[OKC] FW: [PassRailOK] NEWS-FLASH!!! Amtrak Expansion::: FRA RELEASES FY-2010 AWARDS

[Shauna Struby]

From: sfrr at aol.com [mailto:sfrr at aol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 1:41 PM
To: EvanStair at PassengerRailOK.org
Subject: [PassRailOK] NEWS-FLASH!!! Amtrak Expansion::: FRA RELEASES FY-2010
AWARDS

 

[PassRailOK] NEWS-FLASH:  FRA RELEASES FY-2010 AWARDS:::

Here is an update on the Federal Railroad Administration, High Speed
Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) program awards released today.  HSIPR
Grants have now been announced for a full $10.5 billion.  A new HSIPR map
has been released to reflect awards to date.  Commentary will be provided in
the next issue of This Week on the Flyer Corridor.  This newsletter is
located at www.PassengerRailOK.org and www.PassengerRailKS.org.  

 

The summary here focuses only upon the Flyer and Tulsa-Oklahoma City
corridors.

 

APPROVED FY-2010 AWARDS:::            

OKLAHOMA:::

1) Project::: Oklahoma City Depot Signaling and Power Switch ($1.6 million)

Construction of a track extension and installation of new signal and power
switches that will allow the Heartland Flyer to exit the Oklahoma City
station without having to make a reverse move.

 

Comment:  Presently Heartland Flyer equipment uses a single ended track.
This construction will allow mainline access in both south and north
directions.  This would be beneficial if the route is ever extended to
Kansas City and/or Tulsa.

 

2) Planning::: Service Development Plan/NEPA environmental Tulsa-Oklahoma
City ($2.2 million)

Completion of a Service Development Plan and corridor environmental study
for the Tulsa-Oklahoma City segment of the South Central High-Speed Rail
Corridor.

 

COMMENT:  It is important that communities along the Tulsa - Oklahoma City
route communicate with area legislators immediately.  If you need assistance
please contact Evan Stair at sfrr at aol.com or Councilman Westcott at
dist2 at tulsacouncil.org in Tulsa. There is an urgent need to redirect ODOT.
ODOT's FY-09 $2 billion application between Oklahoma City and Tulsa did not
even rate FRA technical evaluation.  This signals that the FRA may be
looking at using existing state owned conventional Oklahoma City - Tulsa
infrastructure, not the brand new 125MPH route proposed by ODOT.  The
difference in cost is $220 million for conventional to $2 billion for the
brand new route. (see also Texas award 1)

 

3) Planning::: Oklahoma State Rail Plan ($384,000)

Completion of updates to Oklahoma's 1992 State Rail Plan to meet the
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 and Federal Railroad
Administration requirements.

 

TEXAS:::

1) Planning::: Oklahoma City – South Texas Corridor ($5.6 million)

Completion of feasibility studies, a Service Development Plan, and
environmental work for the designated high-speed rail corridor of Oklahoma
City to Dallas/Ft. Worth, with a potential extension to Austin and San
Antonio.

 

Comment:  This was a joint application.  Texas and Oklahoma are getting
together to look closely to develop the South Central High Speed Rail
Corridor.  This can be considered along with Oklahoma item 2.  Where is
Kansas?!?!?

 

NOTE:  NO KRUM STATION ENGINEERING PLAN LISTED.  THIS WILL REQUIRE
FOLLOW-UP!

 

KANSAS::: 

1) Planning::: PE/NEPA Study for Lawrence Station Improvements ($87,563)

Completion of preliminary engineering and final design required for
improvement and restoration of the Amtrak Station located in Lawrence,
Kansas. Will ultimately improve the station for passengers on the Amtrak
Southwest Chief and historically preserve this transportation facility for
the community-at-large.

 

COMMENT:  Congratulations to Depot Redux in Lawrence, KS.  Their hard work
has paid off... I told you so Carey! Way to Go Diane!

 

References:::

 

UPDATED HSIPR MAP

http://www.fra.dot.gov/rpd/downloads/HSIPR_FINAL_Overlay_Map_1028.pdf

 

FY-09 FY-10 AWARDS

http://www.fra.dot.gov/rpd/downloads/Summary_of_FY10_Selected_Projects_1010.
pdf

 

HSIPR HOME

http://www.fra.dot.gov/rpd/passenger/2243.shtml

 

 

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