(The following editorial appeared on the Waco Tribune website on March 25, 2009.)
WACO, Texas — When it comes to rail traffic, Waco definitely gets the short end of the stick — the long, striped stick that stops traffic.
At one time, Waco had the Interurban. Now all it has is the Interruption.
All those interruptions, 20 a day, come with freight rail through town. But Waco has no passenger rail. Amtrak is routed through McGregor, even though Waco has an ideal multipurpose depot at Eighth Street.
Yes, the Interurban is a thing of the past. But with Interstate 35 increasingly clogged, and with the federal government showing new interest in passenger and high-speed rail, now is the time to start talking up Waco’s passenger-rail future.
It’s also time to do something about disruptive rail crossings.
Waco shouldn’t be waiting for the Texas Legislature to do something. But action by lawmakers in one fundamental way would be a big step in changing everything.
Voters in 2005 approved a constitutional amendment creating a fund to relocate freight rail out of urban areas. Four years later, the fund has no money authorized.
A bill by Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, would fund such projects at $200 million a year. Lawmakers who let this idea sit on the shelf for two more years are seriously disserving constituents who backed this initiative.
The need for rail relocation has several dimensions. One is to speed up freight that has to slow down through urban areas. Another is to bring freight through areas that are more strategic for shippers, such as the Texas Central Industrial Park.
Another important benefit of rail relocation would be to use the current line that goes through downtown for high-speed or passenger traffic.
The federal stimulus plan recently approved by Congress includes $33 billion over five years to construct high-speed rail. Amtrak received $1.3 billion after operating on fumes.
So many pieces would have to fall into place for an Amtrak stop in downtown Waco that city officials discount the likelihood. But one piece would be for Union Pacific to be routed around the city — the whole purpose of rail relocation.
As for high-speed rail, Waco always has been seen as a key component in the concept of a wishbone connecting Houston, San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth.
Waco needs to take a cue from Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco. He’s in a group of legislators encouraging the nonprofit Texas High-Speed Rail and Transportation Corp., which hopes to forge a public-private partnership. Waco is not a member. It needs to be.
The first step toward changing the dynamics of rail traffic in Texas is funding the rail relocation work that voters authorized.