Alaska Railroad Ongoing Projects: Fairbanks Intermodal Facility Alaska Railroad Corporation 1st Quarter, 2003 Nenana Rail Relocation study www.alaskarailroad.com • (907) 265-2300 2003 ALASKA RAILROAD FREIGHT UPDATE Denali Depot Improvements Rail and rail-barge business capitalizes on new opportunities Palmer Park-and-Ride Center he Alaska Railroad freight business assistance to the trucking company. has capitalized on several new Another SBS rail haul is scheduled in spring. Anchorage-to-Wasilla opportunities to expand service. Rail-Barge to the Rescue Track Realignment Rail to the Rescue When TOTE (Totem Ocean Trailer Express) In the first week of March, needed to provide one of its three Spenard Builders Supply steamships to the U.S. military for service in Anchorage Rail Capacity Study commissioned ARRC to rail its the Persian Gulf area, ARRC’s rail-barge barged-in materials from Seward partnership stepped in to help pick up the T to Anchorage for the first time. slack. During the first few months of the South Anchorage Double Track During the winter, the inlet ice and tide year, TOTE usually moves a large number of make it difficult for a barge to tie up in vehicles to the Alaska market. With one Anchorage, so SBS traditionally docks its steamship gone, TOTE fell short of capacity. Anchorage Yard Ops Center chartered barge in Seward, and trucks the cargo to Anchorage. ARRC partner Lynden is moving some of the overflow via rail-barge through Whittier. Ship Creek Intermodal Center The trucking company wasn’t able to While Lynden will provide the logistics, handle the entire load, so the railroad equipment and barge container space, hauled what it is best equipped to haul… ARRC will rail the containers into Improved Sidings & Signals big, heavy materials. The transaction proved Anchorage for offload and delivery to the a good deal for all parties — revenue for Alaska West Express yard. the railroad, savings for SBS and compatible (see “Freight Update” on page 3) Whittier Equipment Maintenance Seward Intermodal Terminal For updates or comments on these projects, visit the Alaska Coated pipe is prepared for offload onto trucks headed to the Kenai Peninsula for Enstar’s Railroad web site at Kenai-Kachemak gas pipeline project. The California and Texas pipe was barged to Whittier and railed to Anchorage via ARRC’s rail-barge business, which is becoming increasingly successful in www.AlaskaRailroad.com such sectors as oil and gas. For example, BP Alaska recently signed a three-year extension to the contract to transport pipe and chemicals for the North Slope. SHIP CREEK: COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, INVESTMENTS Railroad supports local Anchorage business, government plans and efforts he downtown Anchorage In a quest to create an appealing LEGISLATURE CONSIDERS business community’s pedestrian environment, the enthusiasm is growing for railroad continues to build on RAIL EXPANSION BILLS plans and projects that recent pedestrian projects that will enhance and connect promote the area’s exceptional This year’s railroad-related hot downtown and Ship fishing, walking trails, and historic topic has legislators debating Creek areas. As a business attributes. The most recent efforts whether the mainline ought to member, the Alaska include an interpretive kiosk at the extend to Fort Greely and beyond. Railroad is coordinating landscaped pedestrian plaza and Twith the Municipality of Anchorage, interpretive signs on the pathway House Concurrent Resolution 2 Downtown Partnership, Anchorage stretching alongside the creek. (HCR2), sponsored by Rep. Bob Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Lynn, encourages the Alaska Convention & Visitors Bureau and An objective of the ARRC Real Railroad to extend its main line to others to incorporate compatible Estate department is to cultivate the Fort Greely to support resource design into its own capital projects Ship Creek area as both a resource development, agriculture and mili- and real estate strategies. Common for public enjoyment and a catalyst tary activities. If approved, this goals include connectivity, for private investment. One measure puts the State of Alaska’s support for the project on the pedestrian appeal, and private example is a new lease allowing the record and initiates a more in- investment. Ulu Factory to relocate and build depth look at the opportunities for on a railroad-owned waterfront lot building such a project. Railroad plans for a Ship Creek between the Denali Park Resorts Intermodal Transportation Center office and the Comfort Inn hotel. Senate Bill 31 (SB31), sponsored will not only establish a strong link This summer, the Ulu Factory can by Senator John Cowdery, author- to downtown, but also provide a consolidate operations and provide izes the Alaska Railroad to delin- hub for convenient connections4 a unique experience for its nearly eate and survey a transportation between various modes of 200 daily summertime visitors. and utility corridor from its termi- transportation. Environmental5 nus at Eielson Air Force Base to documents will be forwarded to the Improvements to the historical the Alaska-Canada border, an Federal Transit Administration (FTA) covered bridge are on the drawing extension of approximately 270 this spring for consideration. Over board as well. The quaint facility miles. While a route has been $16 million in the 2003 already has electricity, and the identified by previous studies con- appropriation for final design and addition of water and sewer utilities ducted by both the military and the start of construction. FTA will will improve its usability. the State Department of fund 80%; ARRC 20%. Transportation, an official survey has not been conducted. Passage of this legislation would enable the state to establish and preserve an important right-of-way for future railroad and utility projects. At press time, Senate Bill 31 was still in the Senate. 3 The Alaska Railroad supports both of these measures and is working with legislators as the process unfolds. Above: An interpretive kiosk adds to the new pedestrian plaza. Right: The Ulu Factory builds a new facility across from the plaza. 2003 PROJECT OPEN HOUSE EVENTS SEWARD Commuter rail topped list of public comments he railroad wrapped up formation of the Commuter Rail CENTENNIAL four open house events in Advocacy Committee, which January, which presented includes community leaders and proposed capital projects to interested individuals. The railroad Happy 100th Birthday! residents in Anchorage, provides technical support. Brown Fairbanks, Seward and the bag lunch meetings are held The Alaska Railroad extends a very Mat-Su Valley. A record 25 monthly. For more information, happy 100th birthday to the City of project-related comments contact Maryellen Oman, 276- Seward. A dozen years after this were submitted, ranging 4068, or visit www.sierraclub.org/ port community was established in Tfrom opinions on the Fairbanks sprawl/transportation. 1903, the Alaska Railroad construct- Depot to concerns over Anchorage ed the first mile of its main line Capacity Improvement options. track in Seward. This is one of several milestones to be celebrated Interestingly, the highest number of via Seward Centennial events held comments (10) expressed support each month throughout 2003. for a commuter rail service between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. Honoring the prominent legacy While a commuter rail study and shared with Seward, the Alaska operating plan was developed last Railroad is supporting a number of year, it was not presented as part of centennial activities, including the the 2003 Program of Projects. Railroad Days weekend celebration A Mat-Su resident talks with ARRC September 20-21, 2003. This fes- Public support for such service has VP of Projects, Engineering, tive occasion will allow participants formalized somewhat with Technology & Signals Eileen Reilly. to revel in the fall colors on a special train traveling to Seward on Saturday, returning to Anchorage on FREIGHT UPDATE... Possible Rescue for Coal Sunday. Once in Seward, partici- The railroad may see a resurrection pants will enjoy a fun afternoon Barge Dock purchase of the export coal business that featuring a chance to compete in a The railroad just made a ended abruptly last year following handcar race or a spike-driving con- commitment to purchase 50% cancellation of Usibelli’s contract to test. There are also many youth interest in the Harbor Island supply coal to Korea. U.S. Senator activities planned for the weekend. Terminal in Seattle. The move Ted Stevens has advanced the cause comes on the heels of Crowley’s through federal funding to buy Discounted rail tickets and lodging decision to sell its 50% interest. down the capital cost of the Seward packages for this event will be avail- ARRC and Seaspan, the other half- Terminal, effectively making the able early this summer. owner, are developing an coal more competitive on the world agreement for joint operations of market. the floating barge slip. The centennial celebration has many other remarkable events to The railroad is negotiating with Once the deal closes mid-April, the engage in. For example, the Hyundai, Usibelli and Korea East- railroad expects to gain strategic Founder’s Day Weekend, August West Power Corporation. The control of the infrastructure 28-30, features a street dance, possibility of a renewed contract necessary to the rail-barge business, parade and more. Information on looks better than it has for the past which accounts for about one-third Seward Centennial events can be year, but is certainly far from a of ARRC’s freight revenues. The found at www.seward100th.com or done deal. Negotiations are railroad also anticipates savings by call (907) 224-5623. expected to wrap up in spring. capitalizing the facility instead of paying annual rental fees. ARRC WINS MULTIPLE ONBOARD SERVICE AWARDS “Overall Best Railroad” tops list of seven prestigious honors arlier this year, Onboard Services Onboard Services’ prestigious international awards magazine announced its annual involve competition against Amtrak, the ARRC’s industry awards and the Alaska Railroad partners, and a number of tourist operations around the Corporation (ARRC) won in seven world.