R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc.

The City of Ely, Nevada, selected RLBA to develop the detailed information needed to determine the feasibility of reinstating commercial rail freight service on the Nevada Northern Railroad. The City negotiated with the railroad’s owner, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to purchase the line to facilitate reinstitution of rail freight service. The City has secured funds to construct an intermodal transfer facility near Ely and has applied to the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) for funding to purchase and renovate the track. EDA requires the conduct of a feasibility study and business plan before making a decision. In a separate engagement, RLBA prepared and submitted a feasibility study and business plan to the City.

The assignment included an engineering study, capital cost estimates and an environmental review. The environmental review included updating the findings of previous environmental evaluations, complete a public review process, evaluate the possible impacts of restored commercial freight service, and provide a document that will enable EDA to process an environmental clearance to purchase the rail line, renovate the track and operate rail service.

The engineering study and cost estimate portion of the project included examining all 110 miles of track between McGill Junction and Shafter (connection to Union Pacific Railroad); evaluating current condition including the weight of rail; developing engineering specifications to bring track to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Class 1, 2 or 3 standards; providing mile-by-mile analysis of required renovation and estimating costs thereof, associated with the three standards; developing recommendations for source materials, equipment and contractors; and preparing a prioritized schedule by which the City may place renovation work into two categories: those necessary to achieve FRA Class 1 condition and those necessary to achieve Class 2 and 3 status. EDA accepted the RLBA Engineering Study and Cost Estimate without change.



HOME COMPANY PROFILE LINES OF BUSINESS STAFF NEWS FEATURED PROJECTS CONTACT US
		<< Back to Right-of-Way and Track Structure Value NEVADA NORTHERN RAILROAD ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES The City of Ely, Nevada, selected RLBA to develop the detailed information needed to determine the feasibility of reinstating commercial rail freight service on the Nevada Northern Railroad. The City negotiated with the railroad’s owner, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to purchase the line to facilitate reinstitution of rail freight service. The City has secured funds to construct an intermodal transfer facility near Ely and has applied to the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) for funding to purchase and renovate the track. EDA requires the conduct of a feasibility study and business plan before making a decision. In a separate engagement, RLBA prepared and submitted a feasibility study and business plan to the City. The assignment included an engineering study, capital cost estimates and an environmental review. The environmental review included updating the findings of previous environmental evaluations, complete a public review process, evaluate the possible impacts of restored commercial freight service, and provide a document that will enable EDA to process an environmental clearance to purchase the rail line, renovate the track and operate rail service. The engineering study and cost estimate portion of the project included examining all 110 miles of track between McGill Junction and Shafter (connection to Union Pacific Railroad); evaluating current condition including the weight of rail; developing engineering specifications to bring track to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Class 1, 2 or 3 standards; providing mile-by-mile analysis of required renovation and estimating costs thereof, associated with the three standards; developing recommendations for source materials, equipment and contractors; and preparing a prioritized schedule by which the City may place renovation work into two categories: those necessary to achieve FRA Class 1 condition and those necessary to achieve Class 2 and 3 status. EDA accepted the RLBA Engineering Study and Cost Estimate without change.

ECONOMICS - ENGINEERING - SERVICE PLANNING