Based on an interview with Sam Morse
August 18th saw the release of the Interim Progress Report of the Joint Legislative Committee on Rail Transportation. Kimley-Horn & Associates made the presentation at the House Office Building, in association with Gannett Fleming Inc., LTK Engineering Services, and NuStats, Inc.
This interim report provides the findings as to the existing conditions on the rail lines to be used, including the branches from Nogales and Benson to Tucson; from Phoenix to Wickenburg and Flagstaff; and from Phoenix to Yuma.
Of the trackage on the proposed system, all received a FAIR rating except the Tempe-Ahwatukee segment which would probably require complete rebuilding. It was thus suggested that the Ahwatukee branch be phased in at a later date. The best conditions were on the SP mainline from Casa Grande to Tucson, though this segment would require the most coordination, as it currently sees around 40 freight trains daily.
Ridership surveys indicated especially strong interest in the Tucson to Nogales market. Telephone surveys were taken in the Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales, and several other metro areas.
As for costs, the metro areas would require about $4 to $5 million per mile, including equipment, signaling, rail, and other upgrades; rural miles (such as between Phoenix and Tucson) would run about $1 to $2 million per mile. However, not all of these expenses would be required for system startup. Basically, an increased level of improvements results in faster trip times and increased rider comfort.
If the system costs about the same to use as auto travel, the consultants indicated approximately a 40% ridership level. Naturally, if the system is more expensive or significantly slower than highway driving, this figure would be lower.
The next area the consultants will address is cost/benefit ratios. Once these are determined, it will be possible to determine the priority segments and services to be developed.
A presentation was also given by Michael Ongerth, Vice President of Strategic Development (San Francisco). He discussed Southern Pacific’s position of support for this project. SP is quite willing to work with Arizona to develop a compatible relationship.
Mr. Ongerth also examined several factors critical to the success of this project:
- Safety
- Liability (insurance etc.)
- Reliability
- Speed
- Capital Formula.
The latter involves making assurances that once a plan is developed, sufficient resources (e.g., monetary and other assets) are available for its implementation.
