Update on the Texas Rail Plan Jennifer Moczygemba Texas Department of Transportation Rail Division Rail System Section Director
Where We Were 1970 s - Freight Railroads struggling due to restrictive regulation Amtrak takes over operations of US passenger service Routes lost Service reduced 1980 Staggers Rail Act allowed regulation to be replaced with market demand Average Rates have dropped 51% 1980 s - Texas TGV proposed; the Triangle Route
Where we were 1990 s Freight railroads abandon miles of track after mergers to reduce redundancy and costs Texas TGV falters Texas High Speed Rail Authority abolished Multiple visions and plans fill void Early 2000 s Proliferation of concepts Designs, speeds, configurations, technologies TxDOT takes over ownership of South Orient Long term lease and operating agreement
Where We Were 2005 - TxDOT s rail role expands Railroad Commission s rail functions moved to TxDOT Legislature establishes a Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund; approved by voters Governor Perry Designates TxDOT as coordinator for all rail activities in Texas Freight studies performed MOU between Governor and both BNSF and UPRR Implemented results improve fluidity/safety 2008 Federal focus on passenger rail Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act passes Bipartisan effort Requires development of State Rail Plans for funding Authorizes Programs for Federal funding No funding provided
Where We Were 2009 - A new focus on passenger rail Texas legislature requires TxDOT to prepare a long-term plan for passenger rail in Texas, with annual updates US Congress funds $8 B for High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) for planning, corridors and projects (ARRA) TxDOT forms Rail Division 2010 State makes advances in passenger rail TxDOT finalizes Texas Rail Plan Receive multiple grants
Where We Are State Rail Plan Establishes short-term and long-term programs Emphasizes the importance of freight rail to Texas Defines current passenger services Identifies opportunities, future needs and funding options Federal funds Tower 55 project - $34 M of total cost $101.3 M Dallas/Fort Worth to Houston HSR PE/NEPA - $15 M Oklahoma City to South Tx planning - $5.6 M of $14 M Heartland Flyer speed improvements for $3.8 M TRE double track $11.2 M Federal appropriations for SORR rehab for $2 M
Emerging Mega-Regions
Texas Freight Rail System
Freight Studies Lower Rio Grande Valley/Laredo $174 m in rail infrastructure improvements to maintain current performance for 30 years $233 m in other rail projects 15 grade seps/15 crossing closures; cost $141.4 m and public benefit of $203 m Potential quiet zones in Laredo El Paso Phase 1 complete modeling existing network 18 grade seps and 14 crossing closures; $52 m in public benefit Additional improvements and costs in next phase West Texas corridor feasibility
Texas Passenger Rail System
Passenger Rail Studies Austin to Houston Infrastructure analysis and estimated costs Operational modeling and estimated trip times Two round trips per day; 7 days per week Multiple alternatives Approximate trip time 2 1/2 hrs (3 hrs with service to College Station) Next steps Ridership Analysis Continued coordination with GCRD
Contracting Existing Contracts HNTB passenger rail studies TTA contracts for I35 corridor development New Contracts Short-Term Program Management Dallas/Fort Worth to Houston PE/NEPA OKC to South Texas passenger rail planning study Agreements NCTCOG Oklahoma DOT GCRD
Statewide Intercity Travel Corridor Rankings
Where We Are Going Public, open and transparent process Statewide Ridership analysis Define passenger network Core express; 125+ MPH Regional; 90 125 MPH Feeder; < 90 MPH Additional freight studies Develop estimates for: Initial construction costs Ongoing operating and maintenance costs Potential revenue
East Texas Study Feasibility Study Funded with earmark Coordination with Amtrak Improve existing Texas Eagle service Add two round trips from Fort Worth to Bossier City/Shreveport
May 2011 HSIPR Project Grant Award
Where We Are Going Houston DFW PE/NEPA Preliminary engineering Environmental clearance Preferred alternative
October 2010 HSIPR Planning Grant Award
Where We Are Going Oklahoma City to South Texas Study Ridership Corridor analysis alternative routes Service development plan Speeds, frequencies Tier 1 NEPA
Where We Are Going Potential issues Logical termini in metro areas Connectivity of both corridors in DFW Metroplex and with local transit Funding: public, private or PPP
Questions? Contact www.txdot.gov click on train icon Jennifer.moczygemba@txdot.gov 512-486-5127