Additional Thursday morning rail news:
Environmental assessment released for Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel project
The environmental assessment for Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel project says the work to rebuild the CSX Transportation tunnel to handle double-stack intermodal traffic would decrease emissions and fuel usage by moving traffic to and from the Port of Baltimore from road to rail. WJZ-TV reports the clearance project would allow the port to increase container traffic by at least 25% annually. It is part of a larger project that would increase clearances at 23 locations in three states between Baltimore and Philadelphia. The work is expected to take 36 to 48 once CSX obtains all required permits. The public permit period on the environmental report is now in progress and continues through March 30. Links to the full report and information on commenting is available here.
Work halted on part of Honolulu rail project; jobs being assessed for cuts
Honolulu’s problem-plagued light rail project has halted construction on one section, where the route may be shifted. Hawaii News Now reports that Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation interim CEO Lori Kahikina said work has stopped on section along Dillingham Boulevard because design drawings were not 100% complete, which is required to obtain the necessary permits. Also, the right-of-way for the mostly elevated system may shift from the center of the boulevard to one side because of high-voltage lines and other utilities that need to be relocated. The project is currently $2 billion to $3 billion over budget, Kahikina said. The CEO said she is also reviewing every job involved in the program, both staff and consultants, and aims to announce job cuts by the end of March.
Weekday Acela trains now included in Amtrak pet program
Amtrak is expanding its carry-on pet program to include trips on weekday Acela trains. Dogs and cats up to 20 pounds may travel on board for $26 or 800 Amtrak Guest Rewards points. Previously, pets were allowed only on weekend Acela trips. Eight pet spaces will be available per train trip, one per customer; pets are not allowed in First Class or café cars. More information is available here. Amtrak says more than 174,000 have traveled with their human companions since the pet program began in October 2015.
I hope the environmental assessment also takes into account the ability to run double stacked IM on the CSX I-95 corridor all the way into NY/NJ and beyond (Syracuse, Worcester, Buffalo) as well as Toronto and Montreal via CN connections.
This could take a lot of trucks off I-95 if CSX gets the service plan and pricing right (lower costs per unit could/should result in lower rates). Which could lead to a virtuous circle of crow that could double frequencies and thereby improve any service that relies on connections between trains.
I assume the Howard Street work is supposed to take 36 to 48 months as no units of time (or money) were given.