District One Rail Traffic Evaluation Study Florida Department of Transportation RANSPORTATION T District One F RAIL TRAFFIC EVALUATION STUDY Rail Relocation Options Technical Memorandum EPARTMENT O D November 2009 FLORIDA This Page Intentionally Left Blank Florida Department of Transportation District One Rail Traffic Evaluation Study Rail Relocation Options Technical Memorandum November 2009 This Page Intentionally Left Blank FDOT District One Rail Traffic Evaluation Study Rail Relocation Options Technical Memorandum Table of Contents 1. Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Document Purpose ......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Study Overview ............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Study Context................................................................................................................. 2 1.4 Study Context................................................................................................................. 2 2. Existing & Future Conditions................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Existing Conditions........................................................................................................ 3 2.1.1 State Freight Rail Corridor Overview........................................................................ 3 2.1.2 CSX “A” Line............................................................................................................ 3 2.1.3 CSX “S” Line ............................................................................................................ 6 2.1.4 CSX Rail Lines.......................................................................................................... 6 2.1.5 Florida Midland Railroad .......................................................................................... 7 2.2 Grade Crossings ............................................................................................................. 7 2.2.1 At-Grade Crossings ................................................................................................... 7 2.2.2 Grade-Separated ........................................................................................................ 8 2.3 Future Conditions........................................................................................................... 8 2.3.1 Diversion of Freight Rail Traffic to CSX “S” Line ................................................... 8 2.3.2 Winter Haven Integrated Logistics Center .............................................................. 10 3. Policy Initiatives ................................................................................................................... 10 3.1 2006 Florida Freight and Passenger Rail Plan, February 2007.................................... 10 3.2 2009 Florida Rail System Plan..................................................................................... 11 3.3 Tampa Port Authority 2007 Master Plan, February 2007............................................ 11 3.4 Tampa Port Authority 2007 Strategic Plan, February 2008......................................... 12 3.5 Manatee County Port Authority, Port Manatee Master Planning Concepts, February 2008 14 4. Freight Rail Corridor Types.................................................................................................. 15 4.1 Active Rail Rights-of-Way. ......................................................................................... 15 4.1.1 CSX Rail Lines........................................................................................................ 15 4.1.2 Florida Midland Railroad Lines............................................................................... 17 4.2 Inactive & Abandoned Rail Rights-of-Way................................................................. 17 4.2.1 Coleman Subdivision............................................................................................... 17 4.2.2 Existing Trails.......................................................................................................... 17 4.2.3 Proposed Trails........................................................................................................ 20 4.3 Utility Rights-of-Way .................................................................................................. 20 4.4 Existing & Planned Roadway Rights-of-Way ............................................................. 22 4.5 New Corridors.............................................................................................................. 22 5. Freight Rail Options ............................................................................................................. 24 5.1 Potential Freight Rail Relocation Alternatives ............................................................ 24 5.1.1 “S” Line Freight Rail Routing to Winter Haven ILC Site....................................... 26 5.1.2 Alternative 1: Van Fleet/TECO Alternative ............................................................ 31 5.1.3 Alternative 2: Van Fleet/Chain of Lakes Alternative .............................................. 36 5.1.4 Alternative 3: Plant City/Bartow Alternative .......................................................... 41 5.1.5 Alternative 4: Winston/Bartow Alternative............................................................. 47 5.1.6 Alternative 5: Winston/Homeland Alternative........................................................ 54 5.1.7 Alternative 6: Vitis/Polk City .................................................................................. 60 5.1.8 Alternative 7: McIntosh Spur .................................................................................. 65 5.1.9 Alternative 8: Winston/Bartow Airport ................................................................... 71 6. Environmental Considerations.............................................................................................. 76 Page i November 2009 FDOT District One Rail Traffic Evaluation Study Rail Relocation Options Technical Memorandum 6.1 Overview...................................................................................................................... 76 6.2 Data Collection Methodology...................................................................................... 76 6.3 Environmental Considerations Overview Maps .......................................................... 79 6.4 Environmental Challenges ........................................................................................... 88 6.4.1 Green Swamp .......................................................................................................... 88 6.4.2 Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas...................................................................... 89 6.4.3 Wetlands and Floodplains........................................................................................ 90 6.4.4 Parkland and Recreational Resources...................................................................... 90 6.4.5 Taking of Active Trails............................................................................................ 92 6.4.6 Taking of Planned Trails ......................................................................................... 92 6.4.7 Section 4(f) .............................................................................................................. 93 6.4.8 Peace River Crossing............................................................................................... 94 6.4.9 Mine Boundaries in Right-of-Way .......................................................................... 94 6.4.10 Property Acquisition................................................................................................ 95 7. Stakeholder Considerations .................................................................................................. 96 7.1 Community Concerns .................................................................................................. 96 7.2 CSX.............................................................................................................................. 98 7.3 Florida Midland Railroad............................................................................................. 99 7.4 FDEP Office of Greenways and Trails ........................................................................ 99 7.5 Trail Preservation Groups ............................................................................................ 99 7.5.1 Friends of the Parks Foundation, Inc....................................................................... 99 7.6 Local Community Groups.......................................................................................... 100 7.6.1 Downtown Lakeland Partnership, Inc. .................................................................. 100 8. Capital Costs....................................................................................................................... 101 8.1 Purpose....................................................................................................................... 101 8.2 Unit Costs..................................................................................................................