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

5 Michigan Line History PRESENT

Michigan Accelerated Rail Program Segments 6 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 Traffic at Roadway crossings  Contract work requires complete roadway closing  Roadways under multiple local jurisdictions  Contract sets general parameters  Contractor must design  Work Zone Traffic 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 Passenger Corridor 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

19 Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Corridor 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