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NHRRA Meeting 10/22/01

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE RAILROAD REVITALIZATION ASSOCIATION

“From Heritage to Vision”

Making a difference in New Hampshire’s Economic Future
through Transportation Research and Education

P.O. Box 193, Weare, NH 0328
Home page:  http://trainweb.org/nhrra

INTERMODAL · FREIGHT · PASSENGER · TOURIST

 

REPORT ON PUBLIC FORUM, 10/22/01

            The Forum, held at the N.H. Safety Council offices in Concord featured Christopher "Kit" Morgan, Rail Administrator/NH DOT, and John DiNapoli, Industrial Dev. Representative, NH Dept Resources and Economic Development.  The meeting started promptly at 7:00 PM.  The objective was to glean an overview of what the “official” state position was as to the status of industrial development as associated with rail transportation.

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            Kit Morgan passed out copies of NH's latest State Rail Plan [Available online in Acrobat Format] which included an inventory of the state's remaining rail lines, indications of where limited investment funds should be directed, and a look at commuter rail potential.

            Kit indicated that because much of the 459 miles of track in NH is privately owned, planning becomes very difficult. He expressed the unrealistic hope that the rail system, unlike all other modes of transportation, could become profitable enough so that subsidies would not be needed. He also indicated it was hard to get a handle on actual tonnage figures because this information is proprietary in nature.

            As far as NH rail corridors meeting new 21st Century standards for axel loading and clearance, only the NH North Coast and Guilford Main Line can accommodate 286,000 pound cars, and the only double-stack capability in NH is St. Lawrence & Atlantic RR across the northern tier.

            Kit indicated most tonnage except for the weekly coal train to Bow is "bridge traffic" to Maine. Kit emphasized that abandoned rights-of-way should be preserved for potential future rail use, and there is an acquisition fund for buying up abandoned lines.  There is no rail cost-sharing program in NH as in abutting states but there is a modest revolving loan fund for improvements. However specific projects must be bonded [and without a broad based tax NH leaves $millions in available money in Washington because of the inability to provide matching funds - ed].

            Kit indicated future studies should include: a closer look at passenger rail, the establishment of guidelines for management of abandoned corridors, supporting provision for 286k and double-stack RR cars, and participation in regional rail planning.

            On projects underway or being planned, Kit indicated the alternatives being considered for the I-93 corridor from Manchester to the MA State Line were: reviving the Manchester & Lawrence Line, upgrading Guilford's Main Line, or running track down the I-93 median.  [Studies have shown that upgrading the main line will not help the I-93 problem - ed].

            For the Lowell to Nashua MBTA Commuter extension, the pre-engineering study is underway to

be completed by summer 2002. The next hurdle will be negotiations with Guilford and MBTA over operations. The project is continually waiting for the next increment of federal funding.

            The Boston/Montreal Corridor High-Speed Rail (90 mph+) study is underway with Vermont taking the lead with Mass. and Quebec as partners. New Hampshire is supporting the study but taking a back seat. There are 11 such designated HS corridors nationwide splitting $5 million in planning and pre-engineering funds between them. Key issues include determining if potential shippers exist, passenger potential, elimination of hazards (i.e., at-grade crossings). The selected consultant scheduled to be on board in November.

            Following Kit’s remarks there was a 20 minute question and answer period.

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            John DiNapoli began his presentation by distributing a packet of information concerning State industrial development planning to each of the attendees.  His responsibility is to recruit businesses to (re)locate to NH. Over the past two years over 2 million square feet have been leased or purchased creating 10,000 new jobs. Some of those jobs are now being lost (11,000 lay-offs in 2001 alone) due to the economic downturn and Sept. 11 attacks.

 

            John cited the biggest attractors to NH:  [dedicated and talented work-force - ed], no sales or income tax, only a 5% machinery tax, lower unemployment [changed since 9-11, but if true would make qualified workers hard to find - ed], less costly work force overhead (lower wages and fringes?), fewer costly government services, system of Interstate highways.

            John indicated there were very few inquiries about the availability of rail service [contrasts with PSNH that indicated they have received many inquiries - ed].  John indicated the Port of Portsmouth was a "non factor" in whether a company (re)locates to New Hampshire.

            Since John’s remarks were so clear and he took questions as he went along, there were very few questions afterward.

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            Peter Griffin thanked the speakers for their remarks which were attentively received, and welcomed new and renewing members Kenneth Milender of Warner, Richard Currier of Contoocook, and “Cara” Nagy of Chichester.

 

                                                Recorded:  Malcolm T Taylor, Gus Sheedy

 

<Paul W Chapman [milepost10@juno.com] November 16, 2001 8:03 AM>

 

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