Sidings
Weekly Update #1
16
April 2004
NOT ALL SCHEDULED; NEEDS TO BE
To
date, we have completed 0 of the 4 sidings tentatively planned for 2004. Of the four sidings, only Tracy has been
scheduled. As of now, we need to focus
on getting the planning and scheduling finalized. Its original completion date was projected for June, but moved up
to May 15 due to accelerated commitments and needs. The other three have not been scheduled, but need to be. Generically, we have assumed they would not
be done until the end of the year, though it is hoped they might be
accomplished by late 3rd quarter.
The Florence siding is still awaiting conclusion of the cost sharing
agreement with BNSF. The Manchester
siding is being reconsidered in light of traffic flows, and the final decision
may be impacted by the outcome of the Florence issue with BNSF. The Cobden siding has been approved, and we
expect to have a schedule in place on that next week. With respect to the Tracy, Cobden and Manchester sidings:
¨
The
Tracy Siding was started March 22, 2004.
¨
Sub
grade is 100% complete and the track is 60% complete
¨
Delivery
of the east main line switch is expected by May 1st. The crossovers
from the pass to the mainline, which will be installed west of sale barn road
and east of the east lead for yard accessibility without teeing up the pass,
will be installed after the new siding is in service. When this is complete,
the new pass will be the extension plus track 1 in the yard. The current pass,
which is track 4, will be a long storage track.
¨
Date
of service to be May 15, 2004.
¨
The
Cobden siding has just recently been approved as far as need by transportation
and engineering.
¨
Expect
AFE to be finalized and signed by April 19
¨
Complete
construction will take 180 days after that meaning the siding will be
operational by October 17th. Detailed schedule to be included in future update
¨
The
Manchester siding is undergoing further scrutiny by the transportation and
engineering managers to better define need pending the outcome of the Florence
interchange and other matters. That
decision will be made by April 30, 2004
¨
If
the conclusion of that decision is that we do indeed need the siding, the total
construction time will be 165 days from that decision’s date.