News-Miner Editorial
All aboard
Southern bypass railroad route needs a fresh look
Published Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Digg
del.icio.us
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!When the Alaska Railroad shifted federal funding from a rerouting of track on Fort Wainwright to an extension bridge to training areas across the Tanana River (and perhaps beyond, someday), the conversation changed about the railroad placement in Fairbanks.
If the railroad built track around the north and east sides of the base, it was argued, then any incentive to realign the track around to the south side would be lost. A group of concerned volunteers, calling themselves The Railroad Safety and Development Group, fought vigorously against the base realignment idea and apparently prevailed.
In the past few weeks, we have printed columns from that group and from Pat Gamble, the railroad’s president and chief executive officer. The common thread in those columns was the so-called southern bypass route — although from slightly different angles.
The bottom line, though, is that now that the base realignment is off the table, it’s time to get behind, at the very least, taking a very hard look at making the southern bypass route a reality.
With scant attention focused on the southern route for some time, the public has been working with estimated numbers and guesses at exact routes. Now it’s time to take a harder look and put some money where we believe the best interest of our community lies.
The mayors of Fairbanks and the Fairbanks North Star Borough are in the early stages of finding funding and planning to move forward with an Environmental Impact Statement focusing on the southern route. By all means, let’s lend them community support.
The number of at-grade railroad crossings needs to be reduced in Fairbanks. The commercial and residential traffic is increasing in the Old Steese and Trainor Gate area and the room for train traffic is shrinking.
The southern route is viable, as far as we know, for now, but there are numerous questions about cost, exactly what path defines the route, what the change would mean for businesses and residences near that route and what environmental challenges the route presents. An EIS process focusing on a southern route would engage the public and provide answers for many of those concerns.
Gamble said this step would put us within reach of finally assessing “the doability” of this stretch of track. Bob Thomas, of the residents group, said local governments need to take the reins and push this project forward.
Good, then, let’s keep track of efforts to come from Mayor Terry Strle and Mayor Jim Whitaker, jump on board, and get this train rolling.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Hey News Miner
You ain't heard nothing yet until Mayors, Bob Thomas etc. try to force railroad traffic into other neighborhoods and businesses using the "southern bypass" route. What a misnomer, "bypass" is. It is simply taking a problem out of one part of town and trasferring it to another. There is no "bypass" involved!! Nuff said.
I know I would sure like to know where the so-called Southern Bypass route will be. After having built, and upgraded my house, at a hefty price, I'm very sure if it comes close to me that the resell value will go down the toilet. I hope all my neighbors are following this story, they have even more at stake than I do, as do the new business people that have just built on the south side. I do hope they choose wisely, or agree to buy my house while they are funding this route. Geeze, it seems like it always something going on in this town. Since it is state money we are talking about, why don't we use this money and help with other things first, such as energy issue's, while our state gov. try's to come up with a plan. I would like to know the cost diffence between re-routing the entire railroad, agains building under-passes at College Road, Old Steese, and the new Steese. These are the major roads I'm sure they are trying to get traffic relief on? As alway, this is just my view on this subject and I'm sure others will disagree.
Yes, 'great job' Mayors! You've successfully 'derailed' Alaska Railroad and Ft. Wainwright officials' plans for improvements which were approved and funded. Sure that effort was for the greater good - OUR greater good, not theirs. You in fact did a tremendous disservice to Ft. Wainwright by effectively introducing a poison pill into their plans. You just wanted to get your hands on some of 'their' funding - which by the way, was enough to do their improvements but not even enough to do the study and impact statements on a southern bypass route. And now you're taking credit for making progress on a realignment plan. Sometimes the ends do not justify the means, and this is one of those cases. Shame on you.
Well lets see some plans. I'm sure there will be a lot of thought going into this idea and as always there will be public meetings. I'm sure they are trying to avoid residential areas to avoid waking people at 2 am regardless of the value of their homes.
Information on the "Southern By-pass" is readily available at open meetings every Monday at 1 p. m. Bartos's Realty (Gold Rush Realty) office on Gillam south of Airport Way. Attend and voice your concerns. Nuff said.
Second blog. I understand your concern on your house value. Same invitation.
Third blog. The FWW project did nothing positive for the Army, would increase amount and speed of traffic on the Post, interfere with new military housing projects and destroy the FWW golf course. Nuff said.
Third blog. Yes, a complete Environmental Impact Statement is being requested by the supporters of the needed reroute. Your are also invited to the meetings.
I tried to verify post, and not be anon. Don Callahan
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.