Table of Contents. Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

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3 Table of Contents I. Project Description... 2 a. Project Overview...2 b. Project Location...3 c. Challenges...4 d. International, National, and Regional Significance...4 e. No-build Ramifications...6 II. Project Parties... 6 III. Grant Funds and Sources/Uses of Project Funds... 6 IV. Selection Criteria... 7 a. Long Term Outcomes...7 i. State of Good Repair...8 ii. Economic Competitiveness...9 iii. Livable Communities iv. Environmental Sustainability v. Safety b. Job Creation and Near-Term Economic Activity c. Innovation d. Partnership e. Benefits Cost Analysis V. Project Readiness and NEPA a. Project Schedule: b. NEPA Environmental Approvals c. Legislative Approvals d. State and Local Planning e. Technical Feasibility f. Financial Feasibility VI. Federal Wage Rate Certification VII. Changes to Pre-Application Submittal Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector TOC

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5 PICKAWAY EAST-WEST CONNECTOR AT A GLANCE Rickenbacker Inland Port is a global multi-modal logistics hub and key gateway location for the distribution of goods throughout the United States. Located within one day s drive of more than 60 percent of the U.S. and Canadian populations and U.S. manufacturing base, Rickenbacker is an anchor to the global supply chain. The Pickaway East-West Connector ( The Project ) is the last piece of the Rickenbacker infrastructure puzzle that addresses access and the efficient movement of goods across the nation. The Pickaway East-West Connector is a rural Central Ohio project which will leverage state and private investments to realign and widen 3.75 miles of state roadway, install two roundabouts, and provide grade separation over 2 Class I railroads for increased efficiency and safety within economically distressed Pickaway County. Figure 1: Strategic Location In accordance with USDOT s goal of investing in transportation infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits for the nation, the Pickaway East-West Connector Project meets the TIGER selection criteria as follows: State of Good Repair: Alleviates the tremendous spike in Average Daily Traffic (ADT) along State Route 762 and Ashville Pike which are projected to increase by 1,213% and 1,469%, respectively (20 year period). Economic Competitiveness: Supports Rickenbacker s projected growth of 12,000 new jobs over the next 30 years. Livability: Addresses the projected commute time increase in economically distressed Pickaway County (i.e., 7 minutes to 50 minutes by 2030 without improvements). Sustainability: Reduces CO 2 emissions by 16M Kg over the life of the project. Safety: Addresses a corridor injury crash rate of 35% over a 3 year time period. Job Creation and Near-term Economic Activity: Generates 174 direct and 99 indirect jobs. Figure 2: Proposed Pickaway East West Funding Matrix Funding Source Amount Match % State & Private Funding $ 6,947,666 28% Federal Appropriations $ 2,000,000 8% Requested TIGER III Funds $ 16,110,624 64% Total Project Cost (with inflation) $ 25,058, % Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 1

6 I. Project Description a. Project Overview The Pickaway East-West Connector Project consists of the following project activities that will realign and widen 3.75 miles of state roadway, install two roundabouts, and provide grade separation over 2 Class I railroads. I. Ashville Pike This portion of the project begins at the intersection of Ashville Pike and Rickenbacker Parkway ( , ) where the first of two roundabouts will be constructed. From this point, the reconstruction of 1.5 miles of Ashville Pike continues in a southwardly direction to Duvall Road. The second roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Ashville Pike and Duvall Rd. ( , ). II. Duvall Road This portion of the project consists of a 2.25 mile long road widening project which begins at Ashville Pike at latitude & longitude , moves westerly.04 miles along State Route 762 (Duvall Road), and relocates a portion of Duvall Road south of its current alignment. A grade separation for State Route 762 over two Class 1 railroads (CSX & NS) will be constructed at latitude & longitude to replace the existing at-grade crossing. The project then connects back into the current alignment of Duvall Road. Widening continues for another 2.14 miles and ends at U.S. Route 23, a four-lane north-south highway that connects into the national interstate system at Latitude and longitude Figure 3: Project Alignment Page 2 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

7 b. Project Location The Pickaway East-West Connector project is located in rural Central Ohio 12 miles south of Columbus, Ohio. The profile of the community is predominantly agricultural with mixed industry. It is also an economically distressed area with the Figure 4: Project Map southern boundary being the gateway to Appalachia. Over the past 15 years, the area surrounding Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) has rapidly transitioned from a former U.S. Air Force Base to an international multimodal cargo airport, a U.S. Foreign Trade Zone, a freight distribution hub, and a major economic engine of the Central Ohio region. The Norfolk Southern Intermodal Facility (IMF), which opened in March 2008, spurred development of new distribution facilities on the port s south side, illustrating the rapid rate of economic development. Rickenbacker provides Central Ohio and Midwestern businesses with an intermodal transportation system to move their products efficiently to/from other markets. The facility provides a direct link for international freight shipping to the deep-water port in Norfolk, Virginia, through the Heartland Corridor (NS railroad improvement project for double-stack freight trains between the East Coast and the Midwest). This unique feature has effectively created an inland port in Central Ohio and will allow it to take advantage of the increased capacity of the Panama Canal expansion. The transportation network in the immediate vicinity is ill-equipped to handle the increased commercial traffic resulting from the completion of the Heartland Corridor project. Transportation improvements have not kept pace with the economic development and growth that have transpired at Rickenbacker and Table 1 below illustrates The Project s key challenges and proposed mitigation strategies. Figure 5: Rickenbacker Facts Rickenbacker Inland Port Fast Facts 12 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio Within a one day drive of 60% of the U.S. population and the U.S. manufacturing capacity. International cargo-dedicated airport with two 12,000-foot runways Handled over 69,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2010 Rail intermodal terminal is on schedule to complete 150,000 loads this year NS Heartland Corridor Project provides double-stack rail service to/from Port of Norfolk, Virginia More than 38 million square feet of industrial development, employing over 12,000 workers Host to cargo airlines, logistics companies, retailers, corporate aviation, manufacturers, distribution centers and trucking companies of the intermodal facility Active Foreign Trade Zone #138 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 3

8 c. Challenges Table 1: Challenges & Mitigation Strategies Challenges Duke Realty stated in 2008 that at least four distribution center projects totaling 3.2 million ft^2 were lost. Roadway congestion was a key determinant in the site selector s decision to locate elsewhere. Reduction in traveler delay - currently, no roadway exists on the southwest side of Rickenbacker that can support the increased traffic volumes. Heavy trucks must navigate narrow weight restricted local roads and make frequent starts and stops, which expend fuel during idling and starting-up, and increases travel times to reach the U.S. Route 23 corridor. Lack of mobility for an economically disadvantaged population. As freight traffic increases, the at-grade train crossing causes truck traffic stoppages which threaten to undermine the freight efficiencies and investments within the entire Heartland Corridor. A bottleneck has developed at a road/rail at-grade intersection which feeds the intermodal facility by rail and truck. As a result, freight trucks and passenger vehicles are stalled and idle for up to an hour. Freight and goods movement delays of up to an hour which results in safety and operational inefficiencies. Safety - Currently the intersection of Ashville Pike and Duvall Rd. is experiencing an intersection crash rate of 5.27 crashes per million vehicles. Capacity ADT is expected to grow by over 1000% and as a result, the forecasted Level of Service (LOS) at the intersection of Ashville Pike and Duvall Rd. is projected to be an F by 2030 (even if signalized). Mitigation Strategy Realignment and reconstruction of State Route 762 (Duvall Road) and Ashville Pike. Construct a railroad grade separation that will improve operations at one of the nation s most successful intermodal inland port facilities. Install 2 roundabouts d. International, National, and Regional Significance International The Pickaway East-West Connector is not only the last piece of the Rickenbacker infrastructure puzzle, but also the last mile in connecting the Midwest to the rest of the world. Ohio, which is not commonly known for its exports, was the 8 th largest exporting state in 2010 with merchandise/goods valued at $41.1B (Figure 6). The Project supports the U.S. Department of Commerce s goal of doubling exports in the next 5 years by increasing multi-modal freight efficiency at one of the nation s premier inland port facilities. Figure 6: 2010 Ohio Exports ($41.1B) Page 4 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

9 National The Heartland Corridor was completed in 2010 and was one of the largest railroad capital projects in recent history. The project modified railroad tunnels between Columbus, Ohio and the Ports of Virginia. The project eliminated a day of travel along a circuitous route and provided direct overnight double-stack service between Rickenbacker and the Ports of Virginia. This multi-state, public-private partnership has linked the Port of Norfolk, Virginia, with Columbus (Rickenbacker) and onward to Chicago (Figure 7). It enables reduced transit times and greater efficiency of freight movement through double-stack container loads on railcars. Regional The Pickaway East West Project will connect the Rickenbacker Inland Port Facility and one of the only cargo oriented airports in the nation directly to the National Highway system. Rickenbacker is geographically positioned to support distribution and goods movement from the center of America. In addition to robust air cargo capabilities and premier rail and trucking facilities, Rickenbacker is also located within a one day s drive of more than 60 percent of the U.S. and Canadian populations and U.S. manufacturing base. This strategic location provides tremendous consumer market accessibility and benefits and cost competitiveness for U.S. businesses. Figure 7: Heartland Corridor As a result, the Rickenbacker area has been a proven creator of jobs and economic development in central Ohio. Today, the logistics and distribution industry is responsible for over 14 percent of private sector jobs (112,000 workers) in the region 1. Since 2000, $115M has been spent to improve the local road network at Rickenbacker, and the Pickaway East-West Connector is the last piece of the Rickenbacker infrastructure puzzle. The Project, proposed to be completed through the assistance of the TIGER III Discretionary Grant, has a direct bearing on leveraging successful logistics investments around the Rickenbacker Inland Port facilities. Continued investment in the area not only complements private, state, and local funds expended thus far, but also assists in bringing about sustained and diversified regional economic growth in the economically distressed Pickaway County. Figure 8: Rickenbacker Campus 1 Columbus Chamber of Commerce Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 5

10 e. No No-build build Ramifications By not completing this project, immense pressure will continue to build on the project corridor to the south of Rickenbacker. The economic impact of a no-build scenario is in excess of $1.1B over a 20 year period with respect to travel & shipping delay and emissions 2. As a point of reference, these figures do not include the impacts to job creation and commerce to an economically distressed community. II. Project Parties The Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) is serving as the project sponsor for this application and is acting on behalf of the following partners: Norfolk Southern (NS) CSX The Ohio Department of Transportation The Ohio Department of Development III. Grant Funds and Sources/Uses of Project Funds Tables 2 and 3 below outline the funding sources and expenditures for the Pickaway East-West Connector Project. Table 2: Funding Matrix Source Amount ($) % Total Columbus Regional Airport Authority $ 1,250,000 5% Ohio Department of Development $ 1,000,000 4% Federal Appropriation $ 2,000,000 8% Ohio Department of Transportation $ 4,144,886 17% NS Rail (10% of Grade Structure) 3 $ 368,520 1% CSX Rail (5% of Grade Structure) $ 184,260 1% Tiger III Grant Fund Request $ 16,110,624 64% Total Project Cost (with inflation) $ 25,058, % 2 Please refer to the Benefit Cost Analysis 3 The proposed values are projections based on the TranSystems estimate. NS has committed to a 10% contribution of the total grade separation cost. Page 6 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

11 Item / Activity Table 3: Cost Breakdown Duvall Road & Grade Separation Ashville Pike Road General Roadway $ 1,034,044 $ 1,280,616 Erosion Control $ 430,108 $ 163,550 Drainage $ 481,625 $ 428,000 Pavement $ 2,778,696 $ 2,781,904 Traffic Control $ 26,124 $ 188,176 Structures $ 3,685,200 n/a Building Demolition $ 7,500 $ 150,000 Maintenance of Traffic $ 360,000 $ 300,000 Retaining Walls $ 1,086,725 n/a Incidentals $ 1,872,663 $ 530,000 Total Cost of Construction $ 11,762,685 $ 5,822,246 Inflation (Duvall = 5%, Ashville = 10%) $ 588,134 $ 582,225 Construction Cost (with inflation) $ 12,350,819 $ 6,404,471 Right of Way $ 1,775,000 $ 2,978,000 Utilities $ 550,000 $ 1,000,000 Total Project Cost (with inflation) $ 14,675,819 $ 10,382,471 IV. Selection Criteria a. Long Term Outcomes Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 7

12 i. State of Good Repair The Pickaway East-West Connector Project will remedy ill-equipped transportation facilities that handle increased commercial traffic resulting from the completion of the Heartland Corridor project. As a result, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority and its public and private partners are proposing following components to mitigate the state of disrepair of the network: Providing the Rickenbacker Inland Port with direct southern access to US 23, a congressionally designated highway, which is part of the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET) and the I-73/74/75 North-South National High Priority Highway Corridor. Constructing a grade separation for State Route 762 over two Class 1 railroads (CSX & NS) allowing for greater multi-modal freight mobility, operational efficiency, and safety. Replacing the traditional intersections of State Route 762/Ashville Pike and Ashville Pike/Rickenbacker Parkway with roundabouts for improved capacity and safety. The aforementioned improvements are consistent with the TIGER III Grant criterion that supports national and regional efforts to maintain a high-level transportation system that contributes to the movement of goods between major economic regions of the United States. The Project provides the necessary last mile connection to the Rickenbacker Inland Port. In addition, regional partners including the Ohio Department of Transportation have committed to the long range objective of maintaining the system. Upon receipt of TIGER III Discretionary Funds, project partners will mitigate the issues that will threaten the transportation efficiency of the Rickenbacker Inland Port and its national counterparts. Efficiencies associated with The Project include the following: Utilization of thicker pavements that will reduce life-cycle costs and eliminate a current load restriction of 50% during the winter months. Reduction in traveler and freight delay totaling over $850M over 20 years. Alleviate congestion associated with Rickenbacker s growth that will increase travel times along the existing corridor by approximately 600%. 4 Improvements will be measured by ongoing access management processes and practices that will ensure continued mobility, safety, access and infrastructure integrity. The enhancements resulting from The Project will address the following deficiencies: A projected spike in the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) along State Route 762 and Ashville Pike by 1,213% and 1,469%, respectively. 5 Freight train and vehicular conflicts and queuing occurring 14 times per day at the intersection of SR 762 and dual Class 1 Rail lines of CSX and NS. 6 4 Existing and Future Conditions Report 2009 Pickaway East-West Connector, TranSystems, PID# Draft Level 4 CE Report PIC-East West Connector, TranSystems, PID# Draft Level 4 CE Report PIC-East West Connector, TranSystems, PID# Page 8 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

13 Inadequate lane widths of 10 feet and non-existent shoulders impeding safety of commercial carriers and the travelling public. 7 ii. Economic Competitiveness The Project relieves a bottleneck and will promote efficient domestic and international commerce. The project area has experienced exponential growth and does not have adequate capacity to handle demand. Rickenbacker, which facilitates the transfer of containers between trains, trucks and air cargo, will create an additional 12,000 new jobs and is projected to have a $15.1 billion economic impact over the next 30 years [1]. This is not only an asset for Ohio, but also provides accessibility for goods movement from the Heartland to the East Coast. Project improvements will promote maximization of Inland Port resources by better integrating multimodal transfers and allowing for the following: Reduction of shipping costs for logistics enterprises with an avoidance of approximately $106M in shipping delays over 20 years 8. Avoiding an increase in travel times for US exports by maintaining the ability of the Heartland Corridor to get unit trains to the East Coast in 24 hours [2]. Foster economic growth in the logistics industry that drives the region s economy. The Project provides greater access for a workforce from an economically distressed area to emerging logistics and distribution jobs. With a 10.9% unemployment rate, Pickaway County is one of the most economically distressed counties in the state (Figure 9 below). Figure 9: Ohio Distressed Counties Pickaway $30, % Legend Turnpike Interstate Economic Indicator PCI Distress& Unemployment Distress Unemployment Distress PCI Distress Non-Distress, High Unemployment Non-Distressed Draft Level 4 CE Report PIC-East West Connector, TranSystems, PID# [1] CRAA/Norbridge Economic Analysis of the Rickenbacker Intermodal Facility 8 Benefit Cost Analysis [2] William Harris Norfolk Southern Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 9

14 The Rickenbacker Inland Port provides services for more than 15 Fortune 500 companies such as GE, The Limited, and Cardinal Health, Inc. The Inland Port is also Foreign Trade Zone #138, which allows for goods to enter the site duty-free and without formal customs entry. This provides Rickenbacker users the opportunity to lower costs and remain competitive with international companies. The facility also supports the movement of Ohio s number one export - agricultural products. A tangential benefit of The Project s new southern access to the Rickenbacker Inland Port is the potential for expansion of the intermodal campus to adjacent land. Conservative estimates place the value of industrial construction on adjacent land at approximately $2B and associated new job growth at 40% [3]. Development of the adjacent properties could yield up to 10,212 new jobs [4]. iii. Livable Communities As defined by the TIGER III Grant criterion, livability investments have a positive impact on qualitative measures of community life. The affected community is located in rural Central Ohio on the fringe of metropolitan Columbus. The profile of the community is predominantly agricultural with mixed industry. It is also an economically distressed area with the southern boundary being the gateway to Appalachia. The Project has the ability to drastically alter the impact of surrounding communities in a profound way. Benefits to the community align with the six Livability Principles: 1. Provide more transportation choices 2. Promote equitable, affordable housing 3. Enhance economic competitiveness 4. Support exiting communities 5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment 6. Value communities and neighborhoods The Pickaway East-West Connector Project addresses Livability Principles within the context of the affected community. The average family spends 20% of their household income on transportation costs [1]. Furthermore, the average Pickaway County resident drives minutes round-trip to employment centers each day [2]. With TIGER III Discretionary Funds, this project will provide new opportunities for surrounding communities, and leverage additional mobility options and connectivity. The Project will also achieve the following livability benefits: Improved commute travel times for economically disadvantaged travelers Eliminates need for advancing unit trains to whistle while proceeding through an atgrade intersection (noise consideration) [3] Bill Lafayette, Ph.D Vice President, Economic Analysis Columbus Chamber [4] Bill Lafayette, Ph.D Vice President, Economic Analysis Columbus Chamber [1] Center for Housing Policy [2] Office of Strategic Research (ODOT) Page 10 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

15 Improved transit access to the Rickenbacker Inland Port Provide travelers with safe and more convenient transportation options Without the necessary improvements, the average travel time from US 23 to the Rickenbacker Inland Port, along existing alignments, increases from 7-8 minutes in 2008 to over 50 minutes in Extensive stakeholder involvement and transportation planning has been conducted by multiple entities addressing development of the project area. iv. Environmental Sustainability Improved transportation access and efficiency are keys to the success of the Pickaway East-West Connector Project. The benefit is not only realized by industry and the traveling public, but also to the environment. Transportation improvements will help to mitigate the following: CO 2 emissions - reduction of 45M Kg over the life of the project 10 The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) utilized its standard air quality analysis methodology/model to calculate the design year air quality reductions of.146 kg/day VOC,.119 kg/day NOx,.002 kg/day PM 2.5 Idling and travel times from US 23 to the Rickenbacker Inland Port expected to grow from 7-8 minutes to 50 minutes by the year 2030 without improvements 11 An additional benefit of The Project is the increased rail accessibility into the Rickenbacker Inland Port, via the double-stack Heartland Corridor. Removal of the at-grade intersection on State Route 762 will provide greater rail efficiencies for two Class 1 railroads, resulting in a reduction in oil dependence through the encouragement of mode shift. Please refer to Section V (Project Readiness) for further information regarding the NEPA approvals. v. Safety Transportation improvements have not kept pace with the unprecedented economic development and growth that have transpired in the Rickenbacker area. As such, safety has been compromised and is a major concern of transportation stakeholders. Currently, the project area is challenged with a substandard transportation network. Increased demand and a lack of funding have contributed to some of the following issues: A corridor injury crash rate of 35% over a 3 year time period. Freight train and vehicular conflicts at the intersection of SR 762 and the dual Class 1 Rail lines of CSX and NS, which could lead to injuries and property damage. 9 Existing and Future Conditions Report 2009 Pickaway East-West Connector, TranSystems, PID# Benefit Cost Analysis Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 11

16 Inadequate lane widths of 10 feet and non-existent shoulders impeding safety of commercial carriers and the travelling public. Deteriorating pavements that are currently weight restricted to 50% during the winter months; Beyond the immediate needs listed above, the corridor is projected to experience significant capacity issues in the future due in part to the success of the Rickenbacker Inland Port. Table 4 below summarizes the capacity analysis results for the Pickaway East-West Connector study area intersections. The intersection capacity results are evaluated using Level of Service (LOS), a qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream, based on service measures such as speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort and convenience. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), published by the Transportation Research Board, is the standard for determining operational analysis with LOS determinations. Table 4: Level of Service Time EB WB NB SB Overall Intersection Signalized Period Delay LOS Delay LOS Delay LOS Delay LOS Delay LOS No 2008 AM 12 B 12.2 B 7.4 A 7.5 A No 2008 PM 11.8 B 11.3 B 7.5 A 7.4 A Ashville Pike & No 2030 AM * F * F 10.8 B 10.9 AB Duvall Rd. No 2030 PM * F * F 16.6 C 8.7 A Yes 2030 AM F 41.4 D F 29.2 C F Yes 2030 PM F 14.2 B F F F Rickenbacker Parkway & Ashville Pike No 2008 AM 7.3 A 7.7 A 8.6 A 8.4 A No 2008 PM 7.1 A 7.4 A 7.5 A 7.2 A No 2030 AM F F F F No 2030 PM F F F F Yes 2030 AM F 1484 F 1397 F F Yes 2030 PM 13.8 B F 618 F F The Ashville Pike and Duvall Road intersection was found to operate at an acceptable LOS today; however, by 2030 the eastbound and westbound (stop-controlled) approaches will reach exceedingly poor LOS F conditions. This degradation is due to the lack of available gaps due to the substantial increase in traffic on Ashville Pike. Signalizing the intersection by 2030 does not resolve the failing operations; therefore, this intersection will require improvements such as the planned roundabout to mitigate capacity issues. Simply signalizing the existing conditions will not resolve the extraordinary growth in traffic. Similarly, the all-way stop controlled intersection at Ashville Pike and Rickenbacker Parkway fails operationally (LOS F) in In the AM peak hours, the overall delay for the intersection is over thirteen minutes. Therefore, this intersection will need the significant improvements to safety and capacity that can be provided by the construction of a roundabout. Because safety is paramount to the project s objectives, TIGER III funding will assist with constructing necessary improvements including the roundabouts at 2 major intersections, elimination of an at-grade rail intersection, and roadway geometric enhancements (e.g. 12ft lanes and 4ft shoulders). By providing the appropriate infrastructure and removing heavy freight Page 12 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

17 trucks from other rural roads that are unable to safely handle the increased demand, The Project will improve safety for those traveling around the Inland Port. b. Job Creation and Near-Term Economic Activity The Pickaway East West Connector Project is a platform for the creation of both short- and long-term jobs in an economically distressed area. This project provides the crucial linkage to a proven job creator in the Rickenbacker Inland Port facility. The immediate impact was estimated using metrics established by the White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) in which $92,000 of government spending creates one job-year. Based on this multiplier The Project will create 174 direct and 99 indirect jobs. Immediate growth in jobs over time generated by the Pickaway East-West Connector Project is shown in Figure 11 below. Figure 10: Construction Jobs by Quarter Short-term jobs will be funded by the following project partners and corresponding contributions outlined in Table 5 below: Table 5: Funding Matrix Source Amount ($) % Total Columbus Regional Airport Authority $ 1,250,000 5% Ohio Department of Development $ 1,000,000 4% Federal Appropriation $ 2,000,000 8% Ohio Department of Transportation $ 4,144,886 17% NS Rail (10% of Grade Structure) 12 $ 368,520 1% CSX Rail (5% of Grade Structure) $ 184,260 1% Tiger III Grant Fund Request $ 16,110,624 64% Total Project Cost (with inflation) $ 25,058, % 12 The proposed values are projections based on the TranSystems estimate and NS has committed to a 10% contribution of the eligible grade separation costs. Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 13

18 Project partners are committed to leveraging both the Project commitments with past investments in the area to ensure a long-term vision of increasing per capita income by providing better access to higher paying logistics and distribution jobs. Salaries in the transportation field are on average of 12 percent higher than other sectors with the same level of education and training. 13 The Pickaway East-West Connector construction contracts will be managed by the Ohio Department of Transportation, and will be in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws. Please refer to the ODOT Contracting page for further clarifications regarding ODOT s contracting practices, including the Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) program. c. Innovation In anticipation of the expansion of the Heartland Corridor and resulting regional logistics industry growth, industry leaders have been proactive with workforce training. The Columbus Regional Logistics Council, in partnership with Columbus State Community College, secured federal funding to established training logistics curriculum. The curriculum is aimed at providing additional educational assistance and training for unemployed, economically distressed workforce who requires retraining to meet the logistic industry s needs. Upon completion of training, the students are often afforded employment opportunities. The newly created training provides synergy with opportunities made available by The Project to grow the logistics industry. d. Partnership Due to the national, regional and local significance of this project, the Pickaway East-West Connector Project supporters span a variety of stakeholders. Please click on the following link to view the letters of support. The following sections describe the roles and commitments of the major stakeholders and the support provided by non-transportation entities, including public entities. The Virginia Port Authority supports the project because of the strong freight mobility partnership (via the Heartland Corridor) between the deep water port of Norfolk, Virginia, and the inland port of Rickenbacker; Class 1 railroads Norfolk Southern & CSX support improved grade crossing safety; The Ohio Department of Development supports the project because of the potential to increase exports to global markets; Although outside the MPO coverage area, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) supports the project from a regional growth and freight mobility partnership which will have positive impacts on the metropolitan area adjacent to the Rickenbacker Inland Port facility; The Columbus Chamber of Commerce supports greater access to jobs; 13 Columbus Regional Logistics Council (Executive Director, Daniel Ricciardi) Page 14 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

19 Pickaway County Engineer and Commissioners are supportive of improved safety, roadway infrastructure, and freight mobility, access to employment and better livability for the community. Pickaway Progress Partnership supports the job and economic development opportunities for an economically distressed area. The Columbus Partnership supports The Project to enhance the economic competitiveness of the region. Jurisdiction & Stakeholder The Project has received a number of non-federal commitments from various organizations including: (accessible by the following link) Norfolk Southern and CSX Railroads- $552, Ohio Department of Development - $1,000,000 Ohio Department of Transportation - $4,144,866 A commitment of TIGER III funds will provide the flexibility to respond quickly to the needs of industry that would otherwise not be possible in the near future. These funds would accelerate construction of critical infrastructure required to support the success of the Heartland Corridor. The immediate investment will prevent the stifling of a national transportation network that is vital not only to the Midwest, but also to the East Coast. Disciplinary Integration In addition to support received from the project partners and various transportation organizations, the Pickaway East-West Connector Project has received support from the following entities: Table 6: Project Supporters Senator Rob Portman Norfolk Southern Hy-Tek Senator Sherrod Brown Columbus Partnership Duke Realty Pickaway County Commissioners Ula Jean Metzler Glenn D. Reeser Jay H. Wippel OHIO Congressional Delegation Congressman Steve Austria Congressman Bob Gibbs Congressman Steve Stivers Congressman Patrick Tiberi Franklin County Commissioners Paula Brooks Marilyn Brown John O Grady Ohio Department of Development Columbus Regional Logistics Council Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter Ohio Rail Development Commission Port of Virginia Van Brodegraven Associates Hyperlogistics Pickaway County Engineer Battelle MORPC Pickaway Progress Partnership Columbus2020! 14 This is an approximate value based on Federal Regulation and NS commitment to a 10% grade separation contribution. Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 15

20 e. Benefits Cost Analysis The Rickenbacker Inland Port is a job generator for the Central Ohio region. Over 1 in 10 residents are employed as a result of the logistics industry and continued investment in Rickenbacker Inland Port will support the region for years to come. Below are the calculated benefits associated with the Pickaway East-West Connector Project and back-up documentation can be accessed at the Benefits Cost Analysis worksheet. Benefit/Cost Summary: Total Cost Benefit for the Project: $825.7M Over $106M in shipping delay avoided. Over $744M in travel time delays avoided for personal vehicles. Over 45M of CO 2 emissions avoided ($1.3M saved). Construction investment will result in 12,000 jobs 15, however only 174 direct and 99 indirect will be associated with The Project emissions reductions:.146 kg/day VOC,.119 kg/day NOx,.002 kg/day PM In addition to the project specific benefits sited above, an economic impact analysis was conducted by Dr. Bill Lafayette, Ph.D., from Regionomics, LLC on the industrial development potential as a result of the Pickaway East-West Connector Project. An overview of the analysis results is shown below in table 7 and the methodology for this analysis can be reviewed at the following Industrial Development Analysis link. Development period 10 years 20 years 30 years Construction Direct $ 842,554 $ 661,001 $ 531,609 Indirect $ 1,296,776 $ 1,017,347 $ 818,199 Total $ 2,139,330 $ 1,678,348 $ 1,349,808 Operating Direct $ 16,216,344 $ 12,147,951 $ 9,248,426 Indirect $ 18,300,144 $ 13,708,963 $ 10,436,849 Total $ 34,516,488 $ 25,856,914 $ 19,685,274 Total Direct $ 17,058,898 $ 12,808,952 $ 9,780,035 Indirect $ 19,596,919 $ 14,726,310 $ 11,255,048 Total $ 36,655,818 $ 27,535,262 $ 21,035,082 Table 7: Industrial Development Potential 15 CRAA/Norbridge Economic Analysis of the Rickenbacker Intermodal Facility 16 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Page 16 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

21 V. Project Readiness and NEPA a. Project Schedule: ODOT has committed to delivering the project for sale and award by the end of calendar year 2012 and Table 7 below is a high-level overview of the Pickaway East-West Connector Project. Table 8: Project Schedule Duvall Ashville Pike TASK BEGIN DATE END DATE START END Stage 1 Plans 1-Sep Dec-11 1-Sep Apr-11 Waterway Permit 1-Sep Dec-11 N/A N/A Right of Way Plans Concurrent 31-Dec-11 Concurrent w/ 30-Apr-12 w/ Stage 1 Stage 1 Right of Way Acquisition 1-Mar Jun-12 1-May-12 1-Jun-13 Stage 2 Plans 2-Jan Mar-12 1-May Oct-12 Stage 3 Plans 1-Apr-12 1-Jun-12 1-Nov Apr-13 Plans Filed 2-Jul-12 2-Jul May May-13 Project Sold 15-Nov Nov Oct Oct-13 Project Awarded 22-Nov Nov-12 7-Nov-13 7-Nov-13 Begin Construction 15-Dec Nov Dec Nov-14 b. NEPA Environmental Approvals The proposed project involves the construction of a new roadway and the elimination of an atgrade intersection with two Class 1 rail lines, to provide better connectivity between US Route 23, the Norfolk Southern Intermodal Terminal, and the existing and projected development surrounding the south side of Rickenbacker International Airport. The proposed project is located in northern Pickaway County in rural Harrison Township (just south of the City of Columbus, OH) and would be constructed utilizing existing roadway and roadway on new alignment. The entire length of the proposed roadway would be approximately 3.75 miles. As most of the required right-of-way to be acquired is farmland, and minimal environmental impacts are expected, the project is being processed using the Categorical Exclusion process. The Ohio Department of Transportation has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FHWA allowing it to satisfy NEPA requirements at the state level for projects that qualify as CEs. This project is being processed as a CE at the state level under the authority of the MOU with FHWA. This action does not: induce significant impacts to planned growth or land use for the area; require relocation of significant numbers of people; have significant impact on any natural, cultural, recreational, historic, or other resource; involve significant air, noise, or water quality impacts; have significant impacts on travel patterns; or otherwise, either individually or cumulatively, have any significant impacts and does not require the preparation of an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. Approval of the CE is expected to be received no later than November 15, Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 17

22 Based on wetland and stream impacts, an Individual 404 permit from the United States Army Corp of Engineers and Individual 401 permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will be required. All waterway permits will be acquired before impacts to waters. Once the waterway permits are received, Special Provisions will be attached to the contract plans to identify the conditions of the permits. All conditions of the Plans and Special Provisions will be adhered to throughout the construction. Mitigation requirements, if applicable, will be completed. c. Legislative Approvals There are no legislative approvals at the state or federal level necessary to implement this project; however, support letters have been included to demonstrate broad support for this initiative. d. State and Local Planning The preliminary engineering and right of way for the Project was approved and placed on the STIP on October 9, The construction portion is anticipated to be approved in January e. Technical Feasibility The Pickaway East-West Connector Project is technically feasible for design and construction. Table 3: Cost Breakdown which is located in the Budget Section of this document was developed based on the preferred alternative utilizing the historic bid data and standard ODOT estimating procedures. The scope of the Project was established based on the purpose and need of the facility. This includes considerations of the environmental, real estate and utility impacts. The schedule has been established using typical time frames and identifying critical items including utility relocation and coordination with railroad companies that will ensure efficient delivery of the Project. The Project budget was established through planning estimates and refined as design has been advanced. ODOT will manage all design and construction phases of the project. The design is being developed by TranSystems, a prequalified ODOT design consultant, and prequalified ODOT contractors. Schedule and budget were established based on the required personnel needed to manage, design and construct the Project. Detailed plans can be accessed by clicking on the Detailed Design Documentation link. Page 18 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector

23 f. Financial Feasibility Evidence of the CRAA s financial condition can be accessed by clicking on the Financial Feasibility link. VI. Federal Wage Rate Certification The CRAA respects and complies with the Federal Wage Rate requirements set forth in subchapter IV of Chapter 31 of Title 40, U.S. Code. Please refer to Federal Wage Rate Certification link. VII. Changes to Pre-Application Submittal Below are the changes to the Pickaway East-West Connector Project since the pre-application submittal: Project Description: The Pickaway East-West Connector Project consists of the following project activities that will realign and widen 3.75 miles of state roadway, install two roundabouts, and provide grade separation over 2 Class I railroads. Total amount of TIGER funds - $16,110,624 Total amount of non-federal funds committed $5,697,646 Total Project Cost - $25,058,290 Begin: Intersection of Rickenbacker Parkway and Ashville Pike Begin Latitude: Begin Longitude: End: Intersection of US 23 and Duvall Road End Latitude: End Longitude: Right of Way date = YES and date is June 1, 2013 Design = YES and Design completion: April 30, 2013 On what date will all segments of this project be ready for construction: June 1, 2013 Rickenbacker Inland Port Pickaway East-West Connector Page 19