Alton, IL Transportation Center served by Texas Eagle and

Siemens Charger locomotive and Venture railcar, Chicago, IL, August 2020 used in Midwest on State- Supported Routes

States for Passenger Rail Coalition, Inc. ANNUAL REPORT 2020

New Moynihan Train Station for all Amtrak trains in New York City including all NEC trains SPRC Membership and Mission

The States for Passenger Rail Coalition, Inc. (SPRC) is an alliance of State and Regional Transportation Officials and Passenger Rail Authorities from across the United States. The Coalition Member agencies include:

California New York Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) North Carolina Connecticut Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) Indiana Oregon Iowa Pennsylvania Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) Southwest Chief & Front Range Louisiana Passenger Rail Commission (Colorado) Maine Vermont Massachusetts Virginia Washington Minnesota

The Coalition Members extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to all those so adversely affected by the global pandemic, especially those who have lost loved ones. Also, we express our sincerest gratitude to nothing less than the heroic efforts of essential workers and those on the front lines of battling the pandemic.

SPRC’s Mission is to promote the development, implementation, and expansion of Intercity Passenger Rail as part of an integrated national transportation network. It accomplishes this by working together with a non-partisan approach to::

• Promote research, planning, development, implementation, operation, sustainability, and expansion of publicly supported intercity passenger rail service throughout the United States,

• Facilitate coordination and cooperation among state officials and between the public and private sector at all levels (federal, state and local),

• Advocate and assist in the pursuit of state and federal funding to support on-going development of America’s passenger rail system, and

• Support current efforts and projects managed by state transportation departments.

The Coalition offers a centralized forum to interact with decision-makers, stakeholders, and advocacy groups to share information and provide direction in support of intercity passenger rail. Also, the Coalition serves as the sole “states-only” passenger rail organization whose involvement includes Amtrak’s state-supported routes, the Northeast Corridor, and the national long-distance network.

s4prc.org

Cover Photo, Bottom, by Jim Henderson CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98382239 SPRC and Passenger Rail in the United States

th Anniversary 2020

freight railroads while moving passengers on a network of While the year 2020 marks the 20th regional intercity, and, long-distance intercity trains, as anniversary of the States for Passenger Rail well as on commuter rail lines. Finally, it is a given that investments in rail infrastructure lead to substantial job Coalition, it is a year all of us wish had played growth. out differently. Nonetheless, we have faith States and intercity passenger rail operating agencies in our country and its institutions. We are are the primary entities responsible for the initiation, confident that our nation will recover from implementation, oversight and/or operation of intercity this dual health and economic crisis. passenger rail service. It always has. The SPRC Member States and Rail Authorities are a vital part of Amtrak’s three main business lines: 1) the Long Distance trains that provide intercity passenger rail transportation An efficient and safe transportation network plays on 15 routes of more than 750 miles between endpoints; 2) an essential role in responding to both crises. On the the State Supported trains that offer intercity passenger rail health side, a robust transportation system ensures that service along shorter-distance corridor routes of not more communities can access vitally needed goods and services, than 750 miles between endpoints; and, 3) the Northeast as well as providing safe mobility for essential workers. Corridor (NEC) service operating between Boston, New York Amid a continuing economic crisis, unhindered access to City, and Washington, DC. transportation enables the continued flow of workers, goods, Our members sponsor a combined 29 intercity passenger rail and services. Transportation is a crucial component in routes serving 296 communities across America. In the year responding to recessionary pressures, with all government leading up to 2020 State Supported trains carried over 15 levels being critical partners in ensuring the vitality of our million passengers, representing over 47% of Amtrak’s total infrastructure and mobility. ridership, the largest source of ridership among the three Intercity passenger rail has proven to be a fundamental Amtrak business lines. They also contributed nearly $750 component of our nation’s transportation network. During million to Amtrak through a combination of $521 million in the pandemic, intercity passenger rail has provided one of passenger revenue plus $225 million in contract payments. the safest means of transportation for essential workers We are poised to return to these pre-pandemic levels as the and people that must travel. It represents a viable, energy- economy improves and the traveling public returns to take efficient, and economically attractive transportation option. advantage of the beneficial economic, health and safety The road to economic recovery must include a rebounding aspects of traveling by passenger rail. rail system. The rail system moves goods by commercial 1 States/Regional Rail Authorities Stand Ready to make Intercity Passenger Rail Projects a Reality

The Coalition’s member agencies are well-positioned to advance the development, implementation, and expansion of Intercity Passenger Rail as part of an integrated national transportation network. To that end, significant planning is taking place in the states and passenger rail authorities.

All SPRC Members were surveyed to provide details on prospective intercity passenger rail projects that are either ready for construction, or either at, or near the final design stage. The Members also provided information on those projects in the initial (scoping phase) stages of the project development.

Coalition Members have identified 135 projects with a total project cost of over $34 billion that meet these criteria, with a near-even split between the number of projects ready for funding for design and construction and those in the scoping phase. Projects ready for funding for design and construction implementation represent nearly $10 billion in value, with another $24 billion in projects that could go forward in advanced planning.

Additionally, in a joint effort with the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), SPRC expanded this “projects in the pipeline” survey outreach to all States, including those not currently SPRC Members. Enhanced Safety Protocols for the traveling public and frontline staff on When SPRC’s list is added together with the non-SPRC States NNEPRA’s Amtrak Downeaster Service the total funding needs are approximately $58 billion.

Our Coalition Members and our colleagues from other States and Regional Passenger Rail Authorities stand ready to take on the challenges of advancing our nation’s economic recovery. Overcoming these challenges will require significant investment in our transportation network. It is important to reflect upon what such an investment in rail would mean for the nation.

Completing the SPRC projects would result in at least and reliability improvements. These improvements would be 75 additional daily round trips, and more than 30 new significant, not only for passenger rail, but also for freight cities being served by passenger rail. There would also be rail traffic. significant improvements to over 70 stations, more than An updated project list with additional details on each can 150 new or refurbished locomotives and passenger rail cars, be found at http://bit.ly/SPRC-Projects. and nearly 400 grade crossings that would be upgraded or closed to vehicular traffic with significant safety, capacity,

2 SPRC FAST Act Reauthorization Principles

With the passage of the one-year extension (through September 30, 2021) of the authorizing legislation for federal surface transportation programs, including intercity passenger rail, Congress will look to enact long-term legislation that will build upon the success of the FAST Act. SPRC members have worked together to develop principles that should be considered during the development of the next federal surface transportation authorization bill. The SPRC Principles are as follows: • Amtrak Board members charge must include with the requirement that such funding results in some consideration of all service lines, including the interests guaranteed level of public access (e.g., railroad slots) of State-Supported and Long-Distance Routes. [In 2020, or shared public ownership. Eligibility should also be SPRC continued to advocate for State representation expanded to include capital overhauls of passenger rail on the Amtrak Board since State-supported, Intercity equipment. Passenger Rail services account for nearly 50% of • Establish and fund a Long-Distance Rail Route Task Amtrak’s total annual ridership.] Force as identified under PRIIA Section 210. • Establish a dedicated capital funding program for • Reauthorization of the following rail-related entities intercity passenger rail that includes a formula funding and the authorization of funds necessary to ensure the program with match requirements to mirror the Federal continuity of their operations: Highway Program in addition to the discretionary grant — the State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee programs. — the Northeast Corridor Commission • Establish clear, timely mandates for the United States — the Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Department of Transportation (USDOT) in the award Committee and deployment of grant programs. — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. • Capital projects should be financed with no less than • And, finally: 80% federal source available for awards, and matched Create a legislative resolution to the issue of “States as through a combination of state, local, regional, and Railroads” and System Safety Program responsibility. private funding. Projects with over 50% match should [Of particular note: In early 2020 the FRA issued a final rule not automatically receive priority selection preference. on the System Safety Program which notes “…State sponsors • Federal credit programs should not be counted as part of are not specifically responsible for filing the [SSP] plan….” the Federal financial share of projects. While the SSP rule temporarily addresses some of the States’ • Reauthorize funds for both the Amtrak National concerns, SPRC recommends that legislative action be Network and the Amtrak Northeast Corridor to considered to fully resolve any future executive branch actions continue efficient and effective passenger rail mobility, that could result in the designation of a State from being recognizing that it is a national modal network, in the classified as a railroad. Such a designation could ultimately same manner as the Interstate and National Highway lead to the discontinuance of state-supported intercity System programs. passenger rail. Therefore, SPRC has endorsed proposed • Reauthorize the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and legislative language that would revise part 270 of title 49, Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program, State of Code of Federal Regulations, to exclude a State, or a political Good Repair Grant Program (SOGR), and the Restoration subdivision of a State, that provides equipment, track, right- and Enhancement Grant Program at increased funding of-way, or financial support for intercity passenger service levels reflective of the immediate project needs ($10 pursuant to section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and billion) identified in the SPRC Member Survey of Ready- Improvement Act of 2008 (division B of Public Law 110– To-Fund Projects in the Pipeline (and $24 billion in 432; 49 U.S.C. 24101 note) if such State or political subdivision projects in the scoping phase). does not directly operate such service.] • Expand the eligibility of the State of Good Repair Further discussion of each of these principles can be found Program beyond “publicly owned assets” should be at http://bit.ly/ReauthorizationPrinciples expanded to allow for funding of non-public assets

3 COALITION MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Illinois – A Year of Progress

It is an exciting time for the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) passenger rail program. We are making substantial progress on a number of projects that, when completed, will expand the reach of passenger rail to most of our state, provide our passengers with an improved experience while riding our state supported trains and make safety and performance improvements to our current service. New Pontiac, IL Amtrak station built with Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail funding

The Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail (HSR) Program Rail Project. These projects are still in the preliminary has completed the vast majority of the wayside and engineering stage but once completed will extend infrastructure improvements needed to increase speeds up passenger rail service to the western and northwestern to 110 mph. We are currently working with our partners at regions of Illinois and improve train flow and fluidity to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Union Pacific one of our current corridors. Railroad (UPRR) and Amtrak to finalize the signaling improvements needed to initially increase speed to 90 mph and anticipate that milestone will be reached in 2021.

Included as part of the Chicago to St. Louis HSR Program was the purchase of new rolling stock to be used across the Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin). locomotives have been in use since 2017. Starting in early 2021, Siemens Venture railcars will begin to be introduced into revenue service, initially on Chicago to St. Louis Lincoln Service trains and eventually on other routes across the Midwest. Delivery of all 88 rail cars, including new business class and café cars, will be completed by 2023.

Finally, the 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital program provided funding to extend passenger rail service to Rockford, make improvements to the current Chicago to Carbondale Four quad and pedestrian gate, Tremont Street, Vermillion, IL built with corridor and additional funding to the Chicago to Quad Cities Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail funding 4 Colorado Advances Efforts to Implement Front Range Passenger Rail

Additionally, the Rail Commission was awarded two Consolidated Railroad Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The 2019 CRISI Grant, “Southwest Chief Thru-Car Alternatives Analysis,” focuses on analyzing ways to expand the current Southwest Chief service to Pueblo and Colorado Springs and will be underway in early 2021. The 2020 CRISI grant, “Front Range Passenger Rail Preliminary Service Development Planning and Rail Simulation Modeling Study,” is for rail traffic modeling and further defining a potential rail service plan and will also begin in 2021. In fact, Amtrak Union Station serving as Denver, Colorado’s main railway station and as the central transportation hub leadership has indicated that the 180- mile Colorado Front Range Corridor between Pueblo and Fort The Southwest Chief & Front Range Passenger Collins is a strong candidate for future intercity passenger Rail Commission, with support from the Colorado rail corridor development. Department of Transportation (CDOT), is continuing As Colorado moves forward with passenger rail along the to advance efforts to implement intercity passenger Front Range, the Rail Commission and CDOT are committed rail along the Front Range. The Front Range region to working together to provide additional travel options for encompasses the urban corridor along Interstate 25 Coloradans throughout the heavily populated and fast- on the eastern boundary of the Rocky Mountains. growing Front Range corridor. To consider how best to address the current and future mobility demands the Colorado State Legislature provided $2.5 million in funding in July 2018 for the Rail Commission to initiate a planning effort that included a stakeholder engagement process, conducting preliminary alternatives analysis, and investigating potential governance options for Front Range Passenger Rail. The first stage of these planning efforts will be completed this year.

The Rail Commission has engaged with the general public utilizing surveys, polls, and an online public meeting through 2020. All three of these have indicated a willingness from Front Range residents to support the funding for the future of passenger rail! Historic Pueblo Union Depot – candidate for future intercity passenger rail development along Colorado’s Front Range Corridor

5 Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority – Record Performance and Recovery

evaporated. As ridership declined through March, Downeaster frequencies were reduced. In mid-April, the NNEPRA Board voted to suspend the Downeaster completely in compliance with state-imposed travel restrictions.

While disappointing, the suspension of service also created opportunities. The NNEPRA Team quickly coordinated with Pan Am Railways to expedite trackwork scheduled for fall 2020 to Spring to take advantage of available track time and avoid service interruptions. Track maintenance projects got underway in late May and continued through early summer. In mid-June one weekday Downeaster round trip was restored Getting back on board the safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable Amtrak Downeaster to provide minimal service for Boston-bound travelers, and on July 20, when the trackwork was complete and some travel The Amtrak Downeaster is a state supported train restrictions were relaxed, four daily Downeaster round trips managed by the Northern New England Passenger began operating with Amtrak’s enhanced cleaning protocols Rail Authority (NNEPRA). The Downeaster typically and mask requirements in place. operates five round trips daily between Brunswick, ME There were other changes as well. Marketing and and Boston, MA along a 143-mile corridor serving 12 communication efforts changed from a “sales-oriented” stations in three states with a travel time of 3 hours and approach to inspirational messaging intended to assure 20 minutes. the public that their safety and well-being was the priority when they were comfortable travelling again. Downeaster Over the Downeaster’s first decade in operation, through on-board Café service resumed and an at-seat Café service December 2012, ridership increased by more than 90 percent. pilot program, which has been well received by Downeaster Through 2019, the Downeaster averaged more than half a passengers, was introduced. In October, Amtrak completed million passengers annually, including commuters, business the installation of convertible in-coach luggage/bike racks, travelers, college students traveling to and from school, which expanded bike access for Downeaster passengers and youths on educational trips, patients receiving medical attracted new riders. treatments, families attending sports and theatre events, shoppers, visitors to Maine and more. NNEPRA’s goal is to maintain four daily round trips into 2021 to restore confidence among the travelling public and to Downeaster expectations were set high for FY2020 (July 1, develop potential service recovery strategies, in coordination 2019 - June 30, 2020). NNEPRA projected that ridership of with station community leaders, as travel needs evolve. 570,000 and revenue of $10.9m would be achieved, breaking previous records. Plans were also in place to move ahead with Capital projects and planning efforts for the Downeaster important service enhancements and improvement projects. service continue. A siding extension and second platform project in Wells, funded through CRISI, is moving ahead. The fiscal year got off to a great start with performance These improvements will not only improve reliability; but will far ahead of projections, breaking ridership and revenue eventually increase daily frequency to six daily round trips to records in six of the first eight months. In February 2020, include an inbound morning train from southern Maine to fiscal year ridership was on pace to reach nearly 600,000 and points north. Plans to relocate Portland Station to a mainline ticket revenue was projected to exceed $11.7m. A CRISI grant location and to add a new station location in West Falmouth, was awarded to improve reliability and expand commuter Maine are still being explored. service into Maine, and a study was underway to relocate the Portland Station. The NNEPRA team remains optimistic that the Downeaster will be well positioned to respond to the needs of the Then it happened. The world started bracing for a once-in-a- travelling public into and throughout the recovery period, century pandemic. Businesses, schools and attractions closed, and that it will continue to be an important and essential stay at home orders were issued, travel limitations were economic engine for northern New England for many years to imposed and nearly every market served by the Downeaster 6 come. Washington State Cascades Corridor Reliability - Landslide Mitigation Program Recovery

The Washington State Department of Transportation Phase I of the Program, which was completed in 2016, (WSDOT) sponsors the Cascades service that invested more than $17 million in federal ARRA funds to operates between Vancouver, British Columbia; reduce the risk of landslides at six landslide prone sites Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Eugene, between Seattle and Everett, including: Oregon. Landslides along the coastal bluffs north of • catchment walls to stop debris from reaching tracks Seattle have long plagued the passenger and freight • slope stabilization and drainage improvements trains using the tracks that run below the hillsides. • slide warning fences Increased development, improper drainage systems Phase II of the Program is currently underway and invests and insufficient building regulations increase the more than $10.9 million that includes a federal CRISI grant, landslide risk. BNSF funding and state funding for landslide mitigation This busy section of the rail corridor hosts 14 daily measures at six additional sites. Four have been completed passenger trains and an average of 21 daily freight trains. and two are soon starting construction. A total of more than 740,000 passengers (including Amtrak In 2020, WSDOT was awarded a second CRISI grant to Cascades, Amtrak Empire Builder and Sounder commuter undertake Phase III of the project at three additional train passengers) travel through this area every year. Each locations. Federal funding of $3.719 million, matched by landslide that reaches the railroad tracks automatically state and BNSF funding, will speed the delivery of landslide triggers a 48-hour moratorium for passenger trains, forcing mitigation measures in an area that has a history of slides those passengers to use alternative transportation options. leading to short and long-term closures of the rail line.

In response, WSDOT undertook the Cascades Corridor Since completion of the landslide mitigation improvement Reliability - Landslide Mitigation Program. WSDOT worked projects, no landslides have reached the tracks in those with BNSF Railway, the track owner, to identify sites with a upgraded areas to disrupt train service. The success of this high incidence of service-disrupting slope failures and then program has led to significant improvement in the reliability identified the best mitigation measures for each location. and safety of the Cascades corridor.

Tracks near Mukilteo, Washington subject to landslide activity Retention Walls erected at same Mukilteo location as part of Cascades Corridor Reliability - Landslide Mitigation Program

7 SUMMARY

The States for Passenger Rail Coalition keeps Members informed of the latest policies, funding opportunities, and safety initiatives through: • Regular News Updates • Washington, DC Insider Reports • Monthly Current Events Forums • Peer-to-Peer Information Exchanges • Bi-Annual Meetings • Monthly Member Conference Call Meetings

The States for Passenger Rail Coalition supports the collective interests of Member States on issues related to Passenger Rail by maintaining strong working relationships with: • Congressional Members and Capitol Hill Staff • Amtrak • Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) • American Association of Railroads (AAR) • Surface Transportation Board (STB)

The States for Passenger Rail Coalition offers: • Congressional (House and Senate) briefing materials and testimony at hearings related to key rail issues affecting Member States. • Education materials and resources on industry initiatives. • Project planning and assistance for ongoing development of Passenger Rail Service. • Input regarding reauthorization of Federal transportation legislation, federal grant programs, Amtrak, and Rail Safety Initiatives. • Monitoring and reporting on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Surface Transportation Board (STB) activities and actions of concern to Member States and Rail Authorities. • Communication and coordination with industry organizations such as AASHTO, the Northeast Corridor Commission, the State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee (SAIPRC), the Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee (NGEC), OneRail Coalition, and the Rail Passengers Association. • Peer-to-Peer interaction and idea exchange among states and passenger rail authorities.

8 SPRC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2020-21

Chair Arun Rao Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Vice Chair Jeremy Latimer Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

Treasurer Robert Padgette Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority

Secretary Raymond Hessinger New York State Department of Transportation

Past Officer Patricia Quinn Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority

At-Large Member Amanda Martin Iowa Department of Transportation

For more information on the States for Passenger Rail Coalition, Inc., please visit us at www.s4prc.org th Anniversary 2020

States for Passenger Rail Coalition, Inc.

s4prc.org