| Oregon applies for $13.1 million of rejected high-speed rail funds |
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| ODOT News |
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April 7, 2011
For more information: Shelley Snow (503) 986-3438
The Oregon Department of Transportation submitted its application this week for some of the $2.4 billion in high-speed passenger rail funds that Florida Governor Rick Scott rejected in February. ODOT’s Rail Division requested $13.1 million for five projects that would improve mobility, increase train speeds and create cost savings.
“It is clearly in Oregon's interest to develop bold transportation alternatives and support for high speed rail development is definitely welcome here," said Governor John Kitzhaber.
The projects have all been reviewed and recommended by the Rail Advisory Committee.
They include four congestion improvements in the Portland area and at the Eugene station, and the purchase and overhaul of three locomotives. Applications were due on Monday, April 4, and there are at least half-dozen states vying for the extra funds in a competitive process.
Visit the ODOT Rail Division website for more information and to sign up for e-mail updates.
Projects included in ODOT’s request for funding, submitted April 4, 2011:
Project
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Description
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Request
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The Curves Between East Portland and Albina
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Preliminary engineering to improve track speed between East Portland and Albina Yard from the current 6 MPH to 20 MPH. Slow moving freight trains using this route can cause congestion for passenger trains and other freight trains as they slowly creep out of the way.
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$1,200,000
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Lake Yard Upgrades
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Preliminary engineering to improve mobility at Lake Yard in North Portland. Upgrades will eliminate the need for movements entering and leaving the yard to stop and manually throw switches necessary for travel, reducing the amount of time necessary to occupy the main tracks. This smoothing of freight train ingress/egress will reduce congestion that can delay passenger trains.
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$700,000
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Double track from Willsburg Jct to Clackamas
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Preliminary engineering to extend double track south from Willsburg Jct to allow full efficiency of queuing trains to allow better fluidity for passenger trains approaching Willsburg Jct.
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$3,700,000
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Eugene Station Layover Tracks
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Preliminary engineering to construct two stub tracks at the downtown Eugene passenger station to permit Cascades corridor passenger trains to be parked overnight, eliminating the current practice of storing them at Eugene Yard, which requires extra time and expense to travel back and forth.
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$1,500,000
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Locomotives
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Purchase and overhaul three used locomotives.
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$6,000,000
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Total
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$13,100,000
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