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Article published Jun 18, 2004
High-speed trains would put Spartanburg at center of growth
potential
The development of high-speed passenger train
service is important to the nation's mobility and economic growth, and while a
recent study points to problems with Upstate tracks, it's too early to throw in
the towel.The study by Georgia Rail Consultants suggests that there are too many
curves in tracks throughout the proposed Southeast high-speed rail corridor
stretching from Charlotte, N.C., to Macon, Ga., with stops in Spartanburg and
Greenville.Significant improvements would have to be made in order for
high-speed rail service to reach its maximum potential in the Upstate. Solving
the problem of curvy tracks would be costly and would include purchasing
additional rights of way to straighten tracks.It would take money the federal
government hasn't been willing to give and money the states don't have. Still,
this nation should envision a far-reaching rail system much like the high-speed
service between Washington and New York City.Federal agencies have identified 11
potential high-speed rail corridors across the country, but budgets suggest a
preference to slow development of rail service rather than to grow
operations.Failing now to recognize the importance of high-speed rail service to
this nation's future would be a mistake too costly to correct when tracks are in
greater disrepair or even abandoned.High-speed trains would produce needed
benefits for the Upstate. They would ease highway congestion and give mobility
to people in rural areas and those who refuse to travel by plane. And they would
putSpartanburg at the center of economic growth potential between Charlotte and
Atlanta.In any decisions made about rail service, Congress and state
legislatures should look at what high-speed rail service can provide this nation
and work to move plans from paper to product.We won't get from where we are now
with rail service that has come dangerously close to shutting down in recent
years to 110-mph train service overnight, but planning must be accelerated for
what is likely to be an essential transportation service in our future.