Warren Skaalrud’s Post

The Federal Railroad Administration is set to distribute over $153 million in grants for passenger rail operations costs through its Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program. This funding supports new, restored, and enhanced passenger rail services across the U.S., covering initial operating expenses for up to six years. Applications will open soon, and submissions are due 75 days after the Federal Register is published: https://lnkd.in/gJyq_Yk3 Eligible projects include new route services, restoration of discontinued routes, and enhancements to existing routes. Investing in our passenger rail infrastructure not only improves travel experiences but also boosts economic growth and promotes sustainability. #PassengerRail #InfrastructureInvestment #Sustainability #EconomicGrowth #Transportation #FederalFunding #RailwayDevelopment #PublicTransport

A key takeaway from JOC's Port Performance conference was the amount of infrastructure investment made by Port authorities, specifically around rail. The Port of Long Beach is quadrupling rail capacity as ~2/3 of its cargo moves east of the Mississippi River via rail. This is further supported by the ~$1.5B investment BNSF makes in the Barstow International Gateway. On the East Coast, The Port of Virginia is amid a rail expansion project set to increase its capacity by >35% as ~1/3 of its cargo is transported via rail. We’re encouraged by these secular tailwinds as we look to what we believe will be a very active 2024 for us across the mid-Atlantic and Midwest! #commercialrealestate #commercialrealestateinvesting #industrial #industrialcre #intermodal #intermodaltransport #logistics #logisticsrealestate #supplychainresilience #infrastructureinvestment

Please Share! South Carolina is at a pivotal moment, and your voice matters! We have an incredible opportunity to influence the expansion of passenger rail services in our state, and they need YOUR input to make it happen. Imagine a South Carolina where: 🌐 Our communities are more connected. 🚄 We enjoy faster, more efficient transportation across the state. 💼 Economic growth is spurred by improved accessibility and mobility. The South Carolina Passenger Rail Study is now open for public input, and we need every voice to be heard. Whether you’re a daily commuter, a business traveler, or someone who values enhanced travel options, this is your chance to make a difference. 📢 Take Action Today: - Fill out the survey - Share this post - Spread the word: Talk to friends, family, and colleagues about the importance of this initiative. Together, we can advocate for a future where passenger rail is a viable and vibrant part of our transportation system in South Carolina. Let’s make our voices heard and shape a better tomorrow! #SouthCarolina #PassengerRail #Transportation #Sustainability #Community #PublicInput #MakeADifference

High Speed Rail (HSR) for Texas offers massive potential benefits for the state, but opposition from various groups and commercial interests still block any sign of shovels-in-the-ground. What are the criticisms and who do they come from? Meanwhile, there's no limit to state support of multi-lane highways. TEXAS HIGH SPEED RAIL AND TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION Hunt Realty Investments American High Speed Rail Alliance Amtrak #texastransportation #texasrail #texasinfrastructure #highspeedrail

Significant initiative and formulation of great strategy. I would add that in the formulation of a funding strategy we must remember that the US cannot afford to get funding by increasing the deficit and even if the grant process means that there must be 20% of the funding must be committed along with the application. Consideration must be given to HR 4052, the creation of the Nation’s fifth National Infrastructure Bank. The NIB will compliment existing funding sources and fund ALL infrastructure projects. We must reimagine America’s aging infrastructure. Check out nibcoalition.com. #nationalinfrastructurebank

Who thought about the "Iron Highway" or "Pacific Gateway" first? Was it that Island Rail Corp? Nope. Was it me? Nope. It was the Island Corridor foundation working with the 14 First Nations and the 5 regional districts the railway passes through. Right in the Executive summary they talk about it without calling it by name. "freight operations throughout the entire Island, with particular emphasis on our ports." Port Alberni wants to build a Trans Shipment Hub 30 km's down the Alberni inlet called PATH https://pathbc.ca, and they already have berths for freighters now. Southern Rail of Vancouver Island, the Island Corridor Foundations contracted operator already has a Seaspan Rail ferry birth at Wellcox Yard in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, and on Annacis Island in Vancouver. https://lnkd.in/gR9SFDNr The BC Freight Analysis suggested building a spur out to Duke Point to connect with DP Nanaimo's short sea shipping operation https://lnkd.in/ghkG7bnY "Developing a rail connection to Duke Point would provide synergetic benefits for the area and the Island Rail Corridor" So when you hear "Iron Highway" or "Pacific Gateway" know that it is owned by the Island Corridor Foundation, and supporting them is the only way we will every see it come to fruition. Restore Island Rail We need change https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr

Great to participate in the England's Economic Heartland Conference yesterday. Mike Keegan, our Director of Transport Planning and Policy, provided a GBRTT update to attendees, and was part of a panel discussing the benefits of joined up thinking when planning strategic infrastructure in the region.   Mike set out: 👉 The continuing need for reform of the rail industry. 👉 How we will align the railway’s strategy with local transport, housing, economic and environmental priorities. 👉 How the development of a long term strategy will make it easier for regions and railway industry to engage meaningfully with each other. #GBRTT #EnglandsEconomicHeartland #railreform #localtransport

Four years ahead of schedule and £1.5 billion below budget- where did it all go right for the "Crossrail of the North"? I've been looking at a rare success story on the railways, which could restore confidence in our ability to grapple with failures such as the £16 billion backlog of pothole repairs and the daunting £96 billion task of fixing crumbling sewers and building new reservoirs. At exactly the same time last Autumn that the government was hobbling HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd by abandoning the construction of the northern leg from Handsacre (north of Birmingham) to Manchester, it was switching its attention to funding a £11.5 billion fully electrified line between Manchester and York. (50m passengers every year compared to 151m for the Elizabeth Line). This attracted little interest because the project, the The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) Route Upgrade had been around for more than a decade and had become a bit of an embarrassment. Dithering by the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom meant that it had already frittered £190m on work which will have to be written off. Along came Neil H. fresh from six years working on Britain's two aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, where he was programme director. Rishi Sunak's decision on HS2 marked the point where the government made clear the country could no longer bankroll the wasteful and inefficient practices of the railway industry. Holm at Network Rail took note, and, working closelynwith the DfT, tore up the business plan. In came better ways of working which lopped £1.5 billion off the budget ( and freed up funds for a future order of 29 dedicated trains for the Transpennine line) Holm likens the construction work to to performing open-heart surgery on a marathon runner:passengers want to travel every day, yet construction workers need to close the railway for 160 days a year until at least the end of the decade. Success depends on getting as much work done on the line in as little time as possible — and this is where the innovations are paying off.  Night time working has been extended from five hours to seven to reduce time wasted setting up and dismantling. Holm won't have to demolish 18 bridges for electrification because the line will use new techniques to install the cables safely in the existing space. He won't have to spend hundreds of millions of pounds against the risk of mine workings collapsing, because of better risk assessment techniques. There will be less disruption from unexpected power cables and water pipes, because a digital model of the works will warn them in advance. This coming Good Friday the line will shut down for ten days at Huddersfield. It will be a long haul - but by 2037 the line should be complete. It will also be the first leg of Northern Powerhouse Rail, a scheme to "level up" the country. Henri Murison Huw Merriman TransPennine Express Darren Caplan Andy Bagnall https://lnkd.in/eytdeSsX

"...Network Rail has produced an efficiency profile for CP7 for each of its regions and National Functions that aligns in total with our final determination. The supporting documentation to the final delivery plan provided more detail on regional efficiencies. This is positive but we have not yet seen sufficient information about how these efficiencies will be delivered..." (excerpt from ORR's 28-Mar letter to NR https://lnkd.in/e3a3R5aF ). >>> Getting each NR Region to properly start ‘pulling’ on Digital PACE is necessary if a meaningful contribution to the efficiencies piece is to be achieved; see - https://lnkd.in/eGHEu9DW & - https://lnkd.in/eAAB8SxZ #capitaldelivery #ControlPeriod7 #GreatBritishRail #MethodGrid #NetworkRail #NetworkRailConsulting #PACE #ProjectManagement #rail

VIA RAIL SAYS IT'S TIME TO START REPLACING ITS AGING FLEET OF RAIL CARS. Many cars were built between 1946 and 1955, and serve a network of 10,000 kilometres. Unless the government commits to funding the replacement of the long-distance train fleet, allowing procurement to start in 2024, all of VIA Rail Canada’s passenger train services outside the Windsor to Quebec City corridor will have to be withdrawn due to lack of serviceable equipment, starting in the early 2030s. Sign the Transport Action Canada House of Commons petition, it closes tomorrow at 3:21 p.m. (Eastern) or 12:21 (Pacific) https://lnkd.in/gTQHChAB The petition to the House of Commons is calling for the funding of the long-distance fleet, restoration of passenger train priority, and revisions to the High Frequency Rail project to protect VIA Rail’s role in delivering public passenger rail service along the Windsor to Quebec City corridor. Join 13,100 voices wanting Vancouver Island's railway restored too! https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr Restore Island Rail https://lnkd.in/dPqHVSad