The SWRC Coalition welcomes our new members,
- Sonoran Institute
- Copper Basin Railway
Archive Page 3
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)
The next meeting of the Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition is set for Thursday, January 25, 2007, 1:30 to 3:15 PM. Please provide any additions to the agenda to Jay Smyth by January 22nd.
SWRC Coalition Core Project Team Meeting
December 14, 2006
Minutes
Present: Pearsall, Schwartz, Veidt, Bohannan, Milroy, and Smyth
Absent: Tevlin, Garey, and Herr-Cardillo
Calendar:
- January 18, 2007 – Rural Transportation Summit
- January TBD, 2007 – SWRC Coalition (Full Team) Meeting
- February TBD, 2007 – Core Project Team Meeting
- February 21 2007 – AzTA Legislative Conference
- March 2007 – FOT Annual Conference
- Fall 2007 – SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium
The following items were discussed during the meeting. Action Items are included below.
Andrew Singelakis, Tucson Deputy Director of Transportation
SWRC Coalition Core Project Team Meeting
October 26, 2006
Minutes
Present: Pearsall, Garey, Veidt, Bohannan, Milroy, and Smyth
Absent: Tevlin, Schwartz, and Herr-Cardillo
Calendar:
December TBD, 2006 – Core Project Team Meeting
January/February TBD, 2007 – SWRC Coalition (Full Team) Meeting
February 2007 – AzTA Legislative Conference
March 2007 – FOT Annual Conference
Fall 2007 – SWRC/ARPA/AzTA Passenger Rail Symposium
The following items were discussed during the meeting. Action Items are included below. Continue reading ‘Minutes, 26 October 2006 Meeting’