Riverfront Multimodal Freight Study_AECOM AgreementMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Riverfront Multimodal Freight Study
CIP 3501053
DATE: February 6, 2012
Dubuque
bierd
All-America City
1
2007
The City has identified the need to have a better understanding of the existing /future
commodity and freight movement through the region. Through the evaluation of freight
flows that move along the Mississippi River (barge /rail) or cross the river (truck/rail),
opportunities may be available to increase commodity movement across Dove Harbor
with other industrial sites around the country.
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos recommends City Council approval of an agreement
between the City of Dubuque and AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for a Riverfront
Multimodal Freight Study at an estimated cost of $25,000. The report will include the
following information:
- Summary of the existing cargo movement systems (products and shippers)
relevant to the Dubuque area.
- Identify riverfront parcels and industrial properties that are or could benefit from
greater commodity movement operation.
- Provide strategies to link the West Side Industrial Park with riverfront industrial
cargo activity.
- Provide an understanding of current perceptions regarding the federal policy
change on incentives for ethanol production.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
THE CITY OF
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
SUBJECT: Riverfront Multimodal Freight Study
CIP 3501053
DATE: February 10, 2012
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
All-America City
1111 1
2007
This memorandum is to seek approval and execution of an agreement between the
City and Dubuque (the City) and AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) for the
Riverfront Multimodal Freight Study.
DISCUSSION
The City has identified the need to have a better understanding of the existing /future
commodity and freight movement through the region. Through the evaluation of
freight flows that move along the Mississippi River (barge /rail) or cross the river
(truck /rail), opportunities may be available to increase commodity movement across
Dove Harbor with other industrial sites around the country.
The Economic Development office and the Engineering Department have been
working with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) to develop a proposed
scope of work. As noted on the enclosed agreement, AECOM will provide a report
that will include:
- Summary of the existing cargo movement systems (products and shippers)
relevant to the Dubuque area.
- Identify riverfront parcels and industrial properties that are or could benefit from
greater commodity movement operation.
- Provide strategies to link the West Side Industrial Park with riverfront industrial
cargo activity.
- Provide an understanding of current perceptions regarding the federal policy
change on incentives for ethanol production.
The report would be developed from interviews with track and barge shippers,
railroad, and those parties that the City feels is and can benefit from greater freight
movement. The report will also provide its finding using data from USA Trade Online
(a division of the US Census Bureau that gathers monthly /yearly US import /export
data), the State of Iowa, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
AECOM would complete this report within four weeks of contract execution.
BUDGET IMPACT
The AECOM agreement is estimated at $25,000. This cost will be taken from the
Riverfront Leasehold Improvements (CIP 3501053).
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The approval and execution of the agreement between City and Dubuque (the City)
and AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) for the Riverfront Multimodal Freight
Study is requested.
cc: Jenny Larson, Budget Director
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Steve Sampson Brown, Project Manager
Attach.
aCOM
Introduction
AECOM has been asked by the City of Dubuque to provide an initial evaluation of the business case
for a large scale project in Dubuque, one which would link commodity movement across Bell Harbor
with industrial sites across the county. The approach will explore the broader array of freight flows
that move along the Mississippi River (barge /rail) or cross the river (truck/rail) to understand
opportunities to increase commodity and freight movement through the region.
Task 1: Interviews
AECOM will conduct interviews with key individuals involved in the movement of freight through the
region, including:
• Truck and barge shippers
• Class 1 / short line railroads
• Site selectors
The focus of the interviews will be to confirm private sector perspectives as to the competitive
position of the Greater Dubuque area and the suitability of the area to sustain a larger scale
commodity movement operation. Interviews will also seek to understand views regarding the current
change in federal policy regarding incentives for ethanol production.
Task 2: Data Analysis
The project team will use available data to define the products and shippers within the Dubuque
region which may be optimal candidates to initiate targeted freight movements. To accomplish this
task, AECOM will:
• Study freight flows to, from, and through the defined Dubuque market area, relying on import and
export data reported by USA Trade Online. The database covers 18,000 export commodities
and 24,000 import commodities.
• Evaluate data from State of Iowa and USDA on crop production levels and pricing
• Develop transportation operational and infrastructure concepts for freight movement across
candidate sites, linking the riverfront and local industrial parks. The concepts will include the
anticipated alignment for the region's transportation providers and industries. Such concepts
may include additional rail and roadway corridors, as well as increased freight velocity and
service integration.
Policy Framework: The team will place Dubuque in a broader national and global context, framing
the policy issues that will influence how freight could move in the future. Issues to be considered
could include the Panama Canal and CREATE in Chicago, as well as evolving federal support for
renewable energy and biofuels.
Deliverable: AECOM will deliver to the client a report summarizing the existing cargo movement
system relevant to the Dubuque area and the potential development for increased international
trade. We will identify key transportation infrastructure elements as they exist and are needed, as
well as strategies to link the West Side Industrial Park with the riverfront. The report will include an
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aCOM
assessment of the riverfront parcels, as well as select industrial properties in the greater Dubuque
area, for there alignment with industrial development and freight movement in the area.
Budget: $25,000. Project completion in 4 weeks.
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