This year's Texas Transportation Summit gave Texas Rail Advocates an opportunity to make some important contacts in both government and industry areas.

Wednesday mornings Freight Rail Panel began with a presentation by Dick Schiefelbein of Woodharbor Associates. He spoke on interaction between railroads and the communities that they serve. Examples like the Alameda Corridor in southern California, Shellpot bridge in Wilmington, Deleware and the North Carolina Railroad were cited.

The Alameda Corridor project eliminated 100 grade crossings by depressing the rail line. Traffic flow has been improved significantly and the area neighboring the route has been improved. Now many container trains each day travel from downtown L.A. to the ports of L.A. and Long Beach with minimal impact. The concept of public/private partnerships is working!

In his presentation on improving rail traffic flow in Chicago D.J. Mitchell Vice President of BNSF elaborated on the theme of "Keep Chicago Fluid". The railroads will invest at least $15 billion as their part of a project to eliminate at least 25 highway grade crossings. Some rail interchanges will also be eliminated. Grade separations will benefit freight, commuter and long distance passenger trains.

Dr. Steve Roop of the Texas Transportation Institute addressed the issue of reduced truck traffic through public/private partnerships. He mentioned short haul service between Dallas and Houston a distance of 250 miles. Trucking rates will determine if such a service, tried unsuccessfully in the '80s, could be done successfully today with obstacles like windows of time (can't leave Dallas/Ft. Worth until midnight). The social benefits of rail/truck partnerships include reduced air pollution, reduced noise pollution and less highway congestion. A successful short distance piggyback service is operated between Detroit and Montreal. In Europe some piggy back service carries both tractor and trailer. Would the railroads consider this arrangement in North America? Switzerland and neighboring countries are the primary markets for this service.

Joe Adams, with Union Pacific, spoke about his work to help the railroad and communities work together for future commuter rail service. One such route is from Houston to College Station with intermediate stops at Navasota and Hempstead. There is also the new light rail line going south out of downtown and its ultimate link with Union Pacific and bedroom communities to the South. Can the railroad and it neighbors agree on time windows without unduly interfering with freight train schedules?

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst was the featured speaker at Wednesday's lunch. Ron Davies and Paul were able to get a few words in with the Lt. Governor. He was given a copy of the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor information page.

Wednesday afternoon's two panels on high speed rail were well attended. Speakers included Tyrone Bland, Director of Amtrak's Governmental Affairs (West); Lonnie Blades, independent consultant; Carroll G. Robinson, Houston City Council member at large; and Daniel T. Kerr. After clarifying what each speaker meant by "high speed " rail a discussion was had about Amtrak's current "high speed" service "higher speed" service (90-110) planned for the midwest regional rail Chicago -St. Louis line and European style high speed rail. It was generally agreed that European style service (150-200mph) was a long way off-anywhere in this country. Higher speed freight and passenger rail is what is most likely to come next in Texas and its neighboring states.

The Tex-21 general session took place Wednesday morning. Panel members included Senator Florence Shapio, Representative Mike Krusee and special guest, Representative John Mica from Florida. Representative Mica serves on the U.S. House aviation subcommittee bet has an interest in seeing high speed rail developed in 250-500 mile corridors as well as being linked with air ports.Ron Davies and Paul had a chance to meet Representative Mica briefly after his presentation and discuss high speed rail nationally as well as in the South Central Corridor setting.

Thursday's lunch began with an address by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. In the course of her talk she elaborated on AREA (American Rail Equity Act). It not only will help intercity passenger rail BUT also provide $48 billion for rail infrastructure development! TRA has sent a formal "Thank You" card to the senator for this legislation. Members of the Texas congressional delegation at the lunch included: Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Lee Jackson, Martin Frost, Charles Stenholm, Chris Bell, Nick Lampson and Michael Burgess. State Senator Steve Ogden of Houston was the featured speaker. He gave the audience an update on the work which the Infrastructure and Home Land Security Committee addressed during the recent general session of the legislature.

Ron and Paul were able to introduce themselves to Senator Ogden after the lunch. Paul gave him the Corridor fact sheet and will follow up with a letter in early September. Just prior to Thursdays lunch John and Paul were able to meet briefly with Representative Mike Krusee, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. He and his committee will also receive a letter from TRA in September. Because the post lunch speakers comments ran over until 2:55pm. Ron Davies HSR presentation was rescheduled for 5:40pm. The expected audience of 200 didn't materialize. Instead 40 people heard Ron challenge Texas to lead the way with a high speed rail demonstration project. He stressed that high speed rail is a new transportation technology. After the talk, Paul met Al Notzon, executive director of the Alamo Area Council of Governments. He will be a key contact in corridor developments in San Antonio.

After Friday's lunch at which Texas Transportation Commission Chairman, John Johnson spoke, John Radovich and Paul had an opportunity to reestablish contact with him. The met him in Houston two years ago. (Peter LeCody's comments go here).

This year's Texas Transportation Summit gave TRA an opportunity to make more good contacts. The organization will do everything possible to develop these contacts. Peter LeCody was a great addition to the TRA delegation. He composed a fine resolution of support that is being sent to Chambers, Mayors and County Judges along the corridor.