Status Report Midwest Regional Rail Passenger Initiative and Passenger Rail Service in Iowa, February 1, 2012

This report fulfills the requirements of the following Code of Iowa Sections: Section 327J.3(1): “The director may expend moneys from the fund to pay the costs associated with the initiation, operation, and maintenance of rail passenger service. The director shall report by February 1 of each year to the legislative services agency concerning the status of the fund including anticipated expenditures for the following fiscal year.” Section 327J.3(5): "The director shall report annually to the general assembly concerning the development and operation of the midwest regional rail system and the state's passenger rail service."

Business Plan Chicago to Iowa City Intercity Passenger Rail Route, March 21, 2012

Overview of the Passenger Service Connects Iowa City, Quad Cities and Chicago, 219.5 miles Twice‐daily service each way, 4 hours and 15 minutes travel time 246,800 passengers first year (676 per day) Project construction cost $310 million (80% federal, 14.5% Illinois, 5.4% Iowa) On‐time performance 90% or better (trains arrive within 10 minutes of schedule) Competitive passenger rail service operator selection Iowa’s annual share of operating cost support averages $3 million

Business Plan Chicago to Iowa City Intercity Passenger Rail Route, March 21, 2011

This business plan describes the methods by which the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will partner with Iowa counties and cities to fund Iowa’s share of the operating and maintenance cost for the Chicago- Iowa City passenger-rail service, an average of $3 million per year.

King Rail Rallus Elegans, 2011

Data sheet produced by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is about different times of animals, insects, snakes, birds, fish, butterflies, etc. that can be found in Iowa.

The Chicago-Iowa City Passenger Rail Program, February 23, 2011

Iowa’s share of the match will come from a combination of state appropriations and local funding. In FY 11, Iowa lawmakers approved intent language to provide up to $20 million over four years to help fund Iowa’s mmitment for matching federal passenger rail funding. To date, the legislature has appropriated $10 million to be used for the match. • Illinois announced in January 2010 that it would use $45 million from its state capital plan for construction of the route.

Chicago to Iowa City Passenger Rail Project Financial Plan, September 2009

The Chicago to Iowa City Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Program) is a joint undertaking of the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (Illinois DOT). The purpose of the Program is to reestablish passenger rail services from Chicago to Iowa City, independently and in concert with the MWRRI (Midwest Regional Rail Initiative). The Chicago to Iowa City Corridor is one part of the vision established by the MWRRI to expand existing and develop new regional passenger rail service to meet existing and future travel demands in the Midwest. This project will expand and create a rail transportation alternative to supplant private automobile, bus, and air travel between Chicago and Iowa City, and intermediate points, and to create new transportation opportunity and capability for people who cannot meet their transportation needs with private automobile, bus and air modes.

Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study, November 9, 2006

Five Seasons Transportation & Parking (FSTP) and the Johnson County Council of Governments (JCCOG) are interested in evaluating the feasibility of prospective passenger rail service(s) that would operate over existing trackage of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Company (CRANDIC), seen below left, and/or the Iowa Interstate Railroad System (IAIS), seen below right, connecting Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the Amana Colonies. To perform the study, FSTP and JCCOG selected R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc. (RLBA) as Prime Contractors, HNTB Corporation (HNTB) and Snyder & Associates, Inc. (Snyder) as Subcontractors, hereafter Consultant Team. Both railroads participated in the study and contributed time and resources, as did many local government and civic organizations. The purpose of the study is to determine whether it is feasible to establish regularly scheduled passenger rail service and/or special event excursion rail service, in conjunction with the Five Seasons Transit system, Iowa City Transit, East Central Iowa Transit, Coralville Transit and the University of Iowa CAMBUS.

Iowa Rail Route Alternatives Analysis, June 1998

The development of new rail systems in the first part of the 21st century is the result of a wide range of trends that are making it increasingly difficult to maintain regional mobility using the two dominant intercity travel modes, auto and air. These trends include the changing character of the economic structure of industry. The character of the North American industrial structure is moving rapidly from a manufacturing base to a service based economy. This is increasing the need for business travel while the increase in disposable income due to higher salaries has promoted increased social and tourist travel. Another trend is the change in the regulatory environment. The trend towards deregulation has dramatically reduced the willingness of the airlines to operate from smaller airports and the level of service has fallen due to the creation of hub and spoke systems. While new air technology such as regional jets may mitigate this trend to some degree in medium-size airports, smaller airports will continue to lose out. Finally, increasing environmental concerns have reduced the ability of the automobile to meet intercity travel needs because of increased suburban congestion and limited highway capacity in big cities. Against this background the rail mode offers new options due to first, the existing rail rights-of-way offering direct access into major cities that, in most cases, have significant capacity available and, second, a revolution in vehicle technology that makes new rail rolling stock faster and less expensive to purchase and operate. This study is designed to evaluate the potential for rail service making an important contribution to maintaining regional mobility over the next 30 to 50 years in Iowa. The study evaluates the potential for rail service on three key routes across Iowa and assesses the impact of new train technology in reducing costs and improving rail service. The study also considers the potential for developing the system on an incremental basis. The service analysis and recommendations do not involve current Amtrak intercity service. That service is presumed to continue on its current route and schedule. The study builds from data and analyses that have been generated for the Midwest Rail Initiative (MWRI) Study. For example, the zone system and operating and capital unit cost assumptions are derived from the MWRI study. The MWRI represents a cooperative effort between nine Midwest states, Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) contracting with Transportation Economics & Management Systems, Inc. to evaluate the potential for a regional rail system. The 1 The map represents the system including the decision on the Iowa route derived from the current study. Iowa Rail Route Alternatives Analysis TEMS 1-2 system is to offer modern, frequent, higher speed train service to the region, with Chicago as the connecting hub. Exhibit 1-1 illustrates the size of the system, and how the Iowa route fits in to the whole.

Midwest Regional Rail Passenger Initiative and Passenger Rail Service in Iowa Status Report

This report provides the status of the Passenger Rail Service Revolving Fund and the development and operation of the midwest regional rail system and the state's passenger rail service.

July 2009 Rail Company Abandonment Plans Map, 2009

This is a map of railroad lines in Iowa under study to be abandoned.

Rail service map : [Iowa], 1983

This map shows operational and abandoned service rail lines in Iowa.

Midwest Regional Rail Passenger Initiative and Passenger Rail Service in Iowa, 2014

This report provides the status of the Passenger Rail Service Revolving Fund and the development and operation of the midwest regional rail system and the state's passenger rail service.

Iowa connections : get on board with passenger rail!

Iowa's rail network offers a great opportunity for passenger rail service, connecting Iowa's largest urban areas to Chicago and potential other Midwest metropolitan centers. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), working with the state of Illinois, Iowa cities, planning organizations and advocacy groups, has created a bold new vision called Iowa Connections. The vision will create a passenger rail network that connects Iowans to each other and the country, and makes Iowa a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

Evaluation of "FIBERMESH" Synthetic Fibers in P.C. Concrete Bridge Barrier Rail, MLR-88-17, 1988

Ten bridges were chosen to have their concrete barrier rails constructed with one rail having "Fibermesh" synthetic fibers added and the other rail without the fibers. The rails were constructed in 1985, 1986, or 1987. All the bridges were inspected in 1988 and no consistent reduction in cracking was achieved using Fibermesh fibers in the p.c. concrete bridge barrier rails.

Midwest Regional Rail Passenger Initiative and Passenger Rail Service in Iowa, 2015

This report provides the status of the Passenger Rail Service Revolving Fund and the development and operation of the midwest regional rail system and the state's passenger rail service.