This article was in today's local paper and I thought you would find it interesting.
Bob
Crescent CorridorA new era for railroads?
The Transportation Department predicts that demand for freight transportation in the United States will increase a whopping 92 percent over the next 25 years.
As much as we appreciate commerce, this estimate casts an ominous shadow over life in the Northern Valley. As congested as Interstate 81 is now, the mere thought of a 92 percent increase in freight traffic translates to even more trucks on a roadway barely able to accommodate the big rigs now.
Fortunately, a bipartisan bevy of state governors has a better idea. Why not take advantage of rail’s capability to move goods and raw materials efficiently, safely, and in a decidedly more environmentally friendly fashion.
Toward that end, these governors — Republicans Bob Riley of Alabama, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, and Bob McDonnell of Virginia, and Democrats Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania and Phil Bredesen of Tennessee — have formed a public-private partnership to undertake a project the likes of which have not been witnessed (at least in terms of freight transportation capacity) since the interstate highway system was developed in the mid-1950s.
The rail project they envision has been dubbed the Crescent Corridor, and it would run through 13 states from New Jersey as far south as Louisiana. Its economic and social benefits would be well-nigh incalculable — particularly for us in the Northern Valley obliged to live with the choked reality of I-81 day after day.
But, if raw statistics are desired for proper perspective, consider these, as provided by the five governors in a commentary published by The Washington Post last Friday:
* One train can haul as much freight as 300 trucks.
* Railways, which, on average, can move a ton of freight 457 miles on a gallon of fuel, are “at least three times more fuel-efficient than trucks.”
* If a mere 10 percent of freight currently hauled by trucks were moved to rail, more than a billion gallons of fuel would be saved annually.
The governors’ plan: To apply for $300 million in federal funds and leverage that sum against $140 million in state investments and $264 million pledged by Norfolk Southern Corp., whose trains operate in the 13 states of the corridor. The money would be used to enhance freight capacity along the Norfolk Southern system.
Granted, the idea of rail improvements has an evergreen tint, meaning it has been floated before — most recently in the past decade during negotiations for a proposed widening of I-81. But this current undertaking boasts a measure of promise not previously witnessed. From all indications, it sports a broad bipartisan cachet. And, from where we sit, the snarls and brambles related to rights of way would not impede progress, given Norfolk Southern’s enthusiasm for the venture. And, finally, the governors are not talking about road construction with its attendant expenditures and potential snafus, but rather rail enhancement.
It sounds like a promising initiative to us — and, we feel sure, to the myriad motorists compelled to slalom through the truck traffic on I-81.
Don't Ever Give Up
That's quite an undertaking. I hope it becomes reality and successful.
Will
Buy land sufficient to build a new interstate a few dozen miles away following the old interstate 81. Designate new road I-815 and be done with it.
The necessary parking for big trucks and new truck stops plus all the economic possibilities emerge.
They dont have to do it all in the Shenandoah either. They can skip west a hollar or two and run down that valley all the way down.
I-81 is one of the most strategic highways in the USA. Other roads are more important and vital, but nothing matches I-81 in it's ability to keep freight flowing between all points north and east of Knoxville and all points south and west of Arkansas.
There are other ways to get the stuff up and down the Shenandoah besides 81 but some drivers just dont have what it takes to get it done.
Last Chance Buy land sufficient to build a new interstate a few dozen miles away
Studies have been done on I-81 to ease the traffic and make it safer for years. One of the ideas was like your idea. Another was widening 81 but this will create a nightmare for existing businesses as well as making it very costly.
Instead of another interstate it is my understanding that is where the Crescent Line would be put and use exisiting I 81 right away where feasable.
There are a lot of hurdles to cross. Among them is the fact that Norfolk Southern will be a main beneficiary. Trucking and other railroads will be lobbying against it among others.
When the Interstate system was developed the government told land owners where the roads were going to be and they could like it or lump it. I don't think that would fly today.