|
Rail Capacity Enhancements |
Improvement Classification Level |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Public
Benefit* |
Ratio:
Benefit/Cost |
|
Second Main: Rosenberg to Arcola |
4 |
$174,000,000 |
NA |
NA |
|
Total Identified Improvements |
$174,000,000 |
NA |
|
*No public benefits of individual rail improvements were identified.
Additional Mainline from Rosenberg to Arcola
Currently, the BNSF has the authority to operate trains on the UPRR Glidden
Subdivision from Rosenberg to T&NO Junction (Tower 81), while the UPRR has the
authority to operate trains on the BNSF Galveston Subdivision from Rosenberg to
Algoa. Double tracking the BNSF Galveston Subdivision between Rosenberg to
Arcola would allow BNSF and UPRR trains to operate on either subdivision in a
less congested manner and increase freight rail capacity.
A connection between the BNSF Galveston Subdivision and the Popp Subdivision
would also be required to facilitate this train movement and is included in the
identified improvements for the Popp Subdivision.
Alternative Routes
In the event, that BNSF traffic would be relocated to alternative routes (see
“New” Subdivision) and their existing facilities at Pearland and New South Yard
are relocated within the Houston rail network, upgrading the BNSF Galveston
Subdivision as indicated may not warrant consideration.
Also, an alternative to upgrading both the BNSF Galveston Subdivision and the
UPRR Glidden Subdivision would be to establish directional running on the
Glidden and Galveston Subdivisions. Trains inbound to Houston would traverse the
UPRR Glidden Subdivision, while trains outbound from Houston would traverse the
BNSF Galveston Subdivision.
With this alternative, upgrading the BNSF Galveston
Subdivision as indicated also may not warrant consideration. However, the
analysis of these alternatives will undergo testing with the railroad operations
simulation model that has been developed.
Cost
The total estimated cost of constructing an additional mainline for the BNSF
Galveston Subdivision between Rosenberg and Arcola is $174,000,000. The addition of a second mainline along the BNSF Galveston
Subdivision is classified as a level 4 long-range improvement, and should
undergo further testing to determine the extent of the improvement’s impact on
the region’s rail network, and to quantify the associated public and private
benefits that may be attained.
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Identified Improvements
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