Which way to go?
(Map courtesy ODOT)
Next week, ODOT is holding a community meeting in Lake Oswego, to bounce the idea off the residents there. Unsurprisingly, the idea isn't receiving a warm reception--community activists are already lining up to oppose the idea, and citing all manner of NIMBY reasons for not wanting the line. (The line would not stop in Lake Oswego, merely pass through--it would have a stop in Tualatin). In addition, the Association of Oregon Rail Transit Advocates (AORTA), is opposed to using the OE line.
One other ideas which have been floated but not subject to serious study, a new HSR route running along (or in the median of) Interstate 5. One idea I've proposed (but it's just an idea, so don't take it too seriously at this point), would be a connection between Hubbard and Wilsonville roughly along OR551, allowing trains to use the more mature UPRR line in through the Willamette Valley, where the route is unconstrained, and the switch to the OE/LO route in the Portland area, avoiding the Oregon City bottleneck.
Details, details
(Image courtesy ODOT)
Both lines would need extensive work to support HSR (and the HSR being discussed is pretty slow compared to what is commonly found in Europe and Asia--but I suppose crawling needs to come before walking). Both lines are mostly single-tracked with sidings; and the UPRR line (currently FRA Class 4 for much of its length) runs into some serious geographical constraints in the Canby-Oregon City area, where it is sandwiched between the Willamette River, OR99E, and the bluffs overlooking the river. The OE line has generally FRA classes 1-3, and passes through some residential neighborhoods which would require bypassing in any case. In addition, a new connection between the OE line and the Newberg branch in Tualatin would be required, as no connection can be presently made between the two lines without a switchback.
That said, the aforementioned 2009 ODOT study has attracted plenty of criticism from AORTA, suggesting that its cost estimates are groundless--noting in particular that many of the improvements to the UPRR mainline included in the estimate, UP will have to perform (and presumably pay for anyway). I'm a bit perplexed at the harshness of the criticism from AORTA on this subject, to be honest. On the other hand, I have a bit of a hunch that the OE proposal may be a negotiating ploy with Union Pacific, as the UP has a well-deserved reputation for playing hardball in discussions such as these.
Final thoughts
One important prerequisite, though, has already occurred (though it hasn't yet taken effect). In 2008, Congress passed the Railway Safety Enhancement Act of 2008, which mandates positive train control on the vast majority of the US rail network--when this is done, many of the onerous FRA buff strength restrictions (essentially requiring trains running on the freight network be built like tanks) will be scaled back--making passenger rail service (which pays a steep gas-mileage penalty due to the current regulations) more efficient. The new requirements don't take place until 2015, but HSR in Oregon won't be in place until well after that.
(Image courtesy Wikipedia)
Scotty,
ReplyDeleteThe route through Lake Oswego has been encroached upon too badly to run frequent service that way. It would certainly be a good thing to have a stop in Tualatin or Wilsonville because of the access from the westside by WES, but I expect we're stuck with the UP as far as north Keizer. South of there the OE might be a better choice.
The UP will have to be double tracked from Milwaukie to Keizer the handle the load.
@Anandakos,
ReplyDeleteThe same argument applies in Oregon City, though even moreso, given geographic limitations. Check out this map on Google, showing where the UPRR mainline passes through downtown OC. Immediately south of the tracks is a cliff. The geography gets worse further downriver; as the tracks are literally sandwiched between the Willamette River and OR99E, and on the other side of OR99E is the same cliff.
Unfortunately, Lake Oswego and Oregon City are the only two places where waterways penetrate the Tualatin Mountains; the geography of the area makes other routes difficult. (There was once an electric railroad climbing the hill along the current route of Oregon 213, and going as far south as Mount Angel; but that line was abandoned decades ago.)
Oh yes. I do understand the problem with the UP just south of downtown OC. I worked for a year at Supra in Salem and once a week my return commute landed me in Washougal for Español. Since I-5 to downtown was always a mess at 5:45 when I had to pass through Wilsonville in order to make it to class, I started cutting over at Aurora and caught I-205 at Oregon City. It wasn't usually any faster but a whole lot less stressful.
ReplyDeleteI've seen 99E first-hand and it's tight in there. It may be that the highway will have to be double decked for a few hundred feet at the narrowest part in order to accommodate a double tracked UP.
But believe me, the old industrial buildings of South Oregon City have much less clout with the state legislature and Congress than do the good burghers of Lake Oswego. If they don't want the train, it will not pass through their community.
In all honesty, I think they have a good point: there are several grade crossings along the lake which are frequented by lake goers, including pre-teens. It would not do for the HSR to flatten a couple of kids.