sponsored by cedar rapids area chamber of commerce and the the greater cedar rapids community...

Sponsored by

Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

and the

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

What is the feasibility of regularly scheduled

passenger rail service and/or special event

excursion rail service?

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Feasibility Study Investors…

• Cedar Rapids• Hiawatha• Marion• Coralville• Iowa City• North Liberty• Tiffin• University Heights

• Linn County• Johnson County• University of Iowa

• CRANDIC Railroad• Iowa Interstate Railroad

• Consultant: RL Banks

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

OPPORTUNITIES:

• Cooperating Railroads• Very Well Located Trackage• Community Interest

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Task 1

INFRASTRUCTURE

& CAPITAL EXPENSE

• Track• Stations• Parking Lots• Layover Tracks• Rolling Stock

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Task 2

SERVICE PLAN

& POTENTIAL CONFLICTS

• Work around existing freight operations• From ADM to north is congested• Maximum existing speed is 30 mph

• Special event excursion service• Eastern Iowa Airport to Iowa City• North Liberty to Iowa City

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Task 3

DEMAND ESTIMATION

• Special event excursions• Daily commute• Year 2000 and Year 2030• Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

HAWKEYE EXPRESS

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

Corridor Events…

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

Special Event & Attraction Locations…

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

Peak Event Calendar…

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

Chicago Transit-Oriented Development…

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

Proposed Iowa City/CoralvilleTOD’s….

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

Proposed Cedar Rapids TOD…

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Task 4

INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Capital• Operating & Maintenance• Funding Options

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

CONCLUSIONS

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

WHAT IS FEASIBLE TODAY?

• Special Event Excursions• Vintage Excursions

– Equipment is Available

– Equipment is Affordable

COSTS: $3,000 -40,000 to rent

$440,000 to own

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

WHAT IS FEASIBLE IN 3-5 YEARS?

• North Liberty to Downtown Iowa City– Would require special earmark funding

– Could replace some bus routes

– “Park & Ride” possibilities in North Liberty and UI Oakdale Campus

CAPITAL COSTS (Cadillac Version): $18.6 million

ANNUAL OPERATIONAL COSTS: $4 million

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

WHAT IS FEASIBLE IN 6-20 YEARS?

• Eastern Iowa Airport to Downtown IC*– Express Bus Links to Downtown CR &

Kirkwood Community College

• Transit Oriented Developments (TODs)– Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty,

Cedar Rapids

– Consistent Community Plans

*CAPITAL COSTS: $35.2 million

*ANNUAL OPERATIONAL COSTS: $11.9 million

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

Total Cost of High Speed Commuter Rail to/from Cedar Rapids & Iowa City: $70 Million $70 MILLION DOLLARS? (includes new CR ADM Right of Way)

Things to Remember…Estimated Cost of adding 1 additional lane To I-380 (between CR & Coralville): $400 Million

Tiffin to Dodge Street I-80 Improvements: $75 Million

Future Gas Prices

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study

07 December 2006

QUESTIONS