A future for high-speed passenger rail in Colorado?
| By Susan the Neon Nurse - Feb 4th, 2009 at 5:37 pm EST |
| Also listed in: CO. Community Leaders | Southeast Colorado Progressives |
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Categories: Economic Fairness & Security, Environment / Conservation, Smart Energy Policy, Public Infrastructure / Transportation, Budget Priorities, All Network Posts: Front Page
Categories: Economic Fairness & Security, Environment / Conservation, Smart Energy Policy, Public Infrastructure / Transportation, Budget Priorities, All Network Posts: Front Page
Due to popular demand (WeatherDem, that means YOU!), I thought I would give a more detailed report on what I learned at the Rocky Mountain RootsCamp 2009 breakout session given by a representative of the Rocky Mountain Rail Authority. Whose name I foolishly did not write down. My bad.
Basically, the RMRA is doing feasibility studies and data gathering on desirable train stops, potential passenger load, and physical terrain conditions. This will all eventually become a "useful tool for lawmakers to take the next step" of approving the funding and giving the go-ahead for construction, possibly as soon as 2015.
Right now it looks like a likely starting place would be to create a direct rail line between DIA and downtown, because that is where the major interest for potential travelers currently lies. Another possible priority is the I-25 corridor. Modern high speed rail requires limited curvature and low grades, which fits the landscape profile along I-25. (This is why existing freight rail lines won't work for high speed rail.) It is also a region of potentially high interest to passenger traffic. The I-70 mountain corridor has high interest too, but that section of the line is going to be far more expensive to build, because much of it will either need to be elevated, or run through ten mile long tunnels through the mountains.
There are good reasons for getting started now on establishing high speed rail. As Colorado's population grows, so will the number of vehicles on the highways. Modern passenger trains can move a lot more people for a much lower cost in fuel and pollutants. Getting even some trains rolling will help us meet our goal of 20% less emissions by 2020. It is also the first step towards a nation-wide system of safe, clean and affordable public transportation, the new version of Eisenhower's establishment of the interstate highway system in the 50s.
I say let's get those shovels ready for workin' on the railroad all the live long day!
Basically, the RMRA is doing feasibility studies and data gathering on desirable train stops, potential passenger load, and physical terrain conditions. This will all eventually become a "useful tool for lawmakers to take the next step" of approving the funding and giving the go-ahead for construction, possibly as soon as 2015.
Right now it looks like a likely starting place would be to create a direct rail line between DIA and downtown, because that is where the major interest for potential travelers currently lies. Another possible priority is the I-25 corridor. Modern high speed rail requires limited curvature and low grades, which fits the landscape profile along I-25. (This is why existing freight rail lines won't work for high speed rail.) It is also a region of potentially high interest to passenger traffic. The I-70 mountain corridor has high interest too, but that section of the line is going to be far more expensive to build, because much of it will either need to be elevated, or run through ten mile long tunnels through the mountains.
There are good reasons for getting started now on establishing high speed rail. As Colorado's population grows, so will the number of vehicles on the highways. Modern passenger trains can move a lot more people for a much lower cost in fuel and pollutants. Getting even some trains rolling will help us meet our goal of 20% less emissions by 2020. It is also the first step towards a nation-wide system of safe, clean and affordable public transportation, the new version of Eisenhower's establishment of the interstate highway system in the 50s.
I say let's get those shovels ready for workin' on the railroad all the live long day!
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The RMRA ideal results in too few stops between Cheyenne and Alburquerque, absolutely requires spending an enormous amount of money to move freight rail onto the eastern plains, and cannot work without expensive safety and technology upgrades. It's an ideal alternative to asphalt and the TSA, but will have almost no positive impact on economic development in our cities and towns.
The current downfall is the confusion between the high costs of the high-speed RMRA plan and more quickly achievable commuter rail. The costs of once again connecting ALL of the commuties along Colorado's Front Range with commuter rail service are modest and reasonable.
Call it the big-brother of light-rail. In contrast to the massive upgrades needed for the high-speed system, the current tracks between Denver and Cheyenne can currently handle commuter passenger trains that would stop in nearly every community between Fort Collins and Denver's Union Station.
Unfortunately, the more RMRA pushes for high-speed rail that only stops in Cheyenne, Denver and Alburquerque the harder it is to talk about commuter rail that benefits every community in-between. The reality is that commuter rail on the existing tracks is a supportive program that will prove the viability of passenger rail. Let us ride back and forth from work on a train and it will be blatantly clear that longer trips to Cheyennne Frontier Days or the Alburquerque Balloon Festival are realistic.