Rail & State of Good Repair

Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff announced $776 million in investment to support the ongoing maintenance and vehicle needs of transit providers across the nation. While the bulk of the investment is rightly targeted to help transit agencies purchase new buses and bus maintenance facilities – which also helps those systems also operating rail networks by improving the organization's overall stability – there were a few projects that have real or potential benefits for passenger rail operations.

The most prominent is the $7.4 million investment to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to renovate its historic Carrollton streetcar barn, which houses the agency's equally historic St. Charles Streetcars. The 1893 barn is the nation's oldest continually operating transit maintenance facility and was mercifully spared from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, unlike its newer counterpart on Canal Street. The renovation process will make the building ADA-compliant and introduce improved and energy-efficient lighting, new floors and waste treatment systems as well as security devices. 

Additionally, the Jacksonville Transit Authority will receive more than $2.3 million to rehabilitate the bus facilities at three of the system's eight Sykyway elevated people mover stations. The work will improve the electrical and structural components at the stations to enhance the passenger experience for travelers connecting between the Skyway and local bus routes. The 2.5-mile Skyway – similar to other people movers in Detroit and Miami – opened in 1989 to serve downtown Jacksonville attractions and spans the St. John's River to reach the south side of the downtown area. 

Finally, although not yet connected to any passenger rail service, one of the largest grants – $16 million – was awarded to the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) for the construction of the Twin Points Multimodal Transportation Terminal. In addition to serving local bus routes of the DTA, intercity bus lines, taxis, car rental providers and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, the facility could serve as the northern terminus for the planned Northern Lights Express intercity passenger rail operation to Minneapolis. The 155-mile corridor would host trains every two hours and reach speeds up to 110 mph. The presence of an established multimodal facility in Duluth will make the project more attractive for federal and state investment.