Partnership with Union Pacific

Cooperative Framework for Shared Corridor Operations

The success of the Colorado Springs–Denver commuter corridor — and any future expansion — depends fundamentally on a cooperative framework with Union Pacific Railroad (UP). As the owner and operator of the primary rail infrastructure along the proposed route, Union Pacific’s participation ensures operational integrity, regulatory compliance, and safe coexistence between freight and passenger services.

A transparent partnership with UP is not only practical but essential for long-term viability and scalability.

1. Shared Corridors: Leveraging Underutilized Assets

Union Pacific’s Joint Line, which runs between Colorado Springs and Denver, is an example of a moderately used freight corridor with available capacity during commuter peak windows.

Rather than constructing entirely new right-of-way — which can exceed $20 million per mile for electrified double-track lines — shared use allows the state or regional authority to utilize existing infrastructure under UP dispatch control.

Advantages include:

  • Substantial cost savings and reduced environmental impact

  • Access to well-maintained mainline infrastructure with proven safety records

  • Time-separated operations between freight and passenger service to avoid congestion

  • Minimal land acquisition or disruption to local communities

This approach mirrors successful shared-use models in other U.S. regions — such as Amtrak’s California Corridor, Metra’s Chicago network, and FrontRunner Utah — where freight and commuter trains coexist under well-defined operating windows and liability frameworks.

2. Regulatory Context: FRA and Trackage-Right Agreements

Any passenger service operating on a freight-owned corridor must comply with regulations set forth by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

Key regulatory steps include:

  • Trackage Rights Agreement (TRA): a legal contract outlining access fees, maintenance obligations, dispatch priorities, and liability allocation between UP and the passenger operator

  • FRA Safety Certification: ensures all rolling stock, signaling systems, and operating personnel meet national standards

  • Environmental and Capacity Review: under NEPA, verifying that shared use does not negatively affect UP’s freight efficiency or environmental compliance

The FRA’s Shared-Use Policy Framework specifically encourages partnerships that expand passenger mobility without compromising freight efficiency — an ideal alignment for the Colorado Springs–Denver project.

3. Union Pacific’s Existing Infrastructure

Union Pacific already maintains robust infrastructure along this corridor that can accommodate additional passenger services with minimal upgrades:

  • Track and Sidings: the Joint Line includes multiple sidings spaced at operationally efficient intervals, suitable for overtakes or meets between passenger and freight trains

  • Signaling Systems: the corridor operates under Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), enabling coordinated dispatching and predictable time-slot allocation

  • Positive Train Control (PTC): UP’s network is fully PTC-compliant, providing a digital safety overlay that automatically prevents collisions and speed violations

  • Maintenance Facilities: UP’s depots near Denver and Colorado Springs provide potential sites for shared fueling and light maintenance operations, reducing duplication of infrastructure

Together, these assets offer a ready-made foundation for introducing limited-schedule commuter services — effectively transforming a freight route into a dual-purpose corridor.

4. Benefits to Union Pacific

Engaging in a structured passenger partnership offers tangible advantages to Union Pacific beyond simple track usage fees:

Economic & Operational Benefits

  • Generates steady revenue through trackage-rights agreements and cost-sharing on maintenance or upgrades

  • Encourages public investment in corridor improvements that also enhance UP’s freight performance

Public Relations & ESG Value

  • Aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments by supporting zero-emission transportation

  • Enhances UP’s corporate image as a sustainability partner in state and federal transportation initiatives

  • Strengthens community goodwill by enabling better mobility and reduced highway congestion along its right-of-way

This alignment between public mobility goals and UP’s long-term sustainability objectives makes collaboration both feasible and mutually beneficial.

5. Links and Reference Resources

For transparency and stakeholder access, several public Union Pacific resources are relevant to corridor analysis and partnership planning:

Summary

A successful Colorado Springs–Denver commuter service hinges on Union Pacific’s engagement as an operational partner. Through a balanced agreement on capacity, safety, and investment, the project can transform existing freight infrastructure into a modern, multimodal mobility corridor.

Such a collaboration positions UP not only as a rail carrier, but as a key enabler of sustainable regional growth and low-carbon transportation across the Front Range.

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