Passenger/Freight Railroad Projects in Michigan

Passenger/Freight Railroad Projects in Michigan

Passenger/Freight Railroad Projects in Michigan Topics: Michigan Railroad Network State of Michigan Owned Railroad Corridors Michigan Accelerated Rail Program Dearborn to Ypsilanti Double Track Project Michigan Line Bridge Management Program Other Current Passenger/Freight Railroad Projects Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Rail Corridor Program M-1 Rail (Light Rail Project in Detroit) Continental Rail Gateway (CRG) Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal (DIFT) Amtrak Passenger Station Projects Questions and Answers 2

Michigan Railroad Network Michigan s freight & passenger rail system is part of a multi-modal transportation system with a diverse mix of facilities in both public & private ownership. Extensive system, ranking 12 th nationally in number of miles of track. 3,900 miles of freight railroad track 24 operators Carries 33% of state s freight tonnage 3

State of Michigan Owned Railroad Corridors 665 miles of rail line Operated by railroads under contract with MDOT and provide the only rail access to businesses in certain areas of the state Over 80 shippers 15,000 carloads (2010)* *excludes Michigan Line Provides access to national system to many companies with otherwise limited transportation options. 4

Michigan Accelerated Rail Program MDOT acquired 135 miles between Kalamazoo and Dearborn in December 2012 from Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) The accelerated rail program will enhance this segment of the corridor for accelerated speeds up to 110 mph. Construction has begun and will be completed over the next three construction seasons Amtrak will operate and maintain the line NSR will continue freight service 5

Michigan Line History 1846-1867 1867-1968 1968-1976 1976-1998 1998-2012 2012 - PRESENT 6

Michigan Accelerated Rail Program Segments SECTION 2 SECTION 1 SECTION 4 SECTION 3 7

Dearborn-Ypsilanti Double Track Project Background Challenges Project Status 8

Background Project Description 17.7 miles of capacity improvements on the Michigan Line Reconstruction of 18 at grade crossings Adds a second track between Dearborn and Wayne (Approximately 9 miles) 9

Background Purpose and Need Condition of the sale from Norfolk Southern to MDOT Provides separate tracks for freight and passenger service Helps achieve the service outcome (FRA Grant requirement) 10

Background Project Timeline Design Period: 2012 Spring of 2014 Project advertised for bids: Summer of 2014 Bids opened August 1, 2014 $19.56 Million Contract Awarded to RailWorks on September 10, 2014 Construction started: October 14, 2014 Contract Completion: November 1, 2015 11

Background Project Team MDOT PM/PE/on-site soils engineering/ QA testing Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Parsons Brinckerhoff Inspection, Office Tech and Office Engineering services Soils and Materials Engineers Testing Services-Rail items Somat Engineering Testing Services-Roadway Items Northwest Consultants Engineer s staking Quandel Design Support and Engineer of Record Amtrak Roadway Worker Protection and QA testing- field welding of rail RailWorks Prime Contractor 12

Background Major Items of Work 41,713 feet (1,894 tons) of continuously welded rail 25,670 ties 45,981 tons of ballast 18 roadway grade crossings reconstructed 440 stations of track bed grading Special Trackwork; 6 crossovers and 1 turnout 13

Challenges Merging MDOT, Amtrak, Norfolk Southern and AREMA specifications, standards and practices into contract documents that contractors could bid on Establishing the order of precedence between these specifications Preparing Special Provisions Mainline Track and Special Trackwork Railroad Earthwork At-Grade Crossings 14

Challenges Establishing procedures for Material Acceptance on rail items Rail, ballast, ties, tie plates, spikes, anchors, bolts, joint bars Merged MDOT, Amtrak and AREMA practices Acceptance procedures vary Full fabrication inspection (rail) Random sampling/testing ( ties) QA and QC testing (ballast) Test data certification (tie plates etc.) Approved suppliers (ballast and ties) 15

Challenges Buy America - Ballast Last minute negotiations between MDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Allowed material mined in Ontario, Canada to be a possible ballast source Material had to be manufactured (crushed to meet ballast gradation requirements) in the USA 16

Challenges Maintenance of Traffic at Roadway crossings Contract work requires complete roadway closing Roadways under multiple local jurisdictions Contract sets general parameters Contractor must design Work Zone Traffic Control Plan Detours and signage Schedule and closing duration Each crossing paid for as a lump sum 17

Project Status Work Accomplished To-Date 30 Percent of track bed graded Initial 8 of ballast layer being placed Rail strings fabricated and delivered 18

Project Status 2015 Construction Season Finish grading and pre-ballast Deliver/set ties Construct new track Special trackwork Reconstruct crossings Final track surfacing Coordination with Amtrak s signal contractor (GE) Signalize the new track Relocate crossing signals at 18 crossings 19

Background Inspection / Field Work Reports / Ratings Capital Planning Approach / Methodology Next Steps? Michigan Line Bridge Management Program 20

Background Project Team URS & Bergmann Associates URS offices included Grand Rapids, Southfield, Chicago and Indianapolis Amtrak Amtrak held URS contract URS followed Amtrak s Detailed Bridge Inspection Standards (Format, Forms, Load Rating Requirements, etc.) MDOT Minor MDOT participation Field inspections & Correspondence 21

Background Scope 3 to 5 two-man teams in the field Amtrak staff onsite if on tracks Could work under structure without Amtrak staff Scope Required detailed inspection and load rating of approximately 83 bridges Approximately - Some bridges could not be located in field. Some were hard to find Due to line switching hands the inventory needing updating Team produced a total of 85 reports 22

Inspection / Field Work Safety Requirements Federal Railroad Agency Bridge Safety Standards Amtrak Contractor Training Amtrak Roadway Worker Protection Amtrak Qualified Flagging Personnel Safety briefings each day at inspection site prior to inspection 23

Inspection / Field Work Structure Locations and Inspection Methods 24

Inspection / Field Work Hi-Rail Snooper Vehicle Boat Waders Ladders 25

Inspection / Field Work Structure Types Deck Girder 26

Inspection / Field Work Structure Types Multi-Beam 27

Inspection / Field Work Structure Types Through Girder 28

Inspection / Field Work Structure Types Multiple Types of Culverts 29

Inspection / Field Work Structure Types Through Truss Swing Bridge * *located on Amtrak ownership 30

Inspection / Field Work Typical Findings Considering age of structures typically good condition Minor to moderate surface corrosion Failed paint system Failed/seized bearings Substructure deterioration 31

Inspection / Field Work Non-Destructive Testing Dye Penetrant Testing on E and E Fatigue Details 32

Inspection / Field Work Load Ratings AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering Cooper E-80 Loading, Amtrak P42 Diesel Locomotive Normal Rating: Expected service life load carrying level Maximum: Infrequent interval load carrying level Fatigue 33

Inspection / Field Work Report Bridge Description and Location Summary of Inspection Findings and Bridge Condition Load Rating Results Repair and Rehabilitation Recommendations Immediate, Priority, Routine, Maintenance, Increased Structure Capacity Cost Estimates 34

Capital Planning Approach/Methodology Priority Lists Capital & Maintenance (Ranked recommendations by priority and year) Maintenance by Amtrak staff Temporary bents, concrete patching, ballast retainers, debris removal Capital Major repairs by outside contractor Superstructure replacement, Pier replacements, structure replacement, etc. Methodology Rating / Condition / Cost / Time Replacement estimates included two or three track structures 35

Preliminary Capital Repair Summary No Repairs 37 44% Bridge Replacement 4 5% Superstruture Replacement 8 9% Substructure Replacement 1 1% Superstructure Repairs 14 17% Miscellaneous 20 24% 36

Lessons Learned Safety No MOT Steep slopes Insects / Poison Ivy Physical - Heat, waders, crawling through culverts Track Time Amtrak Staff & Snooper High Rail Snooper rental All affect production rates Condition / Load Capacity / Over Design 37

Next Steps Evaluate capital and maintenance repair summary Collaborate with Amtrak maintenance Secure funding for capital repair and replacement projects 38

Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Corridor Program Overview Purpose is to improve intercity mobility by providing an improved passenger rail service that would be a competitive transportation alternative to automobile, bus and air service. Program is a partnership between Indiana DOT, Illinois DOT and Federal Railroad Administration. Program consists of: An evaluation of potential route and service alternatives for the corridor. A Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that reviews the impacts and benefits of rail service. A Service Development Plan (SDP) that describes how rail service will be implemented. Goals that include increased daily service and speeds up to 110 mph. Project website at www.greatlakesrail.org 39

Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Corridor Program Current Status Public hearings were held on the Tier 1 Draft EIS on 10/28/14 in Dearborn, 10/29/14 in Chicago and 10/30/14 in Gary. Remaining work includes addressing the DEIS comments, alternative analysis, preparation of the Final EIS, completion of the Record of Decision and development of the Service Development Plan. Completion of the study expected in summer 2015. 40

M-1 Rail (Light Rail Project in Detroit) Overview A non-profit organization formed in 2007 Design, construction, and future operations 3.3 mile circulating streetcar along Woodward Avenue between Congress Street and West Grand Boulevard. 20 stations serving 12 locations Public-private partnership Groundbreaking on July 28, 2014 Construction expected to be complete late 2016 41

M-1 Rail (Light Rail Project in Detroit) Current Status I-94 and I-75 Overpass Bridge Work Ongoing Utilities reconstruction and relocation Ongoing Track bed installation Ongoing. Progressing north 42

Continental Rail Gateway (CRG) Project Existing Rail Tunnel Completed in early 1900s 1.6 miles long Originally designed for electric trains Continuous operation for over 100 years Carries approximately 400,000 rail cars per year Vital link between Port of Montreal and America s heartland Too small for double-stacked 9 6 container rail cars 43

Continental Rail Gateway (CRG) Project Why We Need to Replace the Existing Rail Tunnel 44

Continental Rail Gateway (CRG) Project Proposed Rail Tunnel A new high-capacity replacement rail tunnel Will handle trains carrying double-stacked 9 6 containers Will help Detroit-Windsor to further its vision of becoming an international logistics hub Currently working to secure all funding for project 45

Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal (DIFT) Overview Purpose is to support economic competitiveness of southeast Michigan and the state. Program is a public-private partnership between Government, Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad, Canadian National (CN) Railroad, Norfolk Southern (NS) Railroad and CSX Railroad. April, 2010 Federal Highway Administration issued Record of Decision. Program consists of: Eliminating the major choke points at the Livernois-Junction Yard in southwest Detroit. Terminal improvements External rail line improvements Roadway improvement Real estate Community enhancements Intermodal Terminal Locations 46

Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal (DIFT) Current Status DIFT Five Year Plan DIFT Project Agreement Delray Interlocking West Detroit Connection Project Economic Development Plan Milwaukee/Beaubien Interlocking West Detroit Connection Project Existing railroad structure has been demolished CN and Conrail track work is ongoing Bridge substructure under construction Structural steel is being fabricated Bridge completion proposed May, 2015 47

Amtrak Passenger Station Projects Completed Troy Transit Center, Troy Project cost: $6.4-million Opened October 14, 2014 Vernon J. Ehlers Amtrak Station, Grand Rapids Project cost: $6.1-million Opened October 27, 2014 John D Dingell Transit Center, Dearborn Project cost: $28.2-million Opened December 10, 2014 48

Amtrak Passenger Station Projects Ongoing Capital Area Multi Modal Gateway, East Lansing New Build Construction anticipated to be completed fall 2015 Jackson Renovation Ann Arbor Design/New Build Port Huron NEPA/Design/New Build Detroit Design/New Build Flint Renovation 49

Questions? 3 rd Annual Michigan Rail Conference Location: Grand Rapids, MI Time: August 2015 Specifics location to be announced soon 50