting capability for Mr. Simmons. He added, this is an example of where task force formation and participation would allow an opportunity for key stake holders to have buy in. Mr. Huggins and Mr. Andoh agreed that lobbying to have key players attend the meeting needs to happen. Ms. Mood reiterated that we need to carefully identify a plan specific to persons at the table. She added that not mentioning rail is discouraging. Mr. Huggins agrees but he wants to see more access to the existing entities, Amtrak. Mr. Huggins feels that the word “rail” should be added into the plans. He asked Mr. Andoh to get creative on wording, for example, we are partnering or at least having a conversation with Amtrak. Ms. Mood suggested that we breakdown what visitors see as the entrance to the city and how they connect with transportation when they get to Columbia. Mr. Huggins stated that we should start with small steps for implementation of Phase One (1) of the Intermodal Transit Center. Ms. Mood commented that like the COG, we need the right people from CSX or Norfolk Southern. It was agreed that Mr. Andoh and Mr. Huggins would begin working on a plan of action. Mr. Andoh mentioned National Passenger Railroad Corporation (NPRC) as a relevant agency that we need to work with and they would know the appropriate people to contact. He added that NPRC is leasing the Amtrak station currently. The city owns the parking lot, building, and the land but CSX owns the rail and the platform and Amtrak runs the service. Mr. Andoh added that this is an achievable and attainable option is to work towards building


the Intermodal Transit Center at the Amtrak station. He added that North Charleston has done this. Mr. Huggins suggested a trip to North Charleston to see the operation. Motion:

A motion was made by Mr. Huggins and seconded by Ms. Mood to adopt the building plan of the Intermodal Transit Station.


Absent: Dickerson

Motion passed.

5. NEW BUSINESS

A. Regional Intermodal Facility Discussion / Transit Center Road Map On Page 11, Mr. Andoh referenced that the priority should be replacing the Laurel and Sumter location. He stated that The City has expressed concern with the Assembly Street location and as result, we are working with the COG to properly close the facility. He added that he fears The City has concerns that the same issue is occurring at the Laurel and Sumter location. Ms. Brittany Higgins joined the meeting at 1:37 p.m. Mr. Andoh asked if the closure of the Laurel and Sumter street location be a priority now or later. He referred to Pages 16 - 20 in the packet and reviewed each of the possibilities and discussed the study the COG did identifying twenty-two (22) potential sites for the ITC. Mr. Andoh distributed System Maps and discussed the potential locations. Mr. Andoh added that the consultant that helped with the COG study has agreed to help us determine the best form of action. Mr. Huggins asked how much the study costs? Mr. Simmons stated $350k because of the comprehensive detail. Mr. Huggins would like to see ITC’s that are comparable in size and are experiencing the same issues and how they have evolved. Mr. Andoh added that the consultant just completed this project in Richmond, Virginia and suggested he come to speak to us regarding this project. Mr. Huggins suggested decommissioning of both facilities, Laurel and Sumter and Assembly and going to a grid system. Discussion ensued. Mr. Andoh stated that he is


working with the Vista Guild but emphasized that he told them that this ITC would not be a replacement for Laurel and Sumter. Mr. Huggins agreed and urged a strong opening statement reiterating that this is not a replacement of Laurel and Sumter. Mr. Williams asked about the possibility of having restaurants and meeting facilities. Mr. Andoh confirmed this is in the plan and added he even mentioned this to the Vista Guild about them using the space for meetings. Mr. Huggins added that he loves the Busby Street Center. Ms. Mood added our ITC would be a great Visitor Center. Mr. Huggins added that he needs to get Mr. Simmons on campus to meet with some prominent people. Mr. Huggins commented that we fail to list all our resources and the importance of marketing our positive attributes. Ms. Boulware stated that it is important that some of the school age students need to know more about The COMET. Ms. Higgins explained that we are currently working with the schools. She added the only one we haven’t visited is the Lexington School District. Ms. Boulware suggested an Amtrak ride through the country as an example. It was agreed that the selling point to our city is that one facility can get you to anywhere in the world. Mr. Andoh concluded that we want to start the process of pursuing ITC by building support. He added he will have Brownstone come in and present the plans. And he will present on his meeting with the Vista Guild.

B. Presentation from CMCOG on Planning Processes Mr. Simmons summarized the CMCOG presentation, Agenda Item # 5.B on Page 22.

6. LEGAL/CONTRACTUAL/PERSONNEL (may require executive session)

No Legal/Contractual/Personnel matters to discuss. 7. ADJOURN

Mr. Huggins adjourned the meeting without motion.

Meeting adjourned at 2:42 p.m.

CENTRAL MIDLANDS REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY Adopted this _______________________, 2019, Agenda Item ______ Prepared by:


_____________________________________________ Paige Jernigan, Interim Administrative & Customer Service Specialist Approved by: _____________________________________________ Andy Smith, Secretary

Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority John Andoh, CCTM, CPM Executive Director/CEO 3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC 29201 Ron Anderson, Chair, John V. Furgess, Sr, Vice Chair P 803 255 7133 F 803 255 7113 Andy Smith, Secretary, Dr. Robert Morris, Treasurer CATCHTHECOMETSC.GOV Board Members: Jacqueline Boulware, Lill Mood, Carolyn Gleaton [email protected] Leon Howard, Derrick Huggins, COL (R) Roger Leaks, Jr.

Joyce Dickerson, Skip Jenkins, Debbie Summers, Bobby Horton, Kevin Reeley, Geraldine Robinson, William (B.J.) Unthank

July 6, 2019 Agenda Item # 4A To: Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Board of Directors Intermodal Committee Members From: John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO Subject: Discussion Regarding Intermodal Transit Center and Bus Transfer Facilities ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Requested Action: Staff recommends that the Intermodal Committee discuss an ideal intermodal facility with Brownstone Architecture and provide direction regarding an intermodal transit center development. Background and Summary: At the last Intermodal Committee meeting in May 2019, The Committee recommended to the Board of Directors to start the process to replace Laurel and Sumter Transit Center. There are several options on how The COMET could implement such a facility. Since the last Intermodal Committee meeting, staff presented the concept of a “union station” type facility at the site of the current Amtrak Station, which is located at 850 Pulaski Street, Columbia. This facility is owned by the City of Columbia and the parcel in front of the Amtrak Station is owned by SC State Credit Union. In order to pursue this site as an intermodal facility, approval from the City of Columbia is required. The City has also requested that the Vista Guild and the Vista Neighborhood Association to be involved in the process. While these associations are supportive of the concept, concerns exist about homeless, vehicle traffic and traffic from local and intercity buses. Should federal funds be used and for the facility to score well for competitive Federal grants, intercity and local buses would need to serve the facility. Should public opposition occur, it may be in the best interest to move the facility. The Amtrak station in Columbia is a steel structure, built in 1991. Amtrak moved the station to the current Pulaski Street location when the City of Columbia removed the rails and the Seaboard Air Line Railway trestle along Lincoln Street. The former Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station, built of red brick in 1903, still stands at Gervais Street. It was abandoned and then restored and made into a restaurant, the Blue Marlin. Greyhound and Southeastern Stages are located at 710 Buckner Rd, Columbia, SC 29203 and Megabus is located at Lucius Road @ Marlboro Street in Columbia. The nearest Blue Bike is at Lincoln Street @ Gervais Street. Transportation options are scattered throughout Columbia. Bus/Rail Intermodal facilities in the Southeast exist in North Charleston, SC, Durham, NC and Raleigh, NC are examples. Charlotte Gateway Station is under construction. Bus only intermodal facilities exist in Sumter, SC, Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC, Augusta, GA and Spartanburg, SC. The Amtrak route is below (within The COMET service area) and can show the potential of alternative locations where an Amtrak station could be constructed should the Pulaski Street site not be sustainable.




Since The COMET system is going to be studied, changes could occur and as a result, a hub and spoke transit system in Downtown may no longer not be needed. A large majority of the riders riding The COMET do not end in Downtown Columbia, they travel through, which means a centralized bus transfer facility is not needed, but a network of crosstown routes and/or satellite transit centers. Below is a list of all of the locations where multiple The COMET routes meet at various areas in the service area:

Transit Center COMET Central

1745 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

3, 6, 11, 12, 21, 26, 28, 42, 53X, 61, 74, 82X, 84, 92X, 93X, 101, 301, 401, 501, 701, 801, SWRTA Camden, Sumter Rte

SuperStop Koon Rd & Cody St 6012 N Main St #A, Columbia, SC 29203, USA

31, 32, 101, 301

SuperStop Columbia Place Mall 7201 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223, USA

53X, 55, 75, 501

SuperStop Colony Apartments 3545 W Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29203, USA

12, 22, 88

SuperStop Sam’s Club 5426 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206, USA

75, 76, 77, 701

SuperStop Village at Sandhill 481 Town Center Pl, Columbia, SC 29229, USA

55, 57L

SuperStop Killian Walmart 331 Killian Rd, Columbia, SC 29203, USA

53X, 57L

SuperStop Harbison Walmart 360 Harbison Blvd, Columbia, SC 29212, USA

82X, 83L, 93X, 801




SuperStop Alvin S Glenn Detention Centre

201 John Mark Dial Dr, Columbia, SC 29209, USA

47, 61, 62

SuperStop Crowson 715 Crowson Rd, Columbia, SC 29205, USA

21, 42, 45, 46, 47, 62, 88, 401

SuperStop Harden & Taylor 2018 Taylor St, Columbia, SC 29204 2, 12, 22, 42, 501, 701

SuperStop Dutch Square Center 1729 Broad River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210

83L, 84, 88, 801

SuperStop Garners Ferry Walmart

7520 Garners Ferry Rd, Columbia, SC 29209

45, 46, 47, 62, 88

SuperStop West Columbia Kmart

1500 Charleston Hwy, West Columbia, SC 29169

26, 28

In September of 2016, the Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) initiated a study to examine the opportunities that a Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) located in or around downtown Columbia would bring to the Central Midlands area. The study identified 22 potential sites for a new ITC in the City of Columbia. These 22 locations were examined by the Study Steering Committee and using a pre-defined set of site evaluation criteria, the sites were analyzed, and the highest ranking site was identified. An environmental analysis was performed for the top four ranking potential sites. No “fatal flaws” from an environmental perspective were found at any of the sites. These sites include:

• Existing Site – 1745 Sumter Street (Site 4 – Laurel & Sumter) • Alternative Site 1 – 2805 N. Main Street (Site 21 – Main & Anthony) • Alternative Site 2 – 2222 Main Street (Site 22 – Main & Scott) • Alternative Site 3 – 2001 Taylor Street (Site 14 – Taylor & Harden)




The Brownstone Group will be present at today’s Intermodal Committee meeting to hear comments regarding what should be included in the design of an intermodal facility. Staff will be releasing a request for proposals for a real estate agent to help search for property to construct an intermodal transportation center and a bus transit center. Fiscal Impacts: An intermodal facility could cost between $5 million and $15 million depending on size, design, engineering, land acquisition and construction costs. This project would be funded with FTA and local funds and owned by The COMET. Legal Counsel Review: None. Recommended Motion: None. Attachments: North Charleston Intermodal Facility For information regarding this staff report, please contact John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO at (803) 255-7087 or email [email protected]. Approved for Submission,

John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO



CHARLESTON AREA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY NORTH CHARLESTON REGIONAL

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION FACILITY

Public Information Meeting Danny Jones Recreation Complex Tuesday, July 14, 2015 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM: Sign In 6:15 PM – 6:30 PM: Project Presentation 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Open House

AGENDA • Welcome & Introductions • Project Update • Proposed Terminal Building • Conceptual Site Plan • Schedule & Next Steps

PROJECT UPDATE– MAJOR MILESTONES 1996: Feasibility Study/Site Selection

1997-2007: Project refinement, NEPA, land acquisition

2008: Phase I Construction of Infrastructure and P&R Lot

2009: Phase II Architectural Design & Engineering for Terminal Building

2010: State of Good Repair Grant Awarded for Phase II

2012: CSX rejects platform permit

without sidetrack; site is no longer

cost feasible

PROJECT UPDATE – SITE SELECTION

PROJECT UPDATE • Project Management and Ownership Transferred

from CARTA to City of North Charleston • Wannetta Mallette to serve as Project Manager • CARTA is funding 80% of $14.5M with FTA Grants • Local match funds provided by City of North

Charleston & Charleston County • Davis & Floyd continuing A/E Design • Updated Timeline with a Project Completion Date

of February 2017 • Reduced Building from 32,000 SF to 14,217 SF

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN PROGRESS • FTA Determination for Environmental Assessment

(EA) Class of Action: December 2014 • Target date for draft EA document available from FTA

for public comment: July/August 2015 • Target NEPA Completion Date: September 2015 • Construction Begins: December 2015 • Project Completion: February 1, 2017

PROPOSED INTERMODAL TERMINAL BUILDING Reduced Building From 32,000 SF to 14,217 SF

– Regional Intermodal Facility: Amtrak, Southeastern Stages, CARTA Local Bus Service

– Limited CARTA Office Space – Community Meeting Room – Historic Display Room

Tracks

Amtrak Suite & Waiting Area: 2,943 SF

CARTA: 1,063 SF SE Stages: 830 SF Meeting Room: 1,420 SF Historic Display: 622 SF

CONCOURSE & HISTORIC DISPLAY ROOM

• Photography Display Documenting Existing Amtrak Station in Concourse

• Scale Model of Existing Station • Historic Display Room for Liberty Hill

Interpretative Exhibits • Rotating Art Displays

EXISTING SITE

CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN - PREVIOUS

CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN

Replaced parking area with greenspace

Parking for 153 Vehicles: 119 (Short Term); 34 (Long Term)

TRAFFIC - IMPACTS

• Existing Traffic Counts: May 2014 – 1,800 vehicles/day (Gaynor Ave. b/w Amtrak

Station & Montague Avenue . – 193 (11%) are vehicles with 6+ tires or 3+ axles – AM Peak: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM – PM Peak: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Project Traffic: 12 Peak Hour Trips – CARTA: Up to 5 Employees – Amtrak: Up to 3 – SE Stages: Up to 2 Employees – Museum: Up to 2 Employees

• Bus Trips: – SE Stages 5 Buses per Day – CARTA: Up to 12 Buses per Hour

40% of Existing Traffic

60% of Existing

Traffic

TRAFFIC – VEHICLE CIRCULATION

Parking: Right Turn Exit Only

No Thru Traffic Signage & Speed Humps on Gaynor Avenue

TRAFFIC– BUS CIRCULATION

All CARTA & SE Stages Buses will be required to use Gaynor/Hock to/from Rivers/Meeting

PROJECT SCHEDULE/NEXT STEPS • A/E Design, NEPA, Property Acquisition: Underway- Sept. 2015 • Contract Bidding/Award: Oct. 2015- Dec. 2015 • Phased Construction: Dec. 2015 – Feb. 2017 • Next Public Meeting: Fall 2015

CHARLESTON AREA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY NORTH CHARLESTON REGIONAL

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION FACILITY

Open House

www.ridecarta.com/intermodal-facility Email: [email protected]



July 6, 2019 Agenda Item # 5A To: Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Board of Directors Intermodal Committee Members From: John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO Subject: Presentation from SCDOT Regarding Public Transit and Rail ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Requested Action: Staff recommends that the Intermodal Committee discuss an ideal intermodal facility with Brownstone Architecture and provide direction regarding an intermodal transit center development. Background and Summary: The primary objective of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Office of Public Transit (OPT) is to develop and coordinate a general public transportation program and policy for the State in order to encourage the efficient development, implementation, operation, evaluation, and monitoring of public transportation systems, both public and private. The Office of Public Transit, through a working relationship with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as well as Councils of Government (COGs), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), local governments, and transit providers develops and maintains an effective and efficient network of transportation services available to the public. The United States Department of Transportation, through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), provides a number of programs designed to assist in the provision of local public transportation services. FTA requires each state to have an approved State Management Plan (SMP) on file with their regional office. The intent of the South Carolina State Management Plan is to document the State’s mission, goals, policies, procedures and administrative guidelines for the FTA 49 U.S.C. Sections (§), 5310 (Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program), 5311 (Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program), 5311 (b)(3) (Rural Transit Assistance Program) and 5339 (Bus and Bus Facilities Program). The State Management Plan is updated regularly as federal information and/or state processes in administering the federal grants are updated or amended. SCDOT is South Carolina’s “State Rail Transportation Authority” as defined by the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). The South Carolina Statewide Rail Plan (SRP) was approved by the SCDOT Commission as part of the South Carolina Multimodal Transportation Plan on December 4, 2014. SCDOT ensures that the SRP documents the state’s policy on freight and passenger rail transportation within the State’s boundaries, establishes priorities and implementation strategies to enhance rail service in the public interest, and serves as the basis for Federal and State rail investment. The SRP was approved by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on April 13, 2015. SCDOT continues to work on implementation of the SRP to enhance the overall passenger and freight rail services in South Carolina. SCDOT has been invited to provide a presentation about its Department and role in public transit. Fiscal Impacts: None.




Legal Counsel Review: None. Recommended Motion: None. Attachments: SCDOT Rail Summary For information regarding this staff report, please contact John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO at (803) 255-7087 or email [email protected]. Approved for Submission,

John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO



2017 Rail Plan Implementation Update January 2018

SCDOT is South Carolina’s “State Rail Transportation Authority” as defined by the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). The South Carolina Statewide Rail Plan (SRP) was approved by the SCDOT Commission as part of the South Carolina Multimodal Transportation Plan on December 4, 2014. SCDOT ensures that the SRP documents the state’s policy on freight and passenger rail transportation within the State’s boundaries, establishes priorities and implementation strategies to enhance rail service in the public interest, and serves as the basis for Federal and State rail investment. The SRP was approved by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on April 13, 2015. SCDOT continues to work on implementation of the SRP to enhance the overall passenger and freight rail services in South Carolina

Operations for shortline railroads remained largely the same in 2017. Office of Railroads staff remained involved in planning activities related to rail access to a number of new facilities under construction, including Inland Port Dillon, the new Volvo manufacturing facility, and the Palmetto Railways’ proposed Intermodal Container Transfer Facility for dual rail access to the new Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr. Terminal under construction in North Charleston.

SCDOT, through our Office of Railroads, reviewed FRA Safety Grants for our Short Line Railroads for infrastructure improvement projects, and continues to analyze the needs of our short line railroads for potential application for competitive federal rail funding.

The Atlanta to Charlotte Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan (PRCIP), developed through a tri-state coordinated effort of Georgia DOT, NCDOT and SCDOT, with Georgia DOT leading the effort and SCDOT a non-funding partner, is 90% completed with full completion anticipated by the end of 2018. The PRCIP, including a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), is an extension of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR) that is under development from Charlotte to Washington, D.C. The extension from Charlotte would travel through South Carolina to Atlanta.

FRA selected the Southeast region for a fully-funded, USDOT-led, Southeast Multi-State Rail Planning Study in July 2015. This effort continues and will facilitate coordination with neighboring states and will assist with funding for freight and passenger rail projects in the Southeast. SCDOT serves as a member of the project Steering Committee, and participated in all quarterly meeting in 2017. The anticipated completion date for the Plan is the second quarter of 2018

SCDOT continues to participate in a leadership role in the Southeast Rail Forum that is planning its 2nd meeting in March 2018. This is a regional forum of FRA, six Southeastern states, and numerous rail stakeholders. The purpose of the forum is to bring attention to the economic benefits of freight and passenger rail and efforts made among states to coordinate a collective vision for rail transportation in the Southeast. This bi-annual meeting is scheduled for March 27-28, 2018 in Greenville, SC.

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