| 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.
Identified Improvements
125 East 11th Street . Austin, Texas 78701 
Copyright 2012. Texas Department of Transportation. All Rights Reserved.
