23 replies to this topic

[Sloan]

http://www.masstrans...i...n=3&id=2387

Sloan

[EvergreenRailfan]

If it happens, and it still is a big if, it will be the next logical step, with both Tuscon and Phoenix having Streetcars and Light Rail. Then again, 10-20 years ago, nobody thought there would be Light Rail even under construction in Phoenix.

[KevinKorell]

From Arizona Republic, 1/20/07:

Governor pursues plan for commuter-rail lines
Target for Tucson, Phoenix link: 2012

Arizona is moving to play a major role in bringing commuter rail to the Valley and between Phoenix and Tucson.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is days away from asking bidders to plan a passenger rail line connecting Phoenix and Tucson by Centennial Day, Feb. 14, 2012.

This story here.

[EvergreenRailfan]

What a way to celebrate their Centenial as a state. They are one of the few populated western states that does not have commuter rail either operational or in planning stages. Hopefully that will change now. I did notice that Governor Napolitano waited for a re-election victory to issue this executive order.

[EvergreenRailfan]

Former Gov. Babbit has an Op-Ed in the Arizona Republic on the train, and recounts his experience negotiating with the railroad over the Hattie B.

Arizona Republic 1/26/2007

[CNJRoss]

Former Gov. Babbit has an Op-Ed in the Arizona Republic on the train, and recounts his experience negotiating with the railroad over the Hattie B.

Arizona Republic 1/26/2007

The governor and the State Land Department should say to Union Pacific that they will sell it the land with a condition that it agree to provide the state "trackage rights" for future passenger-rail service on the existing line between Phoenix and Tucson. Perhaps we don't need to put commuter service up immediately, but the time is coming, and it's time to make a deal.

Babbit hit the nail on the head; Arizona is in a great position to leverage the UP and can't afford to waste this opportunity.

AZ should seek not only the necessary trackage rights, but also the minimum infrastructure requirement the UP would be required to provide for future commuter rail, lest UP let the line fall into a state of disprepair and AZ have to shoulder the full cost of re-construction.

Ross

[EvergreenRailfan]

The governor and the State Land Department should say to Union Pacific that they will sell it the land with a condition that it agree to provide the state "trackage rights" for future passenger-rail service on the existing line between Phoenix and Tucson. Perhaps we don't need to put commuter service up immediately, but the time is coming, and it's time to make a deal.

Babbit hit the nail on the head; Arizona is in a great position to leverage the UP and can't afford to waste this opportunity.

AZ should seek not only the necessary trackage rights, but also the minimum infrastructure requirement the UP would be required to provide for future commuter rail, lest UP let the line fall into a state of disprepair and AZ have to shoulder the full cost of re-construction.

Ross

That is true. It is best to get those concessions made before final plans for the services are made. Almost like what California did with Southern Pacific when they were planning the Capitol Corridor. They bought the timeslots for the planned service level up front, even though they did not need them at the time. Also, the double-tracking of the Yolo Causeway allowed them to ramp up service recently. Plus, if UP got state money to make the necessary minimal infrastructure improvements to support future passenger rail service, they could stretch their own maintenance budget futher, making improvements on the main-lines. I mean, isn't there spots on the Sunset Route that still don't have CTC, and still mostly-single-tracked even though it is a busy route?

[KevinKorell]

From Tucson, AZ Citizen, 2/2/07:

Train to Phoenix in five years?

Like the little engine that could, the idea of passenger rail service between the Old Pueblo and Phoenix just keeps chugging along.

Very slowly and uphill.

But, if the stars align just right, a regularly running rail line between the two cities could be operating in time for Arizona's centennial in 2012.

Story continues here.

[EvergreenRailfan]

New Editorial from the Arizona Republic, Feb, 11, 2007.

Arizona Republic

The potential names evoke another time, a golden era of train travel: the Phoenix Express, the Tucson Limited and the Desertlander. Or perhaps the Sun Valley Flyer or Roadrunner Express.

The possibilities of a passenger train cruising between Phoenix and Tucson, or commuter rail systems linking the Valley, have long intrigued rail buffs and others, especially as our roads grow more congested.

Over the years, various governors have mused about establishing passenger or commuter rail lines, but the ideas invariably have been set aside as costly or impractical.

Now, Gov. Janet Napolitano is intent on exploring the potential of rail and putting some projects on track. It's a bold move, fraught with considerable challenges - from obtaining the right-of-way for passenger trains to operate to convincing a highly skeptical Legislature to back rail travel.

[EvergreenRailfan]

New article on Commuter Rail in Arizona posted on the Arizona Republic website.

Arizona leaders are toying with the idea of using the trains that carry freight to shuttle passengers in the future and alleviate street and highway traffic as the state's population grows to 16 million by 2050.

The idea is in its earliest stages. Community transportation leaders say labor union concerns could hijack the idea and that such a plan would require cooperation from a host of agencies and private companies.

"Heavy rail takes planning and it would require preserving the right of way now, working with Union Pacific now and working with the kinds of facilities (roads and businesses) that would come in the future," Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman said.




Hallman is among Southeast Valley leaders pushing for commuter rail, sometimes called heavy rail. They said they believe the idea is a better alternative than widening Interstate 10 through Tempe, Ahwatukee and other parts of Phoenix.

"It's a cost-effective alternative to building another dozen lanes of freeway," Hallman said of a plan to double the number of lanes along Interstate 10 to 24.

"This is an extraordinarily large facility. And if we're trying to jam another 400,000 people through the Broadway Curve, the only way to do that is with heavy rail."