Norfolk Southern to expand Chesapeake yard for Amtrak
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The Chief
Lead Service Attendant
This is swell news for Norfolk and nearby residents.
In addition, it's a good example of city, state, freight RR and Amtrak cooperation.
City of Norfolk has budgeted $3 million to build a station. State of Virginia is spending $101 million to upgrade the NS and CSX corridor between Norfolk and Petersburg and Richmond to launch service no later than October 2013. All this for inaugural one departure, one arrival each day.
Efforts like this, and the nearly $100 million Empire Builder Devils Lake project, should be applauded. Recall that calls for raising a 15.4-mile section of BNSF’s mainline between Devils Lake and Churchs Ferry, and two bridges, to prevent future floods. Without this project, EB would no longer operate on the Devils Lake route. U.S. DOT designated a $10 million TIGER III grant. BNSF plans to work with Amtrak to provide additional funding for the project, while ND Gov. Jack Dalrymple plans to include funding in the state’s next budget and rely on other funding sources to raise the $10 million needed to complete the work.
The Virginia and North Dakota initiatives could be an example for Washington state, where regular mudslides and washouts have plagued the Cascades, Coast Starlight, and EB service. Washington state DOT was checking with FRA if any of the nearly $600 million HSR stimulus money awarded to improve speeds and corridor reliability of trains between Seattle and Portland whether any bucks could be could be spent on mudslide prevention. That funding application certainly would improve speed (from zero when not running) and reliability (running vs. canceled). I wonder what happened to that effort? CHamilton, any insight? I recall hearing Washington state railheads were seeking $10 million first, for the environmental impact study, now re-branded as environmental assessment. We wouldn't want any discomfort to dromedary jumping-slugs or Pacific wrens.
In addition, it's a good example of city, state, freight RR and Amtrak cooperation.
City of Norfolk has budgeted $3 million to build a station. State of Virginia is spending $101 million to upgrade the NS and CSX corridor between Norfolk and Petersburg and Richmond to launch service no later than October 2013. All this for inaugural one departure, one arrival each day.
Efforts like this, and the nearly $100 million Empire Builder Devils Lake project, should be applauded. Recall that calls for raising a 15.4-mile section of BNSF’s mainline between Devils Lake and Churchs Ferry, and two bridges, to prevent future floods. Without this project, EB would no longer operate on the Devils Lake route. U.S. DOT designated a $10 million TIGER III grant. BNSF plans to work with Amtrak to provide additional funding for the project, while ND Gov. Jack Dalrymple plans to include funding in the state’s next budget and rely on other funding sources to raise the $10 million needed to complete the work.
The Virginia and North Dakota initiatives could be an example for Washington state, where regular mudslides and washouts have plagued the Cascades, Coast Starlight, and EB service. Washington state DOT was checking with FRA if any of the nearly $600 million HSR stimulus money awarded to improve speeds and corridor reliability of trains between Seattle and Portland whether any bucks could be could be spent on mudslide prevention. That funding application certainly would improve speed (from zero when not running) and reliability (running vs. canceled). I wonder what happened to that effort? CHamilton, any insight? I recall hearing Washington state railheads were seeking $10 million first, for the environmental impact study, now re-branded as environmental assessment. We wouldn't want any discomfort to dromedary jumping-slugs or Pacific wrens.
Washington State DOT did ask for $10 million in stimulus money for mudslide control, but the application was turned down. However, there is a continued push to get BNSF to change their rule that passenger trains are cancelled for 48 hours after every mudslide, no matter how minor.
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