northeast hsr

The Northeast: A Network of Corridors

The Northeast Rail Network

Improving Today, Planning Tomorrow

Federal Railroad AdministrationThe Northeast Regional Rail Workshop

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaJune 2, 2009

Northeast Designated High Speed Rail Corridors

Source: FRA, October 2005

Northeast Intercity Passenger Rail Network


The Northeast Regional Rail Network

A Network of Corridors Serving 12 State Region and Beyond

Northeast Corridor (NEC) Spine: Boston – Washington, D.C Nation’s Most Complex, Heavily Used Passenger Rail Corridor Four Public Owners: Amtrak, NY/MTA, CTDOT, MA/MBTA Intense, Mixed Use Traffic: Amtrak, 8 Commuter Railroads, 7 Freight Railroads

Connectors to the NEC Spine Northeastern New England Corridors: Downeaster, Boston-Montreal, Knowledge Corridor, Vermont Western Corridor Burlington to NYC Empire Corridor: NYC-Albany-Niagara Falls, NYC-Albany-Montreal Keystone Corridor - Harrisburg-Philadelphia NEC Extension – Virginia

Public and Private Ownership: Amtrak, States, Class I, Regional and Short Lines Mixed Use Traffic

Serves Over 50 Million PeopleLinks Major Metropolitan Areas and Rural/Small Urban CommunitiesConnects Northeast - Canada & States South and West


Established System – Expanding Demand for Service

Today: 2,500 Trains Daily: High Speed, Regional, Long-distance Intercity Service,

Commuter, Freight High Speed Service: NEC, Empire (South), Keystone Corridors 260 Million Riders Annually 14 Million Intercity Passengers

NEC Spine: 10.8 Million NEC Connectors: 3.5 Million

Many NEC Spine Segments – Near or At Capacity Reliability Challenged by Infrastructure Condition and Growth in

Ridership


CONEG Governors’ Vision And Goals2008

Strengthen Rail as an Integral Component of the Northeast’s Transportation System

Objective: Strategically Expand Passenger Rail Service

Increased Ridership by 2030: Double Intercity & Commuter Ridership 2030Projections/Current Plans Intercity >26 Million Total > 415 Million Trains >3500

Quality Service: Safe, Reliable, Frequent, Higher Speed, Time-Price Competitive Higher Speed Regional And Premium Service Expanded Service in Existing and New Markets Reduced Travel Times. More Frequent Service. Reliable Performance

Greater System Efficiency Enhanced Intermodal Connectivity Comprehensive Coordinated Planning of Infrastructure-Operational Improvements


Needs For The Corridor Network

Reliability, Speed, Growth Reliable Infrastructure

State of Good Repair, Backlog of Deferred Investments

Capacity for Growth Intercity, Commuter, Freight New Services – New Communities Served

Improved Connectivity

Enhanced Competiveness of Goods Movement

Infrastructure & Equipment Improvements Tracks, Bridges, Alignments, Interlockings, Stations, Catenary & Signals New and More Equipment


Plans For The Corridor Network

System-Wide Expanded State Corridors Improved Trip Times More Frequent & Reliable Service Freight Route Protection & Improved Port Access



Downeaster Extension and Expansion Portland-Brunswick Extension Portland-Boston Enhancements

Boston-New Hampshire Service

New Haven-Hartford-Springfield-Vermont Corridor Knowledge Corridor Track Relocation

Vermont-Albany-NYC Track & Bridge Improvements



Empire Corridor Empire South: NYC-Albany

Station/Track Improvements Bridge Rehabilitation

Empire West: Albany-Niagara Falls 3rd Track Initiative – Passenger Service

Empire North: Albany-Montreal Track Improvements Border Crossing Enhancements



Keystone Improvements



NEC Spine Bridges: CT, NJ, MD Station Enhancements

Moynihan Station-NYC BWI Airport Rail Station Washington Union Station

Enhanced Service: Boston-Providence-New Haven NEC Service Extension South

DC-Richmond


Linked Corridors = Regional Partnerships

The Northeast Experience: States, Amtrak, Freight and CommunitiesWorking Together to Improve Intercity Passenger Rail Service.

CONEG Governors: Regional Cooperation on ARRA Rail Initiatives

Institutional Collaboration: Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and OperationsAdvisory Commission

CONEG Governors Vision for the Northeast Corridor Network

Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Master Plan

State Investments in Support of Intercity Infrastructure Joint Benefit Agreements Over $4 Billion

CONEG Governors High Speed Rail Task Force: Catalyst for High Speed Acela


Why Rail Networks are a Priority for Governors

Urban Highways & Airports At Capacity Rail – Only Cost-Effective Option To Simultaneously Expand

Mobility, Reduce Congestion and Improve the Environment NEC Electric – Lowest Per Passenger Emissions of Any Major

Transportation Mode Improved Intermodal Linkages – Rail Hub Improves Efficiency of

Broader Transportation Network NEC – Provides Essential Capacity For Goods Movements

To/From East Coast Ports and Industries

Mobility Economic GrowthLivable Communities Sustainable Environment


Thank You!

Presentation Contributors

Anne StubbsExecutive DirectorCONEG Policy Research Center, Inc.

Drew GallowayAssistant Vice President,

Strategic Partnerships, EastNational Railroad Passenger Corporation

Jeffrey ParkerDeputy CommissionerConnecticut Department of Transportation

Patricia QuinnExecutive DirectorNorthern New England Passenger Rail

Authority

Don HannonDirector, Office ofProgram Development & ManagementNew York State Department of

Transportation

H. Craig LewisVice President, Corporate AffairsNorfolk Southern

Richard SarlesExecutive DirectorNew Jersey Transit

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