Passenger/Freight Railroad Projects in

Michigan

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)*

• Provides access to national system to many companies with otherwise limited transportation options.

*excludes Michigan Line

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

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Michigan Line History

1846 - 1867 1867 - 1968

1968 - 1976

1976 - 1998

1998 - 2012

2012 - PRESENT

Michigan Accelerated Rail Program Segments

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SECTION 1

SECTION 4

SECTION 3

SECTION 2

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

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

12

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

13

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)

14

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

15

Challenges

• Maintenance of Traffi c at Roadway crossings Contract work requires complete roadway closing Roadways under multiple local jurisdictions Contract sets general parameters Contractor must design

Work Zone Traffi c Control Plan Detours and signage Schedule and closing duration

Each crossing paid for as a lump sum

16

Project Status

Work Accomplished To-Date• Track bed graded and ballasted• Initial 8” of ballast layer being placed• Rail strings fabricated and delivered

17

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

18

Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac PassengerCorridor 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

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Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac PassengerCorridor 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.

20

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

21

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