News & Commentary
A Comprehensive Update, Rail Projects Progress - Spring 2020
Posted 4/20/2020
This update outlines a series of Projects during 2020, expanding on the LSSA/MITech Data Co-op Project (final report posted 4/3/2020), our overall objective remains to convert over-the-road truckload freight to rail and rail intermodal to fill currently underutilized rail capacity and identify new investments in rail and rail-related infrastructure to accommodate additional truckload conversions beyond existing rail capacity. More specifically, the multiple projects are outlined and discussed in the Update, as their goal, will:
- On the demand side, assemble and deploy Actionable Shipper Data, freight all kinds, rail, truckload and intermodal of sufficient magnitude/volumes, at the freight lane level, to support railroad operations, rate and investment decisions that will result in substantial conversions from over-the-road truckload to rail and rail intermodal; and
- On the supply side, assemble from the railroad participants, railroad operations and service metrics to support feasible conversions of over-the-road truckloads to currently underutilized rail capacity and as the foundation for application for federal grant funds for selected, identified rail and rail related infrastructure investments.
The proposed deadline for completion of the Projects is year end 2020 with the objective of supporting applications for shares of the over $1 billion plus of USDOT infrastructure competitive grant funds. It is likely that the total available funding may be increased in the coming months.
MI/WI Legislators' Joint Forum on Northwoods Rail Service Upcoming
Posted 8/13/2019
Michigan Senator McBroom and Wisconsin Senator Tiffany will hold two public meetings on northwoods rail service, at Marquette on Monday, August 26, 2019 and at Rhinelander on Tuesday, August 27, 2019. See the Public Notice here.
NRTC/LSSA-DCC Joint Meeting, More About Grant Funding Opportunities
Posted 3/5/2019
LSSA's Data Co-op Committee and Northwoods Rail Transit Commission held a joint meeting 1/18/2019. Acting Chair, Stacey Johnson, explained NRTC's initiatives on: (a) coordinating activities of organizations interested in Northwods rail access (e.g., New North, GLTPA, WCA, etc.); and (b) seed money and grant funding for Northwoods rail and rail related preservation and infrastructure projects. Libby Ogard's, Prime Focus LLC, presentation provided "Grant Funding Opportunities Overview". Pasi Lautala provided an update of final steps in Phase One of the MI Tech /LSSA Data Co-op Project which has developed a uniquely detailed picture of Northwoods rail opportunities at the "Actionable Shipper Data" level [3rd Stakeholder Meeting MI Tech Report].
Moving Along on 2019-2020 Campaign, Follow the Money
Posted 12/13/2018
LSSA Data Co-op Committee meeting 11/6/2018 at Escanaba featured an update on MI Tech Data Co-op Project, exploration of the multiple uses for the aggregated data, expanding the number of years in the data base and consideration of recommendations for Campaign 2019-2020. At Madison on 11/27-28/2018, Counsel and NRTC's Chair addressed these topics in a series of meetings with: WI Counties Association; WI Manufacturers & Commerce; and WisDOT economic development and rail and harbors staff. From the latter consultations emerged a draft outline for a Wisconsin Forest and Freight Rail Preservation Program ("F2RPP"). The objective of F2RPP is to provide availability and flexibility of State funding to leverage federal grants such as those announced by USDOT on 12/11/2018, $1.5 Billion in BUILD Transportation Grants to Revitalize Infrastructure Nationwide.
NRTC Meets - Update on 2019-2020 Campaign Suggestions
Posted 11/1/2018
On 10/26/2018, the Northwoods Rail Transit Commission met at Rhinelander at the headquarters of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association ("GLTPA"). Counsel was provided a generous opportunity to participate and provide information on LSSA Data Co-op Project and on "gearing up" for WCGroup/LSSA Campaign 2019-2020. Representatives of the CN and E&LS railroads also participated. The NRTC meeting afforded a post-meeting opportunity to visit with GLTPA's Executive Director on the same topics. Meeting follow-up includes circulation to NRTC suggestions outlined in Campaign 2019-2020 - Some Action Options To Consider. The paper will also be presented to the LSSA DCC meeting at Escanaba on 11/6/2018. Several NRTC officials have been invited to attend.
More Gearing Up for WCGroup/LSSA 2019-2020 Campaign
Posted 10/15/2018
On 10/13/2018, at Governor Walker's "2018 Governor's Freight Industry Summit - Wisconsin Freight: Recognizing the Local Connection," we circulated a further paper as part of the prologue to the WCGroup/LSSA's 2019 campaign for implementing concerted action based, in part, on anticipated findings of Phase 1 of the LSSA/Michigan Tech Data Co-Op Project.
An updated version of the paper is provided here: Un-Balkanize/Reintegrate Great Lakes Forests Wood Fiber Market, Re-Connect the Great Lakes Forests Region Rail Network.
Gearing Up for WCGroup/LSSA 2019-2020 Campaign
Posted 09/17/2018
On 9/13/2018 at WMC Headquarters, Madison, WisDOT Secretary Ross and Deputy Secretary Seitz keynoted and engaged in Q&A with participants at a special meeting of the WMC Transportation Committee. A draft of Counsel's upcoming presentation, on 9/19/2018 to the Price County Economic Development Corporation, was circulated. The paper is prologue to the WCGroup/LSSA's 2019 campaign for implementing concerted action based, in part, on anticipated findings of Phase 1 of the LSSA/Michigan Tech Data Co-Op Project.
The paper is available here: Challenges and Opportunities, Northwoods Railroading & Jobs - We're Not Fly-Over Country, and We're Not Going to Take It Anymore!
Escanaba Meeting 3/16/2017, Consensus Outline
Posted 04/11/2017
A diverse group of Great Lakes Forests Region freight rail stakeholders met at Weyerhauser's Escanaba, MI office on 3/16/2017. The meeting was hosted by Michigan Forest Products Council and included stakeholder members of Wisconsin Paper Council and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. The product of these discussions and follow-up comments from Escanaba 3/16/2017 Invitees/Attendees is a Consensus Outline. In coming weeks, a focus group will proceed with refining priorities for WCGroup's Action Agenda 2017.
Moving Along on 2019-2020 Campaign, Follow the Money
Posted 12/13/2018
LSSA Data Co-op Committee meeting 11/6/2018 at Escanaba featured an update on MI Tech Data Co-op Project, exploration of the multiple uses for the aggregated data, expanding the number of years in the data base and consideration of recommendations for Campaign 2019-2020. At Madison on 11/27-28/2018, Counsel and NRTC's Chair addressed these topics in a series of meetings with: WI Counties Association; WI Manufacturers & Commerce; and WisDOT economic development and rail and harbors staff. From the latter consultations emerged a draft outline for a Wisconsin Forest and Freight Rail Preservation Program ("F2RPP"). The objective of F2RPP is to provide availability and flexibility of State funding to leverage federal grants such as those announced by USDOT on 12/11/2018, $1.5 Billion in BUILD Transportation Grants to Revitalize Infrastructure Nationwide.
NRTC Meets - Update on 2019-2020 Campaign Suggestions
Posted 11/1/2018
On 10/26/2018, the Northwoods Rail Transit Commission met at Rhinelander at the headquarters of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association ("GLTPA"). Counsel was provided a generous opportunity to participate and provide information on LSSA Data Co-op Project and on "gearing up" for WCGroup/LSSA Campaign 2019-2020. Representatives of the CN and E&LS railroads also participated. The NRTC meeting afforded a post-meeting opportunity to visit with GLTPA's Executive Director on the same topics. Meeting follow-up includes circulation to NRTC suggestions outlined in Campaign 2019-2020 - Some Action Options To Consider. The paper will also be presented to the LSSA DCC meeting at Escanaba on 11/6/2018. Several NRTC officials have been invited to attend.
More Gearing Up for WCGroup/LSSA 2019-2020 Campaign
Posted 10/15/2018
On 10/13/2018, at Governor Walker's "2018 Governor's Freight Industry Summit - Wisconsin Freight: Recognizing the Local Connection," we circulated a further paper as part of the prologue to the WCGroup/LSSA's 2019 campaign for implementing concerted action based, in part, on anticipated findings of Phase 1 of the LSSA/Michigan Tech Data Co-Op Project.
An updated version of the paper is provided here: Un-Balkanize/Reintegrate Great Lakes Forests Wood Fiber Market, Re-Connect the Great Lakes Forests Region Rail Network.
Gearing Up for WCGroup/LSSA 2019-2020 Campaign
Posted 09/17/2018
On 9/13/2018 at WMC Headquarters, Madison, WisDOT Secretary Ross and Deputy Secretary Seitz keynoted and engaged in Q&A with participants at a special meeting of the WMC Transportation Committee. A draft of Counsel's upcoming presentation, on 9/19/2018 to the Price County Economic Development Corporation, was circulated. The paper is prologue to the WCGroup/LSSA's 2019 campaign for implementing concerted action based, in part, on anticipated findings of Phase 1 of the LSSA/Michigan Tech Data Co-Op Project.
The paper is available here: Challenges and Opportunities, Northwoods Railroading & Jobs - We're Not Fly-Over Country, and We're Not Going to Take It Anymore!
Action Agenda 2018 4/11/2017
Escanaba Meeting 3/16/2017, Consensus Outline
Posted 04/11/2017
A diverse group of Great Lakes Forests Region freight rail stakeholders met at Weyerhauser's Escanaba, MI office on 3/16/2017. The meeting was hosted by Michigan Forest Products Council and included stakeholder members of Wisconsin Paper Council and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. The product of these discussions and follow-up comments from Escanaba 3/16/2017 Invitees/Attendees is a Consensus Outline. In coming weeks, a focus group will proceed with refining priorities for WCGroup's Action Agenda 2017.
Northwoods Branch Lines, Short Lines, Preservation Options
Posted 09/25/2015
At the invitation of the Northwoods Rail Transit Commission meeting, September 25, 2015, WCGroup presented "Branch Lines, Short Lines, Preservation Options." WCGroup emphasized commitment to working collaboratively with CN to assure lines in the Great Lakes Forests Region operate as an integrated "system." WCGroup reiterated that it believes a railroad "system" is the better path - likely the only practicable path - to positive outcomes for restoration of competitive, sustainable freight rail service for the Region.
Competition in the Railroad Industry -
Congressional Mandate to Surface Transportation Board
Posted 09/25/2015
WCGroup has renewed its call for completion of STB's investigation of the state of competition in the Railroad Industry, specifically for non-captive, truck-competitive freight. WCGroup has requested a "Congressional Mandate" to STB to complete its pending investigation be added to the upcoming Highway Bill. The request is consistent with WCGroup Testimony in STB Dockets EP 704 and 705. Call for the mandate was presented to Reps. Reid Ribble and Bill Schuster at a transportation roundtable in Appleton, 10/3/2014. Rep. Ribble is a member, and Rep. Shuster is the Chair, of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which is currently working on the next Highway Bill. The request was also presented to Senator Tammy Baldwin at a transportation roundtable at Sun Prairie, 9/4/2015. Sen. Baldwin is actively involved in Senate consideration of, and pending legislation on, rail transportation and competition issues.
For our Region, rail competitiveness for non-captive, truck-competitive freight - not only competitiveness of our serving railroads but also their Class I connections - is critical. Among the Class I, CN appears to be one of the more experienced and committed to competing for the variety of commodities, including merchandise freight, involved in the retail railroad our Region needs. The suggested mandate to STB is intended to bring this field of competitiveness to the attention of all of the North American Class Is and their shortline partners.
Upcoming CN/WCGroup Intermodal and Log Committee Meetings
Posted 05/15/2014
The Intermodal Committee will meet on 6/4/2014 in Appletion at the D.J. Bordini Center, Fox Valley Technical College. The Committee meeting will be held following "WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com: Future of Transportaton II," featuring U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble, vice chair of the House Highways Subcommittee. Rep. Ribble is expected to joing the Intermodal Committee with welcoming remarks regarding interest in the Cn/WCGroup "collaborative" process. The Log Committee will meet on 6/5/2014 in Green Bay.
How the Railroad Can Help Fix Willow Road
Posted 02/26/2014
Like Humpty-Dumpty, Willow Road is taking a beating, and all the town and county officials are having difficulty coming up with a fix. More
CN/WCGroup Collaboration - Busy Start to 2014
Posted 07/18/2013
Zoom. From our January CN Advisory Board meeting it has been fast forward through filing of an $18 million TIGER VI grant application for a Great Lakes Forest Log Car Fleet at the end of April. More.
CN Advisory Board, Intermodal Committee Activity
Posted 07/18/2013
On July 8, 2013, the CN Advisory Board met at Lake Geneva (with several members participating via call-in service provided by WMC). CN provided updates on development of its customer service capabilities, advancement of work on the Whitehall subdivision and relationships of these and other developments to agendas of the CN/WCGroup working committees. More
CN Advisory Board, Intermodal Committee Activity
Posted 07/18/2013
On July 8, 2013, the CN Advisory Board met at Lake Geneva (with several members participating via call-in service provided by WMC). CN provided updates on development of its customer service capabilities, advancement of work on the Whitehall subdivision and relationships of these and other developments to agendas of the CN/WCGroup working committees. More
2nd Bi-Annual Great Lakes Forestry Policy Conference June 24, 2013
Posted 07/18/2013
The Conference, hosted by U.S. Congressmen Dan Benishek (MI-1), Sean Duffy (WI-7) and Reid Ribble (WI-8), at Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel, Wabeno, WI, drew some 285 registered participants. The panel on "Timber Transportation Issues" moderated by Congressman Ribble, featured: Tom Tisa, Canadian National's Director, Network Strategies; DJ Aderman, President, Futurewood Corp. (affiliated with Johnson Timber); and Jake Hayrynen, Forest Products Manager, JM Longyear, LLC. The three panelists serve on the Canadian National Advisory Board. Futurewood and Longyear also serve on the CN/WCGroup Log Committee. The Log Committee is dedicated to dramatically expanding rail transportation of the products of the Great Lakes Forests and, thus, their competitiveness in local national and export markets. More
2nd Bi-Annual Great Lakes Forestry Policy Conference June 24, 2013
Posted 07/18/2013
The Conference, hosted by U.S. Congressmen Dan Benishek (MI-1), Sean Duffy (WI-7) and Reid Ribble (WI-8), at Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel, Wabeno, WI, drew some 285 registered participants. The panel on "Timber Transportation Issues" moderated by Congressman Ribble, featured: Tom Tisa, Canadian National's Director, Network Strategies; DJ Aderman, President, Futurewood Corp. (affiliated with Johnson Timber); and Jake Hayrynen, Forest Products Manager, JM Longyear, LLC. The three panelists serve on the Canadian National Advisory Board. Futurewood and Longyear also serve on the CN/WCGroup Log Committee. The Log Committee is dedicated to dramatically expanding rail transportation of the products of the Great Lakes Forests and, thus, their competitiveness in local national and export markets. More
Northwoods Rail Transit Commission — WisDOT Economic Study, Meeting Upcoming 7/26/2013
Posted 07/18/2013
We expect to submit a request for approval of NRTC's "Restated Articles of Organization and Interstate Cooperation Agreement" to Governor Walker and Attorney General Van Hollen in advance of NRTC's meeting 7/26/2013. WMC TransCom's assisted, pro bono, in developing the legal documents to extend NRTC that organizational work related to adding Michigan counties to the NRTC membership may proceed approval. More
CN and WCGroup Will Participate in Forestry Conference, 6/24/2013
Posted 06/03/2013
U.S. Congressman Dan Benishek (MI-1), Sean Duffy (WI-7), and Reid Ribble (WI-8) will host the event at Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel in Wabeno, Wisconsin, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The conference goal is to highlight current policies that impact forestry and discuss opportunities that will allow better utilization forest resources across the three congressional districts. Rep. Ribble will moderate the panel on “Timber Transportation Issues” including Tom Tisa, CN's Director, Network Strategies and Chair of the CN Advisory Board, along with Board members and WCGroup participants, D.J. Aderman, President, Futurewood Corp., and Jake Hayrynen, Forest Products Manager, JM Longyear. More
Upcoming for CN Advisory Board, Log and Intermodal Working Committees.
Posted 06/01/2013
The CN Advisory Board will meet at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2013, at the Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI, immediately ahead of the 2013 Summer Meeting of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers. The CN/WCGroup Log and Intermodal Working Committees are expected to hold initial meetings this month.
The State of Intermodal Transportation in Wisconsin,
CSCMP Northeast Wisconsin Roundtable, Green Bay, 4/3/2013.
Posted 05/16/2013
WCGroup counsel and WMC/WCGroup transportation liaison, Jason Culotta, attended. The keynote presentation, by TTX, provided global and specific insights on “Intermodal Trade and Industry Trends”. “Intermodal Options in Wisconsin” examined WI intermodal services from shipper, dray, third-party and railroad (CN) perspectives. “Intermodal Developments and Equipment Access” addressed how intermodal networks and services in WI have evolved, concluding with a presentation of “Intermodal Demand in Northeast Wisconsin,” including more detail on the shipper survey and conclusion presented to the Brown County Port/Rail Committee on 3/26/2013. More
WCGroup Support for Northwoods Rail Transit Commission.
Posted 05/16/2013
WCGroup counsel attended NRTC's meeting at Rhinelander on 3/27/2013. CN representatives participated. WisDOT presented results of a shipper survey, as a general proposition, indicated ample traffic potential for the lines. WisDOT is planning a further economic development study. WCG reported on its assistance, pro bono, providing NRTC draft legal documents to extend NRTC membership to include counties in Upper Michigan, as WCGroup had previously recommended. More
WCGroup, Brown County Port/Rail Committee 3/26/2013.
Posted 05/16/2013
WCGroup counsel and CN representatives participated at the Committee meeting including Brown County Executive Troy Steckenbach, other public officials, Georgia-Pacific, Proctor & Gamble and the Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad. Shipper survey results, as a general proposition, indicated ample traffic potential to support an intermodal terminal in the Brown County area. More
Wood Pellets, A Green Opportunity for Northwoods Rail Freight.
Posted 05/16/2013
Leading WI-based producers of wood pellets for fuel met with representatives of DOA State Energy Office, DATCP's International Trade Representative, CFIRE (National Center for Freight & Infrastructure Research and Education, at UW-Madison), and MAFC (Mid-America Freight Coalition). WCGroup counsel and a Canadian National representative (providing expertise in wood pellet export markets) participated in the meeting at Rhinelander 4/18/2013. More