All aboard for centennial February 11th, 2007
Arizona Republic, 11 February 2007, Editorial
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.
Napolitano has asked the Arizona Department of Transportation to lay out several options, including a passenger rail line to connect Phoenix and Tucson by Feb. 14, 2012, the state’s 100th birthday.
