|
Rail Capacity Enhancements |
Improvement Classification Level |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Public
Benefit* |
Ratio:
Benefit/Cost |
|
Second Main: Arcola to Pierce |
4 |
$84,000,000 |
NA |
NA |
|
NE & NW Wye at Arcola |
4 |
$4,000,000 |
NA |
NA |
|
Total Identified Improvements |
$88,000,000 |
|
|
*No public benefits of individual rail improvements were identified.
Addition of Second Mainline from Arcola to Pierce Junction
The Popp Subdivision would play a vital role in facilitating train movement
in the event that the UPRR and BNSF would begin running directional traffic
inbound on the Glidden Subdivision from Tower 17 (Rosenberg) to West Junction,
and outbound on the BNSF Galveston Subdivision from Arcola to Tower 17.
The Popp Subdivision would require an upgrade to a double mainline facility
complete with Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) signals. Ultimately, this could
aid in relieving congestion on both the UPRR Glidden and BNSF Galveston
Subdivisions, reducing train delays within the Houston Terminal.
Cost
The additional mainline along the Popp Subdivision is estimated to cost
$84,000,000. The level 4 long-range improvement 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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Construction of Connection Tracks to BNSF Galveston Subdivision at Arcola
The BNSF Galveston Subdivision crosses the UPRR Popp Subdivision at-grade
with a crossing diamond, which does not allow travel between the two
subdivisions. Connections from the Popp Subdivision onto the BNSF Galveston
Subdivision in the Northeast and Northwest quadrants of the interchange in
Arcola would facilitate movement between the subdivisions.
Analysis
Relocating existing
BNSF operations to outlying areas may negate the need for an additional mainline
between Arcola and Pierce Junction, however the construction of connecting
tracks previously discussed may be required to facilitate the directional
running of trains.
Cost The estimated cost of connection tracks between the Popp Subdivision and the
BNSF Galveston Subdivision is $4,000,000. The level 4 long-range improvement
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. Back to top
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