Passenger Trains for South Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads Partnership

Norfolk, VANorfolk, VA 

July 17, 2009

Deborah ButlerExecutive Vice President – Planning & CIONorfolk Southern Corporation

Outline

Background and Recent Developments

Norfolk Southern’s Route and RoleNorfolk Southern s Route and Role

What Needs to be Done

N t StNext Steps

Background

2002 – High Speed Rail Feasibility Study

2004 – Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Study (Alternatives Analysis‐Scoping Report)Study (Alternatives Analysis‐Scoping Report)

2008 – Hampton Roads MPO Regional Travel Delay Study

Recent Developments

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) High Speed Rail Program 

$8 billion now

$5 billion later?

Administered by US DOT

Intense Competition for FundsVirginia ‐ $2 billion+

North Carolina ‐ $4 billion+

40 states (pl s D C ) ha e req ested $102 billion40 states (plus D.C.) have requested $102 billion

Passenger Trains on NS’s Route

Main Freight Route to Hampton Roads

Coal conduit

Keeps trailers and containers off the roadsroads

Where Heartland Corridor BeginsWill complete in 2010Will complete in 2010

Vital to competitiveness of the Port

Doublestack Routes From Hampton Roads

Current Doublestack RoutesHeartland Corridor RouteHeartland Corridor Route

Cowan Tunnel ‐ Before

Cowan Tunnel ‐ During

Cowan Tunnel ‐ After

Passenger Trains on NS’s Route

Can Be Upgraded to Handle Passenger Trains

Eastbound NS traink “ k h ”passing Amtrak “Lake Shore”

and light rail trainat Amtrak station, Cleveland, Ohio,

Intercity Rail Passenger Routes – Norfolk‐RichmondExisting Amtrak Service                           Possible Alternative                  

Richmond Staples Mill

Richmond Main Street

Petersburg

Newport News

Norfolk

Norfolk Southern                CSXT Trackage                     CSXT Peninsula Route                  Bus

What Needs to be DoneUpgrade NS’s Norfolk‐Petersburg Route

For conventional higher speed (79 mph) trains, not high speed railAdd new capacity for passenger trainsp y p g

Build Stations and Acquire EquipmentUpgrade CSXT’s Richmond‐Petersburg Route

P t f W hi t Ch l tt Hi h S d C idPart of Washington‐Charlotte High Speed CorridorVirginia asking $150 million+ for initial work

Secure FundingFor upgrading infrastructure (generally federal)For ongoing operating costs (generally state)

Norfolk Southern’s Role

Provide Route

Operate Passenger Trains?Operate Passenger Trains?

Cooperate and Advocate…

B t N t B S f F d…But Not Be a Source of Funds

Next Steps

NS is Identifying Improvements Needed to Host Passenger Trains 

RTC StudyRTC StudySpotlights choke pointsHelps determine additional infrastructure needed

Design and cost of improvements to avoid delay 

DRPT Completing Federal DEIS in Next 45‐60 DaysPublic commentsPublic commentsRoute recommendations

Goal: Funds from ARRA Round 2 – Mid‐2010Goal: Funds from ARRA Round 2  Mid 2010

Diagram of Typical RTC ModelRed Lines Suggest Locations Where Additional Infrastructure is Needed

Next Steps

NS is Identifying Improvements Needed to Host Passenger Trains 

RTC StudyRTC StudySpotlights choke pointsHelps determine additional infrastructure needed

Design and cost of improvements to avoid delay 

DRPT Completing Federal DEIS in Next 45‐60 DaysPublic commentsPublic commentsRoute recommendations

Goal: Funds from ARRA Round 2 – Mid‐2010Goal: Funds from ARRA Round 2  Mid 2010

Thank You

Questions?