More Monday morning rail news:
Uinta Basin project aims to start construction in 2021
The company seeking to build the Uinta Basin Railway in Utah has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board seeking an exemption that would allow it to begin construction of the line in 2021. Board approval is typically required for construction of new rail lines, but the petition from Seven County Infrastructure Coalition says the line should be exempt from STB’s prior-approval requirement because it is not needed “to further the goals of the Rail Transportation Policy or protect shippers from abuse of market power.” The exemption would be subject to completion of environmental analysis. [See “STB moves forward with environmental study for proposed Utah railroad,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 20, 2019.] Among other details, the petition notes that the company would not operate the railroad after building it, but would contract with “an existing, experienced railroad;” that the line will be 80 to 103 miles, depending on the route chosen, with the preferred route measuring 87.7 miles, and that construction would take 20 to 28 months and is expected to cost $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion. The railroad will be used primarily to ship crude oil and frac sand.
Proposed reservation plan for LIRR draws fire
A proposed reserved-ticketing plan for the Long Island Rail Road, discussed as a possible way to aid social distancing on the commuter railroad as the New York area emerges from its lockdown, may be “unachievable,” according to the union that represents LIRR conductors, while others are also skeptical. Newsday reports that Anthony Simon, general chairman of the International Association of Sheet Metal and Transportation Workers, says the LIRR system is “too large, wide open, and moves too quickly to attempt to control who boards trains. … It’s just unrealistic to think our train crews, even if supported by other resources, will be able to safely manage reservations.” Passenger and politicians have also voiced doubts about the plan, which was first raised by Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Patrick J. Foye during a Newsday event in May [see “Bay Area’s SMART may buy out Northwestern Pacific …,” News Wire Digest, May 20, 2020.]
Amtrak may expand use of assigned seating
Amtrak could expand the use of assigned seating as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Already used in first class on Acela Express trains and business class on Northeast Regional trains, the feature could be used to help social distancing, the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union reports. Amtrak spokesman Jason Abrams told the paper, “We are working on options to expand assigned seating and reserved travel.” He offered no details on when this might happen.
