February 05, 2009 01:40 AM UTC

A future for high-speed passenger rail in Colorado?

• 2 Comments
• by: NeonNurse

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!