Presented by:Presented by:

MaineDOTMaineDOT

HNTBHNTB

Morris CommunicationsMorris Communications

December 7, 2009December 7, 2009

AgendaWelcome/ Purpose of State Rail Plan

Nathan Moulton, Project Manager, MaineDOTState Rail Plan Presentation

Recap of TAC & Public Comments, Carol Morris, Morris Communications

Key Findings, Draft Prioritization Criteria, Draft Vision Dennis Coffey, HNTB

Funding Review and Draft Recommendations, Ray Tomczak, HNTB

Next Steps, Carol Morris

Purpose of State Rail PlanWhat the Plan will provide:

Identification of critical rail corridors in MaineMethodology to prioritize rail projects in MaineRecommended actions to enhance the rail systemA list of possible projects that could qualify for federal

funding opportunities over the next five yearsA list of creative funding opportunities for Maine to

exploreFlexibility, yet clear direction

Purpose of State Rail PlanWhat the Plan will not provide:

Commitment to funding for specific projects Recommendations on new funding streamsA list of specific projects that will be funded

Public OutreachCarol Morris, Facilitator

Public Meeting Times & LocationsRecap of Commonly Heard Public Comments

Public MeetingsExpanded to include Presque Isle &

Lewiston/AuburnOne remaining round of meetings:

Portland, South Portland Community Center: December 7Bangor, Bangor Motor Inn: December 8 Lewiston/Auburn, Museum L-A, 35 Canal Street, Bates Mill

Complex: December 14Presque Isle, University of Presque Isle: December 15

Public CommentsMy region wants passenger railMy region needs better/more/some freight serviceMy region needs track upgradesMy region needs/deserves these things more than

any other in MaineThe State should focus rail investment in key areas

Public CommentsENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Economic development potential should be key to

investment decisionsEconomic development is needed to support building

rail infrastructureA return on the public investment in rail lines should

be measurablePublic investment should require something back

from beneficiaries

Public CommentsPROVIDE GREATER FOCUSLeverage infrastructure that is already in placeFocus investment in just a few critical locations – do

not scatter it everywhereAssess benefit/cost/potential of rail corridors before

investingIdentify central rail facilities and ship the rest via

truck

Public CommentsDON’T FORGET “THE BIG PICTURE”Continue to improve Maine’s regional freight/land

use planning & economic development coordinationMake rail investments that tie into New England and

Canadian plansPosition Maine to take advantage of Class 1 &

regional rail improvements elsewhere in the US and Canada by utilizing 286,000 gross weight capacity/Class 3 track speed

Public CommentsFREIGHT RAILMaine needs container-train corridorsFreight rail shipping needs to be more reliable in terms

of delivery time, cost, and reducing product damagesFreight rail shipping needs better connectivityBusiness community needs to promise more freight

rail utilizationDiversification of shippers is necessary to expand

freight rail usageImprove freight partnerships with existing and

potential manufacturers, big business, and others

Public CommentsPASSENGER RAILStrong support for current & future Downeaster intercity

passenger rail serviceExplore commuter rail opportunities radiating outward from

Portland

REGIONAL Maintain the state’s forest industryPreserve service on the MM&A proposed abandonmentGrow L-A’s intermodal facilityOTHEREnhanced shipper outreach is necessaryGreater public interaction is needed in order for public to

support/understand additional rail funding

TAC and Public Suggested CriteriaSeek greatest public return on investmentPriority for shared use rail linesMultimodal: Integrate other transportation modesFocus investments on Maine, NE & Canada rail plan

priorities Ability to attract new business & retain existing

customersEconomic development impacts are keyInvest in projects that will improve the volume of goods

and number of people movedFocus rail investment on areas where capacity &

reliability intersectCongestion mitigation

Rail SystemDennis Coffey, HNTB,

Rail Task LeaderKey FindingsPrioritization CriteriaFunding Review

Identified TrendsChanging markets: reduced demand for rail

shipmentsDeclining tonnage shipped by rail reduced railroads’

income and ability to operate/maintain the systemNorth-South routes affected by multiple rail carriers East-West routes are primarily through-trafficTrucking dominates the region, offering timely

service – flexibility

Current SituationRailroads are highly capital-intensiveTough for rail industry to make quick improvements

to enhance market share

Source: AAR. Included in the Northeast Rail Operations (NEROps) Phase 1 Study

Northeast rail freight tonnage

Source: Northeast Rail Operations (NEROps) Phase 1 Study

Current SituationPulp & paper industry still

dominant for railRail traffic density centered

in south central ME

Current SituationDeferred maintenance on tracksIncreasing State of Maine ownership Limited heavy axle car loading available –

“286” Two double stack clearance routes

SLR, Portland to New Hampshire MMA, Searsport to Quebec province

Current SituationNo Class 1 RRs in ME and most of New

England means:Added cost of multiple interchangesTrack speeds lower and time to market takes

longerService not as robust as customers would prefer

Source: Atlantic Institute for Market Study Presentation

Regional Connectivity Important!

Source: Northeast Rail Operations Study, Phase II

NS, CP, PAS and PAR Accessible Corridors

North-East Regional Connectivity

Maritime Canada key partnerSt. John link criticalNBSR & MMA through routesPotential for greater truck to rail diversion?

Source: Atlantic Canada Transportation Strategy 2008 - 2018

North-East Regional Connectivity

Current Situation – Passenger Rail

Downeaster – one of the most successful new Amtrak services nationwide!

Ridership is stableNeed to find right funding

balance for:OperationsMaintenance Capital/service improvements

Looking Ahead Critical Corridor Approach

Corridors provide concentration of services Corridors connect multimodal gatewaysGateways connect Maine to global trade partnersPorts & Terminals are the nodes that feed gatewaysCorridors provide best opportunity for multimodal synergyInvestment in corridor services promote density, efficiency

& synergyCorridors provide biggest “bang for the buck”

Strategic Vision – Passenger RailMaine’s passenger rail system is fully integrated with the North American passenger rail system, and includes high-speed passenger, intercity and commuter rail.

Passenger Rail ObjectivesInsure safety and security Enhance quality of services and markets servedLink to smart growth development practices Plan high-speed passenger rail expansions connecting to

US and Canadian pointsProtect critical corridors for future commuter needsCoordinate passenger and freight rail requirementsEstablish predictable funding source for operations,

maintenance and expansion

Strategic Vision – Freight RailMaine’s freight rail system is fully integrated with the North American rail freight system and enables its’ businesses to reach current and future markets and sources with timely and reliable services.

Freight Rail ObjectivesEnhance services to key industriesEncourage product diversity and traffic densityDevelop and expand multimodal connectionsEnhance interchange between railroadsSupport community & regional economic

development strategies

Freight Rail ObjectivesProjects must result in:

Partnerships – cost sharingCommunity benefitsExpanded job baseSustainable business model Environmentally sound investments

Prioritization CriteriaTwo-Tiered Assessment

Tier 1: Prioritize critical rail corridorsTier 2: Prioritize critical projects

Evaluate criticality of corridor network Focused analysis on specific cost/benefitsUse measurable basis for assessments

Tier 1 – Corridor Screening CriteriaGeneral assessment of corridors

Enhance passenger/freight mobility Maintain/enhance service to key industries Coordinate with New England/Canadian

enhancements

Tier 2 – Project Evaluation CriteriaCriteria builds on existing IRAP criteria, asking if the

project:Shows a sufficient cost/benefit ratio to justify expenditure

of public fundsHas a positive effect on continuous and productive

improvement of rail serviceShows transportation and logistics cost savingsHas a positive effect on employment and economic

development opportunities for rail users and communities

Tier 2…Project Criteria continuedIncludes a high level of new investment and private cost

sharingIncreases intermodal efficiencies and opportunitiesShows potential to divert freight/passengers to rail Shows a positive short and/or long-range effect on

emissions (GHG), highway congestion and/or safety Supports and enhances state and regional land use and

sustainable development policiesGenerates support from the public and private sectors

Funding Review & Draft RecommendationsRay Tomczak, HNTB, Consultant Team Project

Manager

Maine Transportation BondCritical Rail Corridors (new program) – $2 million

Intended to encourage public-private partnershipsExpected to leverage $2 million in private investment

Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP) – $1 millionFor matching grants to private businesses for freight rail

infrastructure upgradesIRAP investment will leverage $1 million in private or local

investment

State-owned rail lines – $1 millionFor capital upgrades to state-owned rail lines

ARRA Federal Grant RequestsHigh Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR)

Downeaster Corridor - $53 million – capacity and geometric improvements to reduce transit time and increase reliability

Brunswick Extension - $39 million -- track rehabilitation of freight lines to extend Amtrak operations to Brunswick

Transportation Investments to Generate Economic Recovery (TIGER)$23 million – acquisition and rehabilitation of Madawaska Subdivision$57 million - reconnect the Port of Eastport to the North American rail

network$28 million -- restore abandoned Mountain Division line connecting Portland

to Fryeburg for freight and passenger services

Other Potential State FundingSTAR (State, Transit, Aviation and Rail)

Transportation Fund - Disbursements can be used for:Purchasing, operating, maintaining, improving, repairing,

constructing and managing STAR Transportation Fund assets including buildings, structures & equipment

Award of Federal funds for rail projects may “free up” STAR funds for other purposes

Funding Review Best practices review ongoing

Federal practicesState practices Local / regional practices

Amtrak Downeaster Funding2008 Annual budget of $13.5 million:

$6 million Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant

$1.5 million subsidy from the state$6 million in fare revenue

CMAQ exemption allows Maine to use the funds for the Downeaster Maine has received an extension of this exemption through

mid-December 2009Major Issue: Need long term funding

Proposed Initiatives

Potential Passenger Rail Initiatives

(2010 to 2020)Intercity Passenger Rail Services:

Brunswick extensionLewiston/Auburn extensionPortland passenger terminal locationsBoston-Portland corridor improvements to enhance travel

time and reliabilityCommuter Rail:

Identify and protect key corridorsExpand corridor planning at local & regional level

Source: A Regional Context for Intercity Passenger Rail Improvements in the Northeast

Potential Intercity Passenger Rail Projects

Source: Northeast Rail Operations Study, Phase II, August, 2009

Source: A Regional Context for Intercity Passenger Rail Improvements in the Northeast

Over 80% of Northeast population lives within 25 miles of intercity rail!

Opportunities for TRANSIT

Potential Freight Initiatives Bangor-Searsport corridorLewiston/Auburn – inland port enhancementsCritical Freight Corridors Criteria:

State of good repair286k carload capacityDouble-stack – intermodal enhancements

Possible improvements to state-owned rail corridorsEastport Lewiston Lower/Rockland BranchMountain Division

Acquisition of rights-of-way

Potential Freight Rail Projects

Source: Northeast Rail Operations Study, Phase II, August, 2009

State Railroad Segment Project Description

Draft Recommended ActionsFREIGHTProtect critical rail corridors (state acquisition as required)Develop approach to address 286k & double stack

capacity Establish predictable and vigorous maintenance program

on state-owned rail linesDevelop stable funding for IRAP, FRIP, etc., and to match

federal fundsCoordinate with regional partners to create national trade

corridors connecting Maine

Draft Recommended ActionsPASSENGERExpand intercity services north of Portland to both

Brunswick & Lewiston/AuburnImplement improvements in Boston-Portland corridor Assess regional commuter rail needsAct on analysis for Portland passenger terminalsDevelop stable funding sourcesInitiate regional coordination for high-speed rail planning

Draft Recommended ActionsCROSS-CUTTINGIdentify strategies to enhance and integrate economic

development, land use, & multi-modal transportation Evaluate air quality impacts for rail transportation

improvementsConsolidate unnecessary grade crossings and/or

continue to improve their safety

Next StepsComplete public meetings Additional public/TAC inputContinue freight shipper interviewsDevelop rail corridor carload volumes Conduct critical rail corridor screening Submit draft report January 2010Study finalized mid to late Winter 2010 - available at

www.maine.gov/mdot