Fresno's Proposed Rail Consolidation and High Speed Rail

More than 60 trains each day result from having two major rail lines, the Union Pacific (UPRR) and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF), bisect Fresno from north to south. Traffic congestion is one consequence of the long freight trains; noise from the moving trains added to their constant horns penetrates neighborhoods near the tracks twenty four hours a day. Of more concern, however, is the danger of a train derailment spilling its contents into nearby homes and businesses.

A BNSF train derailment in 1999 (fortunately no one was killed or injured as wine sloshed out of broken tanker cars) led to the formation of a citizens group, Fresno Citizens for Rail Consolidation (FARC), to press for the two rail lines to consolidate into one (the BNSF to join the Union Pacific on the less densely populated west side) as they passed through Fresno. North of the San Joaquin River south of Calwa the single rail line would again split into two separate tracks.

As a new City of Fresno council member in 2001, I strongly supported FARC's rail consolidation position. The City Council and Mayor Autry signed on the consolidation concept, studies were made, the railroads were in agreement (as long as they didn't have to pay for it), and the plan became part of the City's master transportation plan.

Other events soon added to the railroad consolidation issue. California had been seriously considering for some time to develop a high speed rail (HSR) bullet train from San Francisco, through the San Joaquin Valley, to Los Angeles and eventually to San Diego. Fresno supported HSR and formally designated downtown Fresno along the Union Pacific tracks as the proposed passenger depot. Fresno also applied to the State of California to be designated as home to the large maintenance facility that would be required for the state-wide HSR operation.

The successful approval by Fresno County voters in 2004 of Transportation Measure C included 15 million dollars for rail consolidation. Spending approval, however, was tempered by a deadline a few years hence that would require rail consolidation to begin. If not, the funds would be used for grade separation (roadways under the tracks such as at Shaw/Marks) or elevated roadways over the tracks such as near Herndon and Brawley.

An exciting new development that will further accelerate the development of HSR is the billions of dollars set aside in the $780 billion dollar stimulus funds for just that purpose. California will certainly get a proportionate share of those funds for HSR.

But like most things in life, Fresno's embrace of rail consolidation and HSR rail is far from making it actually happen. Significant concerns, for example, have been raised about the physical possibility of aligning three sets of tracks along the Union Pacific corridor to accommodate the UPRR, BNSF and HSR bullet trains. Also, would the tracks need to be placed below grade level to reduce noise and allow automobiles and other traffic to pass overhead? And if so, what would be the cost?

Many questions regarding rail consolidation and HSR still require answers. The opportunity exists, however, for a major restructuring of Fresno's transportation system and for Fresno to assume a prominent place on California's map of strategic cities. Downtown's future will certainly be shaped by what does or does not happen.

I strongly encourage you to be become informed and participate in the rail consolidation and HSR planning process. Contact Mayor Swearengin's office, your city council member, your county supervisor and/or and the Fresno Council of Governments to be notified of public hearings.

On a personal note, I routinely ride Amtrak, and I love the recently remodeled Santa Fe Depot on the BNSF tracks. I would, however, switch my rail travel in a heartbeat to the new HSR train station downtown, particularly one that also accommodates rail consolidation.

Coming Soon. . .

1) A restaurant in Woodward Park.
2) Chugging along with Fresno's proposed Bus Rapid Transit System.

Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail me at abriancalhoun@gmail.com.