Appears CSX is delaying this construction over on time performance requirements.
This project has been shovel ready siince late 2010.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/transportation/2012/03/75-million-stimulus-northern-virginia-rail-project-held-over-feuding
Another project that is in limbo on CSX is the 3 new CPs on the "A" line in North Carolina.. Money has been allocated to the NC DOT since 2010. There are unofficial reports that NC DOT has been pushing CSX on this problem. Does anyone have information on official or maybe even media reports being published on this delay in North Carolina ?
If this is true maybe there is a pattern of deliberate CSX delays on the "A" line, the extra track around quantico, and the line thru Albany ?
Streak,
I have no knowledge of CSX per se. I do know that the FRA made unacceptable demands of BNSF concerning timekeeping after completion of work between Portland Oregon and Blaine WA that held up work there. My recollection is that WSDOT leaned on the FRA to be reasonable and the delay was not outrageous.
To the railroads the strings the FRA is trying to attach to the carriers are not worth the money which goes primarilay to benefit passenger service. Thankfully the railroads have the sense to not sell their ability to operate for a mess of pottage. It took them far too long to figure that game out as it is.
Mac McCulloch
At the risk of moving onto a political tangent, the newly empowered Republicans are trying to kill the previously approved rail construction plans in NC.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/03/30/1091073/debate-cut-short-on-bill-to-kill.html
http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/9309458/
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Then we have BNSF doing their line to speed up the Cal Z. Wonder if it will also help BNSF speed their freights ??
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120318/NEWS/303180066/1001/
blue streak 1 Then we have BNSF doing their line to speed up the Cal Z. Wonder if it will also help BNSF speed their freights ?? http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120318/NEWS/303180066/1001/
Of course the improvements will help the BNSF improve its freight operations through the area. Manual switches are being replaced by remote controlled switches, which means the trains (Amtrak and BNSF) will not have to stop.
Given that the monies are coming from the federal government, i.e. we the taxpayers, there is no reason to believe that BNSF could not have gotten the monies under ARRA irrespective of whether it hoists Amtrak trains.
ARRA monies are borrowed in the capital markets by the U.S.Treasury Department. The cost of the improvements, assuming they are funded with 30 year money, will be $25.1 million when interest on the debt is included in the cost, which is a standard business practice.
Over 30 years the improvements will save Amtrak an estimated 1 hour per day, which translates into 10,958 hours over the estimated life of the assets. The cost of each hour saved, assuming the improvements are being made exclusively for Amtrak, would be $2,292 per hour. However, it is probably safe to assume that the improvements are being made for BNSF, with Amtrak as a secondary beneficiary. Other freight carriers have gotten ARRA money that has been for the exclusive use of the carrier irrespect of its hoisting of Amtrak or commuter rail trains. In this case the cost per hour saved would drop significantly.
Phoebe Vet At the risk of moving onto a political tangent, the newly empowered Republicans are trying to kill the previously approved rail construction plans in NC. http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/03/30/1091073/debate-cut-short-on-bill-to-kill.html http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/9309458/
There are two key points with respect to taking ARRA monies. The first is the extent to which they cover the capital cost of the proposed project. The second is the operating liability that may be imposed on the recipient. If the recipient has to cover additional operating deficits generated by the capital improvement, the project probably is not a good investment.
Jobs are important. But if they are created for projects that lay on a never ending liability, i.e. a commercial project that the users will not pay for, then the investment is not wise.
While these projects involve stimulus money, awarded because it is shovel ready, it is a project the NC and VA have been working on for 20 years.
The Mayor of Salisbury, NC just stated that commuter rail service between his city, Charlotte, and Raleigh can be put in service for a small fraction of the cost of the Red Line that CATS is working on because all it would involve is adding a couple of cars or additional frequency to the existing train service.
Phoebe Vet The Mayor of Salisbury, NC just stated that commuter rail service between his city, Charlotte, and Raleigh can be put in service for a small fraction of the cost of the Red Line that CATS is working on because all it would involve is adding a couple of cars or additional frequency to the existing train service.
Phoebe won't it lso require that double tracking be completed CLT - Greensboro and major track work Greensboro - Raleigh ?? Seems like that is the conclusion of NC DOT ?
It's in the works. Like I said they have been working on it for a long time. Many things that have been scheduled are being held up by the budget slashers. The new Republican majority passed a bill prohibiting the State from accepting the already approved federal money, but the governor vetoed it and they were unable to over ride the veto.
Phoebe Vet . Many things that have been scheduled are being held up by the budget slashers. The new Republican majority passed a bill prohibiting the State from accepting the already approved federal money, but the governor vetoed it and they were unable to over ride the veto.
. Many things that have been scheduled are being held up by the budget slashers. The new Republican majority passed a bill prohibiting the State from accepting the already approved federal money, but the governor vetoed it and they were unable to over ride the veto.
Have forgotten is Govenor REP or DEM? What is with the Republican party ? Are they out to push roads to the detriment of everything else ? They still seem to support airports ?
The governor is a Democrat and she just announced that she is not going to run in November.
On a side note, the Republicans have proposed a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. The polls show that most people are against the amendment, so they have put it in the primary election in May instead of the general election in November assuming that more Republicans than Democrats and almost no Independents will be voting in the primary.
That's good on saving hours. Eastbound CZ was 5 1/2 hours late today, which is better than yesterday's 10 hours! And it wasn't even in Iowa yet.
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