Update on TRA Activities

The opening of the Alameda Corridor between the parts of Los Angels / Long Beach and L.A. in April is significant, not only because 200 grade crossing were eliminated and running time reduced from 2 hours to 45 minutes, but also because it represents a new public private partnership that could be an example of how new rail expansion and improvement projects across the country could be structured.

In the activities of Texas Rail Advocates June 20, 2002 will stand as a significant date. It marks the formal introduction of a proposal for a rail division at TEX DOT (before the Senator State Affairs Committee). The proposal was made by TRA’s Paul Mangelsdorf. John Radovich, Addressed various Amtrak related issues at the same hearing. Joining John and Paul on the rail panel were Bill Barton of Texas Association of Railroad and Wendell Cox, who claimed that more passenger trains would make a first class freight rail system unlikely.

On Earth day, TRA was recognized at the Flag Pole Hill celebration. The website handout was received as an opportunity to become a part of TRA.

Paul Mangelsdorf again was presented at the National Corridor conference in Washington on May 13th and 14th. During the conference Gilbert E. Carmichael, Chairman of the Amtrak Reforms Council, spoke one the work of the council to give Amtrak a new division and the importance of rail passenger service (regional and national) in the nations future. His speech is on the website.

Paul also used the Washington trip as an opportunity to establish contacts with aids to representatives Martin Frost and Max Sandlin. While in the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Paul met Joe Mondello, legislative administrator for the senator.

The other important event was a meeting with David Laney, President Bush’s to the Amtrak board. It proved very beneficial for TRA principals Dave Dunnigan, Mike Maskner, John Radovich, and Paul Mangelsdorf. Mr. Laney was appreciative of the information on the different aspects of rail that the meeting offered him. These are opportunities for him and TRA to work together on issues from Amtrak high speed rail freight and passenger rail to establish a greater rail presence in the State Transportation Department.

Looking forward into the late summer, TRA will have two members on the high speed rail panel at the annual Texas Transportation Summit. TRA advisory board member, Ronald Davies, Curator of the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution, will address the Summit on The Future of Aviation and High Speed Rail. Other meetings with David Laney will be scheduled and a plan will be formulated to organize a 4 state coalition of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, to address key aspects of rail in the overall transportation picture of the region.