ARIZONA STATE RAIL PLAN. ITE / IMSA 2011 Spring Conference March 9 th 2011

Transcription

1 ARIZONA STATE RAIL PLAN ITE / IMSA 2011 Spring Conference March 9 th 2011

2 Statewide Planning g Process ADOT Planning Process Evolution

3 Southwest Transportation Network

4 Sun Corridor Sun Corridor will include 85% of state population by 2050 Prescott Flagstaff Two-thirds of housing units yet to be built Yuma Source: Maricopa Association of Governments Phoenix Tucson Nogales Half of the Transportation Infrastructure to be built Opportunity for new sustainable urban development paradigm 4

5 Planning for Livability in AZ Use transportation as a tool to focus growth Promote context-sensitive solutions that relate to the built and natural environments Encourage infill development and revitalization that support existing communities

6 State Rail Plan Contents Rail Vision and Benefits Goals, Objectives, and Rail benefits Issues, Opportunities, and Needs Passenger Service Network Requirements Safety and Congestion Mitigation Corridors of Opportunity Potential Rail Actions Recommended Priorities Implementation Plan Potential Funding Strategies Inventory of Existing Conditions

7 Corridors of Opportunity

8 Passenger Rail Priorities Intercity and Commuter Rail System Intercity Rail provides transit backbone for Sun Corridor Northern AZ to Nogales Phased Implementation Phoenix to Tucson highest priority Seamless coordination with Commuter Rail

9 Passenger Rail Priorities Establish a Western High Speed Rail Network Southwest connections added to FRA map Complete Feasibility and Route Studies Partner with adjacent state DOTs / Western HSR Alliance

10 PHX TUC Intercity Rail March Kickoff Meeting

11 Partner with Amtrak to improve existing service Partner with Amtrak to improve existing service Southwest Chief (BNSF Transcon Corridor) Sunset Limited (UPRR Sunset Corridor) Provide service to Phoenix Metro Area

12 Other Passenger Rail Opportunities Partner with Class I Railroads to implement operational improvements along branch lines BNSF Phoenix Subdivision (Peavine) Rehabilitation of UPRR Wellton Branch Improvements along UPRR Nogales Subdivision

13 Network Opportunities Two Class I Transcontinental Routes Phoenix Metro Subdivisions Connections to Mexico

14 Freight Movements High percentage of movements by truck 75% of rail movements are through Need additional capacity and distribution centers

15 Freight Distribution Proposed facilities to increase capacity for Metro areas Additional logistic centers needed to serve the Sun Corridor

16 Safety and Congestion Opportunities Create a program to replace or remove existing at-grade rail crossings Expand data collection and monitoring Construct t high h priority it grade separations At-Grade Crossing Grade Separated Crossing

17 Recommended Implementation Short Term (within 5 years) Implementation Action Commuter Rail Sunset Limited Improvements Phoenix to Tucson Intercity Rail Study Rehabilitation of the Wellton Branch High Speed Rail Corridors Description Partner with MAG and PAG to plan commuter rail systems within the Phoenix and Tucson areas Partner with Amtrak to increase frequency of service along the Sunset Limited route Establish environmental clearance for the Phoenix to Tucson intercity rail corridor Reinstating freight and passenger rail service along the UPRR Wellton Branch will provide an opportunity to return intercity service to Phoenix and better connect Yuma to the Sun Corridor Obtain federal designation of the recommended HSR corridors, and complete feasibility and route studies

18 Recommended Implementation Intermediate Term (within 10 years) Implementation Action Description Phoenix to Las Vegas Multi-Modal Corridor Transcontinental Rail Corridors Short Line Assistance Program Completing the scoping process for the I-11 Corridor from Phoenix to Las Vegas, including the Hassayampa Corridor Implement improvements to transcontinental rail corridors Implement a program which can provide financial assistance for improvements to short line and tourist railroads

19 Recommended Implementation Long Term (within 20 years) Implementation Action Intercity Rail Service between Phoenix and Tucson Description Design, construct, and operate an intercity rail system connecting Phoenix and Tucson Extensions of Intercity Rail for the Sun Corridor Complete corridor studies and obtain environmental clearance for extensions of the intercity rail system north of Phoenix and south of Tucson Intermodal and Freight Logistic Centers Based on recommendations provided by the FRAC, plan and implement new facilities at key locations

20 Funding Options Federal Funds FRA High Speed Rail Grants New Federal Funding via Re-authorization FHWA Surface Transportation Program FHWA Section 130, Grade Crossing Safety Improvements State & Local Funds State & Local Match Options

21 Additional Information & Assistance: Arizona Department of Transportation Multimodal Planning Division Shannon L. Scutari, Esq. Director, Rail & Sustainability Services Michael Kies, PE Intercity Rail Study, Project Manager

22 Websites: