Texas Rail Advocates

Establish a Rail Division within the
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

During the last century we have seen significant changes in the transportation infrastructure of Texas. As we enter a new century, leadership in new directions of planning and development is necessary.

A rail division will give TxDot a new and better understanding of the increasingly critical role of railroads in the 21st century. Ever rising fuel costs, greater demands for mobility and an all-important understanding of transportation's impact on our natural environment effect every decision.

Increasing numbers of states are coming to realize that past omissions in transportation development have been costly to their wellbeing. They are now moving forward with planning in which rail is a leading component.

Absent in the past in Texas transportation planning was the realization that railroads are capable of moving large amounts of freight and great numbers of passengers with a minimum impact on the environment and at greatly reduced cost.

There is a growing challenge to move both freight and passengers efficiently and economically at higher speeds between urban areas. Rail is the primary mode to meet this challenge with the least negative environmental impact.

A rail division will facilitate the partnering between the state of Texas and railroads for capacity expansion and development: integration of both freight and passenger operations, intermodal freight yards and passenger terminals. Rail is the critical link in successful intermodal transportation systems. Staffing a division with experts knowledgeable of technological advancements will insure the realization of all of the benefits of rail.

A rail division will coordinate various railroad projects and serve as a liaison to the U.S. Department of Transportation. In so doing the rail division will make a difference for all Texans by understanding and advocating the efficiency of rail transportation for both freight and passengers.

Texas Rail Advocates urges the establishment of a rail division at TxDOT to insure that the orderly growth and development of transportation infrastructure in Texas incorporates the advantages of rail for future ease and economy of mobility as well as environmental integrity.

em in Forth Worth. From there, the rail line would tie into the TTC-35 where it exits the Metroplex and head south to the Texas-Mexico border.

“Much like our highway system is congested due to a 57 percent jump in the state’s population during the last 25 years, our rail system is congested as well,” said Ric Williamson, chair of the Texas Transportation Commission. “We must enhance the role rail plays in moving goods in Texas. The more freight we can get off our highways and onto rail, the better we can reduce congestion and improve safety.”

Other benefits of the new rail include reduced congestion on roadways frequently blocked by long trains at rail crossings, safer transport of hazardous materials, and expanded economic opportunities when businesses have a faster, more efficient way to ship goods.

In addition, relocating freight rail away from existing rail lines in urban areas will make space for higher-speed commuter rail, which would provide citizens more transportation options and reduce congestion on local roads and highways.

“This confirms Governor Perry’s vision that once our mobility challenges were open to innovation, the market would respond,” added Williamson.

On March 18, 2005, in San Antonio, Gov. Perry signed an agreement with Union Pacific to work together to move freight lines out of densely populated urban areas. In Fort Worth the following day, a similar agreement was signed with Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Cintra Zachry’s letter says the new railway would be routed so Class 1 freight railroads operating within the major urban areas along TTC-35, such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Marcos and San Antonio, are provided “a new ‘state-of-the-art’ rail infrastructure for the movement of goods.”

Private financing — based on revenue generated from railroad operators and shippers using the new rail line — would be the focus of Cintra Zachry’s funding plan to pay for the rail. Other sources that could be considered include the Rail Relocation Fund approved by Texas voters in November 2005 as well as other federal and state financial tools.

Ted Houghton, a member of the Texas Transportation Commission, said the new rail line would help TxDOT accomplish its goals “to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality, and increase the value of our transportation assets.”

“This fits our strategy to tap into private-sector resources and innovation to plan and develop a transportation system that moves Texas forward,” said Houghton.