Part of the Station make over includes increasing the thru put of the first street tunnel. However ventilation of the tunnel is a prolem. The NFPA requirement 130 will only allow one train in each direction in the tunnel at a time. To add more trains will require a vertilation method for each train mid tunnel. The mid point is at the capitol building yard so no go. Probably a separate ventilation tunnel will have to be built? Here is a section of the new B&P tunnel bores final decision that explains.
Quote
The Selected Alternative must be designed and constructed in compliance with all current standards relative to Fire Life and Safety, which includes compliance with the NFPA 130. Emergency access/egress for pedestrians must be accomplished via emergency exits no farther than 2,500 feet apart or cross passages between tunnels every 800 feet or less, or in some situations, a combination of both. Under the Selected Alternative, three locations will provide for emergency egress to the surface, working with cross passages in the tunnels. Emergency egress to ground level will be provided at the South Ventilation Facility, at the Intermediate Ventilation Facility, and at the North Ventilation Facility. Additionally, an egress tunnel located parallel to the main tunnel bores will provide an egress passage from an egress cavern located between the Intermediate Ventilation Facility and the north portal. This egress tunnel will connect to the egress corridor incorporated into the Intermediate Ventilation Facility air plenum tunnel,The Selected Alternative must be designed and constructed in compliance with all current standards relative to Fire Life and Safety, which includes compliance with the NFPA 130. Emergency access/egress for pedestrians must be accomplished via emergency exits no farther than 2,500 feet apart or cross passages between tunnels every 800 feet or less, or in some situations, a combination of both. Under the Selected Alternative, three locations will provide for emergency egress to the surface, working with cross passages in the tunnels. Emergency egress to ground level will be provided at the South Ventilation Facility, at the Intermediate Ventilation Facility, and at the North Ventilation Facility. Additionally, an egress tunnel located parallel to the main tunnel bores will provide an egress passage from an egress cavern located between the Intermediate Ventilation Facility and the north portal. This egress tunnel will connect to the egress corridor incorporated into the Intermediate Ventilation Facility air plenum tunnel,
END QUOTE
Have no idea how much Grandfarthering will mitigate but ventilation is metioned about increasing thru put.
Just found out another highly probable reason Amtrak wants to take over the lease. Leesee will not allow some 1st street stuunel work, The link below is the revised June 15, 2022 NEC FY 22 - 26 capital investment plan, The item in question is the sub basement program. First surprize was the track 22 restoration was listed under the sub basement program.
Found out track 22 is necessary to repair sub basement. The sub basement project will replace bridging supporting the tracks at the portal of the 1st street tunnel. That bridging is now has extra shoring to keep it from collasping.
Trying to speculate that if it should collaspe before track 22 is finished that there would not be any service thru 1st street tunnel? A thought also if another earthquake happened like the one that damaged the Washington monument might it collaspe or did that earthquake help damage it?
See page A3-298 Justification
https://nec-commission.com/app/uploads/2022/03/FY22-26-Capital-Investment-Plan-02-Appendix-Amended-Mar-22.pdf
Quote "The Subbasement Reconstruction program is a necessary State of Good Repair project, as the Subbasement currently has temporary shoring to keep the track bed for the run-through tracks intact. Collapse of the Subbasement would have significant impacts to not only the NEC but the entire eastern rail network. Track 22 will allow the Subbasement Reconstruction to proceed without major cuts to current service levels. UNQUOTE
Page A3-298 justification
Suddenly the holder of of the lease is going to fight the Amtrak takeover. Have to wonder if that was the leasee holder intention from the beginning. Just get as much money as possible. Wonder how much they are paying the government holder? The lessee probably found out that no tenants wanted to deal with it.
Union Station operator blasts Amtrak bid to take over by eminent domain (msn.com)
The mess of US not being updated has gone to court filing eminent domain proceedings. Amtrak offered $250M to take whole station over from USI. Evidently USI is in trouble being close to bankruptcy. Amtrak probably worried USI will try to sell its stake to someone else. Amtrak has filed $250M to the court. Amtrak maintains that it has been unable to make some needed repairs and has too little space there. That may explain why the station is the way it is?
Amtrak moves to seize control of Union Station (msn.com)is
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.