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Reallocation of funds to allow North Carolina to complete passenger train projects
@Jeffery The grade separation project was mainly to allow easier access for passenger trains to reach a new Amtrak station in Charlotte. ADM operates their largest mill adjacent to this junction and demanded much more money than expected to compensate for the construction which would have literally been 20 feet from their plant. Also, all projects this money funds must be complete by 2017, this project if broken ground today would be finished in 2018. This junction will see up to 12 Amtrak trains and 24 commuter trains per day by 2025, the project was meant to prepare for this new passenger project.
Another prime example of government picking winners and losers. The taxpayer money earmarked for decreasing congestion of freight trains gets redirected into Amtrak, where it is promptly wasted on a new station. How much lunatic four wheeler congestion on I-85 will an additional Amtrak train clean up? About 15 seconds worth. And the fifth train? Another 15 seconds worth. But look! That is half a minute’s worth of congestion! Repeat this 118 more times and an hour’s worth will be cleared off I-85. Now that’s progressivism!
As a Floridian suffering from Governor Scott, may I just pass on the message, from us in Florida to you in North Carolina: You’re welcome.
Apparently Scott Walker doesn’t see the light and the governor of North Carolina is a republican. Obviously, Gov. Walker has his head where the sun doesn’t shine.
What would be nice if the North Carolina rail service was extended down the I-85 corridor to Atlanta and Birmingham. One should think of this as a good start. If their was an effective alternate to I-85 it would not be as much of a mess. I remember driving I-85 before they widened a big chunk of it to 3 lanes in South Carolina. The only thing the extra lanes did was more traffic on them (remember if you build it people will use) . Now if you want a waste of money how about the I-185 toll bypass in Greeneville, SC.
It is interesting to note that the gentleman from Illinois, an expert on so many issues, understands the transportation issues in North Carolina. I would have expected nothing less. In fact the NC DOT, has done an excellent job of planning and program development for over a generation, gdowing rail service steadily in close cooperation with CSX and NS, in a fiscally prudent manner. Another rant ia way off base. FYI, I lived in NC from 1977 until 2012.
Paul, you have it much better in Florida when it comes to passenger trains than we do in Ohio.In addition to Amtrak, you have on commuter rail system in Miami and one on the way in Orlando yet here in OHio, we don’t have a commuter rail system in the whole state. It seems that as wrong as your governor was for rejecting federal money for the HSR project in youyr state, I’ve seen where he still has supported Sunrail yet our warpt governor won’t support squat.
I don’t know how much the station improvement project is needed in Raleigh, so I won’t address that point. Most likely the extra train service to be operated between Raleigh and Charlotte may be a good thing for passengers that I suspect in many cases may be business people. When you can remove vehicles from the highway, that’s usually a good thing in my opinion.
What’s missing in Western, NC, is train service to Asheville, where I live. We have not had Amtrak services in this area since sometime back in the 1990’s. Not only would a new Amtrak service be good to have for commuters between Asheville and Raleigh, it would be great for a connection to the Silver Start traveling to Washington up to New York City, plus in reverse down to Florida. Many people including me and mine would ride an Asheville to Raleigh train if it was available, especially with a connection to the Amtrak Silver Star.
NS has a good scenic line between Raleigh and Asheville, so track would not be a problem. There is much less coal traffic on this route these days since the reduction of using coal fired power plants.
I don’t know how much the station improvement project is needed in Raleigh, so I won’t address that point. Most likely the extra train service to be operated between Raleigh and Charlotte may be a good thing for passengers that I suspect in many cases may be business people. When you can remove vehicles from the highway, that’s usually a good thing in my opinion.
What’s missing in Western, NC, is train service to Asheville, where I live. We have not had Amtrak services in this area since sometime back in the 1990’s. Not only would a new Amtrak service be good to have for commuters between Asheville and Raleigh, it would be great for a connection to the Silver Start traveling to Washington up to New York City, plus in reverse down to Florida. Many people including me and mine would ride an Asheville to Raleigh train if it was available, especially with a connection to the Amtrak Silver Star.
NS has a good scenic line between Raleigh and Asheville, so track would not be a problem. There is much less coal traffic on this route these days since the reduction of using coal fired power plants.
The current Raleigh station (former Southern Rwy) has been overwhelmed by passenger traffic since the early '90’s. The station has been expanded as much as practical by Amtrak. The new Raleigh station is greatly needed, particularly as the ridership throughout the state is growing with the additional frequencies coming on line. It is unfortunate to see the NS/CSX grade separation get shelved. That will have to come to pass someday. The current improvements funded will provide safer passage and fast speeds for freight & passenger trains. Western NC is certainly needed along with connections WNW to Roanoke, Cinci, Chicago. It’s a shame for all those beautifully restored stations to sit idle waiting for the next train. Hopefully the voters (excepting the Guse) will elect more foresighted and progressive surface transportation leaders.
In response to comments by Mr. Michael B. Robbins of Florida:
“What’s missing in Western, NC, is train service to Asheville, where I live. We have not had Amtrak services in this area since sometime back in the 1990’s”
AMTRAK has NEVER provided service to Asheville, NC. The last regularly operated passenger service to / from Asheville was provided by Southern Railway’s Asheville Special which ended in August 1975.
“Not only would a new Amtrak service be good to have for commuters between Asheville and Raleigh,…”
It is over 250 miles between Asheville and Raleigh. Hardly what would be considered ‘commuter’ territory.
"NS has a good scenic line between Raleigh and Asheville, so track would not be a problem. "
This line is all single track, automatic block signal, track warrant controlled territory. Maxium speed 50 MPH but actually much lower than that due to curves and grades. Here is a North Carolina DOT report from April 2002 showing a minimum of $134.7 million just for infrastructure improvements to the track.
http://www.bytrain.org/future/pdf/wncserupdate.pdf
See this one also from March 2001: