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Southeast Transit/Commuter Rail/HSR Thread

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#1 · (Edited)
Southeast Transit/Commuter Rail/HSR Thread

For discussion and news regarding urban transit, regional commuter rail and high speed rail projects in the Southeast!

 
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#86 ·
More from Atlanta:

MARTA’s new five-year fiscal plan sees less pain, balanced budget

When MARTA General Manager Keith Parker came on board in December, the prospects for the transit system were dire.

The MARTA board had adopted a five-year budget plan that called for no salary increases for employees — continuing a practice that has been in place for five years. It called for a 25-cent fare increase in fiscal year 2014 (which begins in July 2013) to raise MARTA’s base fare to $2.75 — among the highest transit fares in the country. It projected reserves declining from $109.7 million in fiscal year 2013 to $1.5 million at the end of fiscal year 2018. And it still expected to face an unsustainable health-care business model.

On Thursday morning, Parker and MARTA CFO Davis Allen, who soon will have new duties as the project management director exploring privatization opportunities, presented an alternate five-year plan to the MARTA board’s Business Management Committee. It included:

Implementing an employee incentive payment plan

Re-opening restrooms

Having healthcare reform

Not increasing fares in fiscal year 2014

Enhancing security throughout the system

Having merit increases for employees

Restoring service to the system

Balancing the budget without depleting reserves

“We want to be the regional transit provider of choice,” Parker said. “The whole goal is to change the perception of MARTA.”
 
#87 ·
“We want to be the regional transit provider of choice,” Parker said. “The whole goal is to change the perception of MARTA.”

If they want to do this then the first thing I suggest they do is a literal two-fold rebranding:

- Separate the rail from the buses as entities, and give the rail a completely different name and identity. Rail is the future of regional and inter-city connections, MARTA is the inner-city option for urban Atlanta. Want the rail to expand? Distance it from the sour perceptions of the bus system.

This would also help in political discussions about funding where communities like Suwanee might want a rail stop but fear the prospect of a MARTA managed bus system.

- Remake MARTA. A new name might be on offering, but at the least the colors and branding have grown so stale to suburban consumers that they carry a stigma. Literally, give it a complete makeover.
 
#89 ·
I think when it comes to the situation with MARTA and reaching those outer areas it's going to take more than just rebranding or separating the brand. I believe that things will move forward when the public gets wise and leave their fears or misconceptions about expanding the services behind. But until that happens, it doesn't matter what you do, things won't go forward.
 
#91 ·
Raleigh Union Station enters the design phase.



You’ve been hearing the talk about this station, but with the federal grant that was awarded to Raleigh last September (read our previous post), this project is clearly moving into the action phase.

The City of Raleigh and NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are set to construct this new passenger train station in downtown Raleigh at 510 West Martin Street. This is the site of the former Dillon Supply viaduct building that has been vacant since 2005. The 26,000 square foot building will provide 7,950 square feet of passenger waiting area, quadrupling the waiting area of the existing Amtrak Station on Cabarrus Street.

This will be much more than a replacement for the existing Amtrak Station.

Raleigh Union Station will accommodate inter-city passenger rail service, commuter rail and local/regional buses. (See the Wake County Transit Plan.) The station will also eventually be linked through pedestrian walkways to the future high speed rail and light rail stations to be located a few blocks north.

The project is expected to transform the Warehouse District by creating new places to live, work and play, as well as providing a great connection between downtown, Glenwood South and neighborhoods located just west of the city.

The DLA was invited to attend a stakeholders meeting a few weeks ago to talk about some of the plans for the design of the station.

[...]
 
#93 ·
At this point in time the cost is $60 million:

Raleigh’s $60 million Union Station gets more funding

Published: September 20, 2012
By Bruce Siceloff


RALEIGH — The city will move a step closer to replacing its dinky Amtrak train depot Friday when state and federal officials announce more money to help build the 34,000-square-foot Union Station in a renovated brick warehouse on West Martin Street.

The news of a $21 million federal grant in June gave local officials the confidence to declare that construction will start in fall 2013 on the new passenger train station.

But it isn’t all paid for, not yet.

The cost, pegged by the city at $60 million, includes renovation of the old Dillon Supply Viaduct Building with new tracks and platforms and a parking lot – and the extension of nearby West Street in a new tunnel beneath a CSX railroad track.

The city has pledged $6 million. Triangle Transit says it will contribute the red-brick warehouse building and land, valued at $1.5 million. We’ll learn Friday how much more of the cost is covered in an announcement at the Viaduct site by Joseph Szabo, the federal railroad administrator.

[...]
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/09/20/2354490/raleighs-union-station-picks-up.html#storylink=cpy
But designs have not been finalized so depending on what's decided, it could rise.
 
#95 ·
Ideally Speaking, Where Should The Next Streetcars Go?



The Atlanta Beltline Inc.'s top brass met this week, and while they didn't select a new CEO from five finalists, they laid financial groundwork that could determine where future streetcar lines will snake through town. The ABI board approved four measures that should help position future streetcar projects to receive federal funding — which will be absolutely key to bringing additional lines to fruition, according to the Saporta Report. In short, the board authorized about $5 million to study these hypothetical projects; that would cover an "environmental assessment," "design services," and the more nebulous "project management support." Where's the cash coming from? The Beltline, and two Tax Allocation Districts (the Westside and Eastside, respectively). The Beltline and city still need to scrounge about $1 million, as one proposed line near Georgia Tech would stretch beyond the Eastside TAD.

Saporta notes that funding to actually build the streetcar lines has not been identified, but Beltline officials are certain the studies will better position the city to accept federal funding — should the cash-strapped feds start feeling generous. As of now, the potential routes that could complement the downtown Atlanta Streetcar loop are outlined below.

Potential next actions:

▪ Extending the Atlanta Streetcar under construction on the east side from Ebenezer Baptist Church to BeltLine's Eastside Trail;

▪ developing a new streetcar route along the Eastside Trail from Irwin Street to Ansley Mall;

▪ developing a streetcar route from Irwin Street south towards Grant Park;

▪ extending the Atlanta Streetcar on the west side from Centennial Olympic Park north towards Georgia Tech; and

▪ developing a new East-West streetcar line along North Avenue from the Eastside Trail to Maddox Park.
 
#96 ·
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is applying for a TIGER grant to extend the Skyway. They are also beginning a new in depth study to revamp the entire bus system. These are moves by JTA's new CEO Nat Ford. Ford was formerly the CEO of Atlanta's MARTA and San Francisco's MUNI.



Skyway could expand to Riverside

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- The Skyway is moving on up, or in this case, moving over. If everything falls into place, the downtown transit rail will extend into Riverside.

"It's really a cost-effective way for us to add a destination to the Skyway where we see a lot of development happening or in the works," Brad Thoburn said.

The Skyway saw record usage during the One Spark Festival.

Leaders believe events like that and projects like 220 Riverside will take the system to the next level. It will cost millions to add the new stop, but some existing rail on Riverside Avenue could help JTA cut down the bill.
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/conten...pand-to-Riverside/tDEnhEwk5UezLllnFMW2WQ.cspx
 
#98 ·
Officials to discuss Charlotte-Atlanta rail line

Posted: 4:01 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2013

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —


Transportation officials are set to hold the latest of three public hearings on proposed passenger rail service between Charlotte and Atlanta.

The Charlotte Observer reports (http://bit.ly/18XXGQf ) that the hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at the N.C. Department of Transportation office off Statesville Avenue in north Charlotte.

State and federal officials are proposing to extend the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor, under development from Washington to Charlotte, into the Atlanta area. The train would connect with the Georgia Multi Modal Passenger Terminal and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

There are six potential corridor route alternatives. Officials say others may also be evaluated if they're identified during agency and public scoping meetings.

A virtual meeting will also be available on the project website through July 4.

___
 
#99 ·
I was at the meeting in Suwanee Tuesday night and saw the webinar before that. Thus far the route scoring the most favorably would be a new-build line running south of I-85, called the greenfield proposal because most of the construction would be through relatively open, agrarian land. In looking at their preliminary assessments that makes the most sense considering you're looking for the straightest shot possible with the least amount of bridges, crossings, etc. Long-term alignment near most of the Interstate might yield the same benefit but they know they need to really pull that line tight if they're to make this work.

The mid-term aspiration by the State DOTs is to have the preliminary engineering and EIS worked through before the feds are approached for serious money. If they get that lag-work done then they have the appearance of being shovel-ready!
 
#100 ·
^^

Six Routes To Charlotte Pitched. Which Is Best?



As with any substantial passenger rail project in Atlanta (the Streetcar notwithstanding), we must speak here in hypothetical terms. But this news is a positive sign. A study, funded by the Federal Railroad Administration and GDOT, is under way to decide which is the best route for connecting Atlanta and Charlotte via high-speed rail, 11Alive reports. Twenty flights per day shuttle between the competing cities, which officials see as proof that people need to go back and forth. The initial question is an important one: Where exactly should the hypothetical fast train run?

The even-better news for Charlotte haters: The proposed line would connect to the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, which is under construction to connect Washington D.C. to Charlotte
Note of caution: this concept is as yet unfunded so even the best agreed idea may not come to fruition.
 
#101 ·
That looks like a hard choice for y'all to make.

The blue route looks the best to me but it sucks to leave Columbia off of the route. By contrast, routes in VA are easy. There aren't so many small cities scattered everywhere (except for in the Valley, but they are so far removed from the Tidewater to DC route that their feelings aren't hurt that they are never mentioned in the HSR conversation).

Looks like there will be a lot of hurt feelings in GA and SC regardless of the route.
 
#103 ·
The blue route looks the best to me but it sucks to leave Columbia off of the route.
Columbia has to date been included in the long-term vision for the federally designated corridor stretching from Raleigh down to Savannah. The Connection to Atlanta is taking precedent due to Atlanta's role as a regional hub for the feds and to reach/alleviate the nation's busiest airport. Hasn't hurt that NC was already exploring connections between Charlotte and Raleigh on their own.
Looks like there will be a lot of hurt feelings in GA and SC regardless of the route.
It's inevitable, but the good news I feel will be that when this becomes a working model it will demonstrate how true commuter rail service can become viable in the southeast once more. Then we can dream of a more expansive netowrk.
I like the Athens corridor, connect the universities.
Atlanta is already too thick with Dawg fans as it is, the last thing we need to do is make it easier for them to visit from Athens! :tongue3:

:cheers:
 
#102 ·
well....three of them go about 20 meters off the backside of my house. I live in Chamblee near the Marta station and there is no way another pair of tracks are going to fit into this corridor without going above or below grade. I would love to see this happen but it will be a challenge to bring to reality. I like the Athens corridor, connect the universities.
 
#105 ·
Maglev Train Proposed For Link From MARTA Station To Turner Field



Huzzah! Plans are in the works to build a roughly $30 million maglev train from MARTA's Georgia State station to traffic-clogged Turner Field in the next couple of years, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. The Braves are partnering with a private, Marietta-based company that builds the futuristic people-movers to solve the team's faulty shuttle system. The transit project is considered essential; Braves officials call traffic congestion the primary hindrance to fan attendance. But first things first: The Braves must strike a new leasing agreement with the city before the current lease expires on Dec. 31, 2016. Talks are said to be moving along now.

The goal would be to open the one-mile maglev train system in time for the Bravos' 2015 season. Trips between the ballpark and MARTA would take less than two minutes, and each vehicle can transport 200 fans. Funding, as the newspaper reports, is expected to come from a third-party company based in Madrid.
 
#106 ·
If the Braves want to pay for it, great! If not then we need to find something that's a more graceful shift for passengers, and preferably as part of a broader effort to expand transit to more than just Turner Field.
 
#108 ·
#109 ·
These are a little old, but I did not see them posted. A few sketches of Raleigh's proposed Union Station.

...

I guess my hope is that having Union Station will help spur light rail in Raleigh and commuter rail in the Triangle. Though the GOP will do everything in their power to stop it...
Having dealt with comparable debates here in GA I'm compelled to point out a suspiscion the issue is not something to which the GOP as a whole is inheritly opposed. Nationally the attacks are directed by the freight and auto industries that have more clout and $ in DC, so naturally Amtrak is the defacto whipping boy under the basic political principle that it's easier to make yourself look sexy by making the opponent look ugly. But in practical discussions with local leaders many understand and want transit options and have been very open when presented with realistic budgets. Thus the hard sell comes from the fact that rail is a major expense with mostly long-term returns, something any politician is slow to embrace. So in Georgia, at least, the GOP has deferred on the issue to whatever the DOT is suggesting is best. Hopefully the same can apply in NC.
 
#110 ·
That's an excellent point. From what I understand, the auto industry basically killed transit in many mid-size cities (replacing streetcar lines with buses). No doubt they'd like to keep it that way.

I am a little unrealistic with my expectations anyway. Raleigh is probably 30+ years away from light rail. The land use patterns in Raleigh, for the most part, cannot support light rail. A street car system within the next 10 years might be more realistic. It would be cool to see some of the old routes revived (Hillsborough St, New Bern Ave, Glenwood Ave, etc). They tore up the old tracks on Hillsborough St when they gave it its makeover, but they apparently considered the fact that it could be reconfigured for streetcar use in their new design.
 
#115 ·
Raleigh is probably 30+ years away from light rail. The land use patterns in Raleigh, for the most part, cannot support light rail. A street car system within the next 10 years might be more realistic. It would be cool to see some of the old routes revived (Hillsborough St, New Bern Ave, Glenwood Ave, etc). They tore up the old tracks on Hillsborough St when they gave it its makeover, but they apparently considered the fact that it could be reconfigured for streetcar use in their new design.
Recognition of the long-term demands and potential is key. By preserving some right of way now and fostering transit-oriented development they'll save money and it will prove vital in the evolution of urban spaces. Start with dedicated bus/streetcar lanes and then as demand increases rail can become an option in the same space.

It's amazing is how the human psyche views transit in contrast to most elected officials. Even with similar routes and schedules studies show people prefer riding rail instead of bus. Rail typically offers wider cabins, smoother rides and certainty of flow. Also helps to have such defined stations versus a seemingly anonymous array of bus stops. If more cities simply incorporated dedicated bus lanes and stations I imagine they'd see comparable support as with rail and could use that as a cheaper option that stil enables long-term rail potential.

just wanted to throw this out there... Discuss amongst yourselves.
Interesting design for a station. Open and airy is certainly the trend, and the central clock as an homage to a bygone era is a nice touch. Certainly a fair design for the city to consider.
 
#112 ·
Ok, the Charlotte station looks beautiful!! How likely is this to be built? Unlike the Raleigh plan, the trains actually enter the station too!

Is there another view of the Raleigh station? From that view the platform looks like an after thought. Does one really need to walk through the grass to get to the platform?
 
#113 · (Edited)
No walking on the grass, heh, they'll be a tunnel under the tracks to get to the other side.

I should add that the reason it seems so mundane is that they are repurposing the old Dillon Supply Co. building in the Warehouse District to serve as the station. I'm not sure this project would be possible, from a financial standpoint, if they didn't do this. This is also why the trains/tracks don't extend into the main concourse.



I'll also add a picture of the existing Raleigh Amtrak station. Yeah, it's a pretty big upgrade.



Ok, last edit. The rendering of Charlotte's station looks nice. Most riders in NC will benefit from both Raleigh and Charlotte's new stations, which is great. Raleigh-Charlotte is, not surprisingly, the most served route in the state.
 
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