Transportation Issues in the South - Second Quarter 2001

$300K Requested for Study of Fast Rail From Birmingham to Atlanta

The Southern Rapid Rail Transit Commission is requesting $300,000 from Congress for a feasibility study for high-speed rail along a mostly-abandoned CSX rail line between Birmingham and Atlanta. But there are many complexities concerning the proposed project. Alabama Rail Commission Chairman Bill McFarland said that a proposed Birmingham-to-New Orleans route would be much more affordable and attainable for high-speed rail, and that even if the Birmingham-Atlanta route were approved, it would affect the state's first extensive rails-to-trails project, the Chief Ladiga Trail, which is an existing network of bike and hiking trails built on CSX railbed in Piedmont, Alabama. McFarland doesn't think it would be easy to reclaim this railbed for a high-speed rail line. And, although McFarland doesn't think the Birmingham population would be as excited about being connected to New Orleans rather than Atlanta, he cites the existing track between the two cities as a major factor for choosing the route. An Alabama DOT's 1994 study concerning restoring the route between Atlanta and Birmingham estimated a cost of more than $1 billion, whereas about $25 million has been estimated for the Birmingham-New Orleans route.

Port's Auto Traffic Increases 15 Percent

The Jacksonville Port has seen an almost 15 percent increase this year in the number of automobilies coming through. If the growth rate continues, Jacksonville will be the nation's most active auto-handling port, ahead of New York/New Jersey by September 30. The port of New York/New Jersey handled 564,718 vehicles last year. The Jacksonville Port anticipates handling over 600,000 autos this year.

CSX Intermodal Expands in Savannah

Jacksonville-based CSX Intermodal, which currently handles about 70 percent of the rail container freight at the Port of Savannah, is expanding capacity at the port by 30 percent with the completion of the Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. CSXI provides service on six daily intermodal trains at the port, connecting the port with every major market in the U.S.

More Passengers Fly to BWI

During 1999 and 2000, Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) and Dulles were close competitors for the top spot as the region's busiest airport. Now, Dulles and Reagan National are competing for the number two spot behind BWI. In February, BWI continued to be the region's busiest airport with 1.45 million passengers--207,000 more than Dulles and 306,000 more than National. .

Research Triangle Park's Direct Flights to San Jose Aiding in Recruitment

Over the years, Research Triangle Park (RTP) has been a magnet for high tech companies, many of them recruited from Silicon Valley. Now the Triangle has another aid in recruiting more Silicon Valley companies to the area. Midway Airlines' two daily, non-stop flights to San Jose have been welcomed by California-based tech companies with offices in the Triangle. Midway's load factor from the two flights is about 70 percent, which is considered high for a flight that has just recently been provided. Californian companies also use the Triangle as an East Coast base of operations for European business via RDU International Airport's direct flight to London. The American Airlines London flight is heavily used by RTP companies, with an average load factor of about 75 percent.

Missourri's Bad Roads Cost Motorists Money

Missouri drivers pay $388 in extra costs per car each year because of bad roads. A study conducted by the Road Information Program found that Missouri drivers pay 74 percent more than the average American motorist, who pays $222 in extra fuel and repairs per vehicle per year. Nationwide, motorists pay $41.5 billion a year for extra fuel and repairs caused by poorly maintained roads. The nonprofit Road Information Program used federal highway statistics and based its calculation on frequency of highway travel, average vehicle operating expenses and federal cost data.

Converting Military Base for Civilian Airport Contentious Issue in Georgia

Cobb County officials have been considering converting the Dobbins Air Reserve Base into a secondary Atlanta airport. Some Atlantans think the idea is great, because the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport is so congested. But, the idea is not being received well with homeowners in Cobb County, who argue that added traffic and noise in their county would hurt property values. The issue is complicated by Delta Air Lines near monopoly at Hartsfield. Delta doesn't want the new airport. Some citizens claim that elected officials in the county should decide to back their voters well-being instead of taking campaign contributions from Delta.

Maryland General Assembly Agrees on Additional Funding for Mass Transit Project

To help fund the proposed $750 million mass transit initiative in Maryland, the Maryland General Assembly has agreed on a method. Governor Parris Glendening will approve legislation that will shift a larger portion of revenues generated from rental car taxes, uninsured motorist fees and "vanity" license plate fees to the transportation fund. The legislation addresses what state and business leaders have described as antiquated and inadequate methods to fund the state's proposed mass transit projects. The state is facing a gap of an estimated $27 billion over the next 20 years between the cost of the projects it needs and what it can afford, according to a report by the 1999 Commission on Transportation Investment.