3/15/2016
ITD, Eastern Idaho Railroad collaborate on $350,000 savings in upcoming Thornton project
RIGBY - The project hasn't even started yet, and there is already $350,000 in Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) savings on the Thornton Interchange.
Eastern Idaho Railroad let Rocky Mountain Power run power along its right of way instead of making the power company reroute the line through Thornton, enabling the project to proceed on schedule and saving ITD significant cost.
Rocky Mountain Power officials didn’t think the railroad company would allow the power company to run their line along the railroad tracks, but ITD eastern Idaho Transportation Staff Engineer Assistant Ryan Day (pictured here) thought otherwise. He called Scott Adams and the team at Eastern Idaho Railroad, who granted the desired easement.
In preparation for constructing the Thornton Interchange, ITD planned to
pay two-thirds of the $1.3 million cost of rerouting the power line.
With the railroad company’s concession, the cost of moving the line was
cut to $800,000, of which ITD’s share was $415,000.
“This story illustrates the benefits of stakeholder involvement and of good business relationships,” says ITD Chief Engineer Kimbol Allen. “A big thanks to Ryan and to the railroad. It is one more example of ITD and railroad companies working together to further state-local teamwork and to improve project results.”
Eastern Idaho Railroad’s only stipulation was that Rocky Mountain Power purchase liability insurance for construction, obtain easements, and coordinate its power-pole installation to avoid conflicts with train service. Eastern Idaho Railroad is a short line railroad company owned by Watco Companies LLC, based in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Ryan’s involvement and quick thinking, coupled with the railroad company’s accommodation, saved the day. Day works with railroad companies on railroad-crossing improvements.