Main agenda items:
- 9 new members
- Organizational issues
- Reports on ADOT and MAG study efforts
Archive Page 2
The current membership of the coalition consists 24 organizations and individuals. Seventeen people attend the meeting including two potential new members (John Gale, ARPA and Maricopa County AQD, and Gene Holmerud, Coalition of AZ Bicyclists) Calendar:
- August TBD, 2007 - Core Project Team Meeting
- September 28, 2007 - SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium
- November TBD, 2007 - SWRC Coalition (Full Team) Meeting
The following items were discussed during the meeting.
- Smyth reported that Gannett Fleming, Sonoran Institute, and Copper Basin Railway have joined the coalition.
- Smyth lead a discussion on increasing the professional standing of the Coalition.
- Smyth reported on a meeting of SWRC, ARPA, FOT, and AzTA. Each group identified it mission and area of interest. It was concluded at this meeting that SWRC should move forward as an independent organization working closely with the other three.
- Smyth introduced Eric Emmert, Dorn Policy Group. Dorn Policy is a Public Affairs company and they have indicated the intent of taking the SWRC Coalition on as a client. Details need to be worked out.
- Emmert drafted a Strategy Document for the Coalition. This document and the SWRC Project Charter will be merged and updated over the next few month.
- The Coalition needs to generate some funding. To this end the Coalition has requested financial assistance from FOT and AzTA. The FOT and AzTA have taken the requests under consideration.
- Smyth presented a brochure that David Schwartz help developed. Input was requested. Smyth will finalize the brochure by June 25th and have it printed.
- Smyth reminded the Coalition about the September 28, 2007 Rail Symposium. A draft program was distributed. The four out of state speakers have been contacted and agreed to attend. Formal invite letter have been mailed. For the Arizona panel 4 of the 6 panelist have agreed to attend.
- Scott Friedson, ADOT reported that the “State of Arizona 2007 Railroad Inventory and Assessment” is complete and will be available to the public after Friedson makes a presentation to Victor Mendez, ADOT Director. Also, Friedson reported that Phase 1 of the “Phoenix-Tucson High Speed Strategic Plan is complete but not available to the public. A primary conclusion of the Phase 1 report is that the Phoenix-Tucson rail passenger corridor should be parallel to the current Union Pacific alignment through Coolidge.
- Scott Friedson reported on the status of ADOT’s response to the Governor’s Executive Order on Transportation Options. The report is still with ADOT and the Governor has not set a date for the report to be delivered to her. Several members of the Coalition who have contacts with the Governor’s staff indicated that the Governor is waiting until the legislature is out of session before she has the report sent to her. This is consistent with what Shannon Scutari, Governor’s staff, told several members of the Coalition that met with here. Scutari indicated it would be mid to late July when the report is delivered. At this point ADOT can not provide any of the report to the public. The SWRC will continue to stay in contact with ADOT and the Governor’s office.
- Rob Bohannan (for Kevin Wallace, MAG) reported that the MAG Commuter Rail Strategic Plan is moving along. The key element at this time is stakeholder input. The first stakeholders meeting was held on May 1, 2007. The next meeting is scheduled for June 28th at the Mesa Convention Center. Each stakeholder from the first meeting was asked to identify 3-4 other stakeholders to be invited to the June 28th meeting. There should be several hundred people at this meeting. Bohannan encouraged all that were interested to contact MAG and attend the meeting.
Second Annual AzTA/ARPA/SWRC Rail Symposium: Arizona Commuter Rail
Published June 16th, 2007 in Events.SAVE THE DATE
When: Friday, September 28, 2007
7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Tempe Mission Palms
60 E. Fifth Street, Tempe, Arizona
What: Learn about commuter and high speed rail in Arizona and other western states. Speakers invited from California, Washington State, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona
Hosted by the Arizona Transit Association (AzTA) in coordination with the Arizona Rail Passenger Association (ARPA) and the Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition (SWRC).
The Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition is now a member of the T.I.M.E (Transportation and Infrastructure Moving Arizona’s Economy) Coalition.
The SWRC Coalition welcomes our new members,
- Sonoran Institute
- Copper Basin Railway
The next meeting of the Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition is set for Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Please provide any additions to the agenda to Jay Smyth by June 18th.
Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition Meeting
June 20, 2007
AGENDA (Draft)
- New Coalition members - Jay Smyth
Gannett Fleming
Sonoran Institute
Copper Basin Railway
Get cities/local governments to join
Get businesses to join
- Increasing the professional standing of the Coalition - Jay Smyth
a) Report on meeting of AzTA, FOT, ARPA, and SWRC
b) Introduction of Eric Emmert, Dorn Policy Group, Inc.
c) New SWRC brochure
- Planning for September 28, 2007 SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium - Jay Smyth
- Report from ADOT - TBD
a) State of Arizona 2007 Railroad Inventory & Assessment
b) Phoenix to Tucson High Speed Strategic Plan
- Governor’s Executive Order 2007-02, Expanding Arizona’s Transportation Options
- Status of ADOT report per the Executive Order - TBD
- SWRC meeting with Shannon Scutari, Governor’s office - Jay Smyth and Mike Garey
- Report on MAG Commuter Rail Strategic Plan - Kevin Wallace
- Amtrak in Arizona - Mike Garey
- Update of Project Charter by identifying key issues - Jay Smyth
- Future Events
* August TBD, 2007 Core Project Team Meeting
* September 28 2007 - SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium
* November TBD, 2007 SWRC Coalition (full team)
Harrisburg-Philadelphia Rail Line
Phoenix-Tucson Rail Line
March 2007 – Passenger Rail Corridor Profile Comparison
|
|
Harrisburg-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Phoenix-Tucson, Arizona (pre-2012) |
Phoenix-Tucson, Arizona (Projected 2012) |
|
Corridor Distance |
104 miles |
121 miles |
121 miles |
|
Corridor Host Railroad |
Norfolk Southern Railway |
Union Pacific Railroad |
Union Pacific Railroad |
|
Corridor Built (date) |
1834 |
1880-1925-1964 |
1880-1925-1964 |
|
Improvement Commencement |
2001 |
N/A |
2008-2012 |
|
Population in Corridor |
5,800,000+ |
4,000,000+ |
5,000,000+ |
|
Daily Passenger Trains |
12 weekday round trips 6 weekend round trips |
Thrice Weekly Service Tucson-Maricopa segment |
7 weekday round trips 3-5 weekend round trips |
|
Ridership (Monthly) |
72,100 (June 2006) |
2,500-5,000 |
50,000 (March 2012) |
|
Stations in Corridor |
21 stations |
4 stations |
8 stations |
|
Fare Structure |
$12-26 (round trip) |
$18-36 (round trip) Tucson-Maricopa segment |
$25-40 (round trip)
|
|
Passenger Rail Speed |
110mph (Oct 30, 2006) from 90mph |
79mph max |
45-79-90mph (Phoenix) 90-110mph (Gila) |
|
Trip Duration (one way) |
1 hour; 45 minutes (105 minutes) |
90 mins to 3 hours (86-mile segment Tucson-Maricopa) |
1 hour; 46 minutes (106 minutes) |
|
Daily Freight Trains |
12+ |
10+ freights (Phoenix) 45+ freights (Gila Main) |
20+ freights (Phoenix) 60-100 freights (Gila Main) |
|
Signaling |
Improved CTC signals New electronics-fib-optics 2-dozen signal-houses |
CTC and DTC ABS |
CTC |
|
Type of Locomotive Power |
Electric Overhead Catenary |
Conventional Diesel (90mph) |
Advanced Diesel (110mph) |
|
Grade Crossings |
4+(due for grade separation) |
78 grade crossings |
120 grade crossings |
|
Capital Improvements |
Push-pull electric trains 200 miles of welded rail 216,000 concrete ties 48,000 wood ties 52 new switches |
UPRR Double Track project improvement for 47-mile Tucson-Picacho segment, new CTC. (2007-2009) Welded rail for Phoenix Line curves. (2007-2008) |
Possible construction of a single, dedicated mainline for passenger rail in segments between Phoenix and Tucson. (Triple-track Picacho-Tucson) |
|
Finance Structure for Passenger Rail |
$145 million Upgrade to existing infrastructure |
None available |
$600 million -$1 billion |
|
State (PennDOT) |
$14.5 million |
N/A |
TBD State Funding (ADOT) |
|
Federal |
N/A |
N/A |
TBD (USDOT) |
|
Amtrak |
N/A |
N/A |
TBD (Amtrak) |
|
Norfolk Southern |
$2 million |
N/A |
TBD (Union Pacific) |
SWRC Coalition Core Project Team Meeting
March 22, 2007
Minutes
Present: Pearsall, Schwartz, Bohannan, Milroy, Garey and Smyth
Absent: Veidt and Herr-Cardillo
Calendar:
- April 19-20, 2007 - AzTA Annual Meeting in Sedona
- May TBS, 2007 - SWRC Coalition (full team) meeting in Tucson
- June/July - SWRC Core Project Team meeting
- Fall 2007 - SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium
- April 2-3, 2008 - AzTA Annual Meeting in Tucson
The following items were discussed during the meeting.
- Smyth reported that Gannett Fleming has joined the Coalition. This brings the Coalition membership to 20 organizations and individuals. There was discussion on getting cities and businesses to join the Coalition. No action was proposed. Note: With Tom Fisher leaving PAG, John Liosatos will be the PAG representative to the Coalition.
- Smyth reported that the Coalition participated in the AzTA Legislative Day. With the assistance of Valley Metro, two poster boards and a handout (brochure) were developed and produced for inclusion in the event. Approximately 100 legislators attended the event.
- Smyth reported on increasing the professional standing of the coalition. Smyth continued to talk to FOT, AzTA, and the Dorn Policy Group, Inc. FOT will support the Coaliltions goals, but will not take a lead role. They will concentrate their efforts in Maricopa County. AzTA want to include the Coalition in their agenda, discussions are on going. The Dorn Policy Group is interested in taking the Coalition on as a client, discussions continue. In the meantime David Schwartz offered to produce some PR material for the Coalition.
- Pearsall reported that the ADOT response to the Governor’s executive order is on schedule to be delivered to the Governor by April 3, 2007. There will be several passenger rail components in the report. Smyth reported on two public meeting held in Tucson and Phoenix. The meetings were well attended and passenger rail was the primary discussion. The support for passenger rail was very positive.
- Pearsall reported that the State of Arizona Railroad Inventory and Assessment is near completion and should be made public in early April.
- Pearsall reported that the MAG Commuter Rail Study is underway and the first report is due in Fall 2007.
- Pearsall completed the comparison between Phila-Harrisburg, PA and Tucson-Phoenix. See attachment.
- Smyth reported that the AzTA board of director have accepted the program for the 2nd Annual SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Rail Symposium. The program was developed by ADOT and the SWRC Coalition. AzTA will handle the meeting logistics, ADOT will obtain the out of state speakers. SWRC and ADOT will obtain the instate speakers. The symposium will be September 28, 2007 at the Tempe Mission Palms. The approved program is attached.
- Smyth continues to collect input on the Coalition key issues which will lead to an update of the Project Charter
Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition Meeting
January 25, 2007
Minutes
Present: Haswell (ARPA, OPT), Lindley (ARPA), Wallace (MAG), Leister (CAAG), Pearsall (ADOT), Gobelle (PB Americas), Dorwart (Stantec), Milroy (Gannett Fleming), Thomas (self), Preising (ARPA), Collins (HDR), Singelakis (Tucson DOT), Caywood (ARPA, OPT), and Smyth (Coordinator). Plus three special quests: Steve Farley, Rep Dist 28, Jackie Thrasher, Rep Dist 10, and Lena Saradnik, Rep Dist 26.
Calendar:
- February 21, 2007 - AzTA Legislative Conference
- March 9, 2007 - FOT Annual Conference
- March 22, 2007 - Core Project Team Meeting
- May TBD, 2007 - SWRC Coalition (Full Team) Meeting
- Fall 2007 - SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium
The following items were discussed during the meeting.
- Smyth introduce the following new Coalition members - Arizona Department of Transportation, Goodman-Schwartz, Pima Association of Governments, and Tucson Department of Transportation
- Smyth reported on several meetings the Coalition leadership participated in.
- Smyth lead a discussion on increasing the professional standing of the Coalition. Two options were discussed; 1) Working closer with AzTA or FOT, using their professional staff to assist in marketing the idea of passenger rail along the SWRC and meeting the right people to get support for the SWRC, or 2) Bringing on board an Executive Director with the ability to market the SWRC and has connection to people to support the SWRC. Eric Emmert, Dorn Policy Group, Inc. has shown some interest. Smyth and the Core Team will continue to work this issue.
- Smyth reported that planning for the Fall 2007 SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium will start soon. Smyth to meet with Jim Dickey, ADOT to develop theme and outline program.
- Smyth reported that the Rural Transportation Summit coordinated by Bill Leister, GAAG was very successful. The summit was very friendly to passenger rail. Jim Dickey unveiled ADOTs goal of developing passenger between Phoenix and Tucson by Febrary 14, 2012.
- Smyth provided a summary of rail planning/thinking for the four counties in the Coalition as provide by the COGs. Then each COG discussed passenger rail efforts in the area.
- YMPO - Mack Luckie was absent
- MAG Kevin Wallace discussed the status of the MAG Commuter Rail Strategic Plan. The effort covers most of Maricopa County and the north east portion of Pinal County down to Eloy. MAG and the consultants are finalizing the work statement and the effort should begin by the end of January. The first phase is one year. If phase one is positive they will proceed to phase two, developing the implementation plan for commuter rail along corridors identified in phase 1.
- CAAG - Bill Leister stated the Pinal is a bit behind MAG, but are an active part of MAG’s Commuter Rail Strategic Plan
- PAG - Tom Fisher was absent, and Gene Caywood reported for Fisher that PAG is serious about commuter rail in the Tucson area and are currently looking at this mode of transportation.
- Pearsall reported that the State of Arizona Railroad Inventory & Assessment is on schedule and a report on CD will be available March 1, 2007. He also reported on the Governor’s Executive Order, Expanding Arizona’s Transportation Options (all present were provided a copy) in which passenger rail is a key element. As part of the response to the Governor’s directive in the Executive Order ADOT will be developing a Phoenix to Tucson High Speed Strategic Plan. A request for bid to develop the Strategic Plan went out late January with a quick turn time. Consultants will be selected in February with initial input by early April. By October 2007 it will be determined if the Phoenix to Tucson passenger rail service is a go or no-go.
- Steve Farley lead the discussion as to the legislatures support of commuter rail and passenger rail between Phoenix and Tucson. The three legislators in attendance are very supportive of passenger rail and will be working with other legislators to support passenger rail. They will be following the Governor’s lead and bring the necessary bills to the legislators when it is appropriate. Two action items developed out of this discussion. 1) The coalition directed the Project Core team to call a meeting of FOT, AzTA, ARPA, and SWRC Coalition, and develop a common position on commuter and passenger rail between Tucson and Phoenix. Smyth and Schwartz will address this. 2) The legislators asked the SWRC Coalition to analysis the members of the House Transportation Committee in the area of who supports them. Then go talk to their supports about passenger rail. Smyth with discuss this with Schwartz
- Smyth reported that the Core Team is updating the Project Charter by first identifying the key issues.
Jay R. Smyth, PhD, PRP
Coordinator, SWRC Coalition
swrc2007brochure.pdf (2 pages, 56K, PDF)