Final Report | Great Northern Corridor SWOT Analysis TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 1. Report No. 6 (Final Report) 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. 5. Report Date December 31, 2014 4. Title and Subtitle 6. Performing Organization Code Great Northern Corridor Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis Final Report 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. 6 (Final Report) Olsson Associates Parsons Brinckerhoff The Beckett Group 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. Olsson Associates 11. Contract or Grant No. 2111 S. 67th Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68106 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Research Programs Type: Project Final Report Montana Department of Transportation Period Covered: January-November 2014 2701 Prospect Avenue P.O. Box 201001 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 5401 Helena MT 59620-1001 15. Supplementary Notes Research performed in cooperation with the Montana Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. 16. Abstract The GNC Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis Final Report is the culmination of a ten-month study of the Great Northern Corridor as requested by the GNC Coalition. The Final Report combines the key messages of the previous five Technical Memoranda, which addressed the Corridor’s Infrastructure and Operations, Freight & Commodity Flows, SWOT Analysis & Scenario Planning Workshop, Economic & Environmental Impacts Analysis, and Project Prioritization. This Final Report intends to tell the compelling story of the Corridor today and how it can strategically position itself for continued and improved performance, access, safety, and reliability in the future. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Unrestricted. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 21161. 19. Security Classif. (of this 20. Security Classif. (of 21. No. of Pages 22. Price report) this page) Unclassified Unclassified PAGE ii Final Report | Great Northern Corridor SWOT Analysis Disclaimer Statement This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) in the interest of information exchange. The State of Montana and the United States assume no liability for the use or misuse of its contents. The contents of this document reflect the views of the authors, who are solely responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or official policies of MDT or the USDOT. The State of Montana and the United States do not endorse products of manufacturers. 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PAGE iii Final Report | Great Northern Corridor SWOT Analysis Table of Contents List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Background & Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Brief History of the Corridor ................................................................................................................................. 1 Genesis of the GNC Coalition ............................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2: A TRANSCONOMY Profile of the GNC ………………………………………………………………4 A Description of the GNC: Demographics and Geography................................................................................... 4 A Description of the GNC: Modal Assets and Infrastructure ................................................................................ 7 A Description of the GNC: Industries and Economy........................................................................................... 30 Some Key Corridor Industries ............................................................................................................................. 33 GNC Commodity Flows ...................................................................................................................................... 36 Chapter 3: GNC SWOT Analysis………………………………………………………………………………….54 Trends and Issues Affecting the Corridor ............................................................................................................ 54 GNC Scenario Planning Workshop ..................................................................................................................... 60 SWOT Analysis Summary ................................................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 4: Impact of GNC Freight Transportation .................................................................................................. 66 Economic Impact of GNC Freight Transportation............................................................................................... 66 Environmental Considerations on the GNC Corridor .......................................................................................... 67 Benefits of GNC Rail Transportation .................................................................................................................. 67 Economic Competiveness Impact of GNC Freight Rail Service ......................................................................... 81 Logistics Land Use .............................................................................................................................................. 83 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................................... 86 Chapter 5: Preparing the GNC for the Future .......................................................................................................... 87 Identifying Essential Improvements and Initiatives ............................................................................................. 88 Pilot Project Evaluation ....................................................................................................................................... 94 Completion of the Project List Matrix ............................................................................................................... 100 Potential GNC Initiatives ................................................................................................................................... 100 References .............................................................................................................................................................. 105 Consolidated Exhibit References ........................................................................................................................... 109 PAGE iv Final Report | Great Northern Corridor SWOT Analysis Table of Exhibits Exhibit 1: Great Northern Corridor Overview ........................................................................................................... 2 Exhibit 2: GNC State Demographics ......................................................................................................................... 4 Exhibit 3: Top GNC Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) Ranked by GDP (USDC, Regional Data) .................. 5 Exhibit 4: GNC Tribal Lands ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Exhibit 5: Great Northern Corridor Rail Network and Rail Connections .................................................................. 8 Exhibit 6: Great Northern Corridor Rail Connectivity .............................................................................................. 9 Exhibit 7: GNC Rail Density (2010 Density Code, FRA) ....................................................................................... 10 Exhibit 8: BNSF Intermodal Routes and Locations (BNSF Intermodal Facility Map) ........................................... 12 Exhibit 9: GNC Automotive Ramps and Assembly Plants (BNSF Automotive Facility Map)............................... 13 Exhibit 10: Top 10 Border Crossings, by Truck and Train...................................................................................... 14 Exhibit 11: Overview of GNC Rail and Truck Border Crossing Locations ............................................................ 14 Exhibit 12: GNC Vertical Clearance Limits ............................................................................................................ 15 Exhibit 13: GNC Rail Signal Systems ..................................................................................................................... 16 Exhibit 14: GNC Public At-Grade Crossings, by State ........................................................................................... 17 Exhibit 15: Empire Builder Overview,