The Phoenix Metro area hasn’t had passenger rail service since rails washed out in the 1990’s.
The new CEO of Amtrak published the Amtrak 2021 Corridor Vision in May of 2021. Now it is time to read, discuss and prepare to provide your input on the plan.
While passenger rail service provides visions of easy commutes to and from the Tucson area and leisurely travel, there are questions to be asked and ramifications to discuss.
Cities, towns and counties are looking at this project in terms of economic development, but maybe we should ask some other questions so our transportation and economic development budgets and dreams are fulfilled in harmony?
Some questions to start you thinking:
- Amtrak is proposing 3 trips a day down the same rails used by Union Pacific for cargo. Will there be freight back ups?
- Are there plans to expand the rail lines in Arizona so that freight and people can move simultaneously?
- What’s the cost to expand the rails and what are the lost economic opportunities if we do not expand those rails?
- Cities and towns are already planning to woo Amtrak to their locations. What are the costs to the cities or towns, Amtrak and how much money do we need from state and federal transportation sources?
- How does Amtrak integrate with freeways, highways, air, and light rail in the larger regional transportation plan?
These are a few of the questions to be considered during the process of planning. You travel and so do your clients. If you are in commercial or agricultural real estate, you may have clients who are directly affected negatively or positively by the proposed passenger service.
Read the plan, attend the Feb. 8th GAD Lunch & Learn with Amtrak (in person or via zoom), and provide your input, questions and concerns to our conversation.
Read the Amtrak Fact Sheet
Read the Amtrak 2021 Corridor Vision Plan