Rehabilitation of CRIP Line / Sandown Junction Project

Summary Information Railroad Union Pacific Overview The old Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific line that runs between Belt Junction and currently ends 0.72 miles northwest of Sandown Junction will be rehabilitated and reconnected at Sandown, a second main track will be added parallel to the existing track, and a CTC will be installed. Purpose Currently, coal trains coming off the Moffat headed for the Limon Sub (or vice versa) must take the Belt Line to UP Junction, turn south and move through 36th street yard, cross tracks from the west side to the east side of the yard, and again turn east on the Limon Sub. This must all be done at slow (yard) speeds. The rehabilitation of the CRIP line and reconnection of the line at Sandown would give coal trains a direct mainline route from the Moffat to the Limon Sub, without having to go through a yard. Plan The existing line will be upgraded to 136lb CWR and CTC will be added. A second mainline will be added parallel to the existing track from Belt Junction east. The 0.72 miles of missing track between the end of the line and Sandown will be rebuilt and Sandown Junction will be reconstructed. Detail Information Timeline Construction beginning sometime between 2010 and 2015. Major Obstacles 1. The CRIP is owned by the Denver and Rock Island Railroad (DRIR), a shortline in Denver. The line would have to be purchased from that railroad. 2. 0.72 miles of the CRIP line has been torn up from roughly I-70 / Quebec street to Sandown Junction at Ulster Street. This land has been filled with dirt, and one hotel and a parking lot has been constructed on the right of way. The property would have to be purchased, structures demolished, and the land regraded for the tracks. 3. Several underpasses on the line may not be able to support two tracks running parallel to each other. Project Updates 4/1/2005 - In a decision document issued by the Surface Transportation Board, Union Pacific received approval to acquire the line from the DRIR in exchange the DRIR acquring Stock Yard Lead and North Washington Industrial Park Lead. Both railroads are in agreement, so Union Pacific now owns the CRIP line (see link to STB document below). Start Date Completion Date Total Duration Additional Links STB Decision Document - Link to the document issued by the Surface Transportation Board on April 1, 2005 giving Union Pacific permission to acquire the CRIP line from the Denver Rock Island Railroad (DRIR).