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More trains, double tracks, higher speeds expected by
2014
Auburn could see more trains and those with much higher speeds if the federal government's high speed rail plan becomes a
reality.
Mayor Joe Powell attended an information meeting with four other Sangamon County mayors last Friday to learn about the
subject. If implemented, the high speed plan which calls for a second set of parallel tracks would be in place by 2014.
Recently, eight midwestern states and the mayors of the major cities in them agreed to a series of extended routes featuring
high speed trains, now listed at 110 miles per hour.
Powell said, "We were made aware of what might happen and were asked for our concerns if any. As it appears, Auburn will not
be affected by any crossing changes, but we would probably see a lot more train traffic through the city."
"Estimates," he added, "say that the expected train traffic would more than double, which includes freights. Twelve trains pass
through the city a day now. We can expect at least 40 in 2014," says the mayor.
Powell said he would seek input from the city council and asks residents with concerns to contact him or their councilman.
Presently, the city has three traffic crossings at Jackson, Madison and Washington all with guard arms. These crossings would
receive a different type of protection, four arms as opposed to two.
Although the pedestrian crossings listed in the survey show three, Van Buren, Jefferson and Adams, Powell said that only one
still exists, at Jefferson. The recommendation of the report was to close these.
Powell said he told the group that Auburn would have one very major concern with the additional tracks, doubling the size of the
"dam" that hinders water to get away from the west to the east under the tracks to Sugar Creek to the northeast.
"It's an issue now and would be worse with an additional set of tracks," said the mayor. He also had a concern for longer
crossing holdups creating problems for fire and emergency personnel. Powell said that he was told that the freight lines were
seeking to be able to pull longer trains.
Several years ago when the fast train plans were first revealed, plans called for overpasses over major highways such as
Route 104 (Jackson).
"It appears that this isn't going to happen in Auburn, but I'm not sure about some of the larger cities," concluded the mayor.
2014
Auburn could see more trains and those with much higher speeds if the federal government's high speed rail plan becomes a
reality.
Mayor Joe Powell attended an information meeting with four other Sangamon County mayors last Friday to learn about the
subject. If implemented, the high speed plan which calls for a second set of parallel tracks would be in place by 2014.
Recently, eight midwestern states and the mayors of the major cities in them agreed to a series of extended routes featuring
high speed trains, now listed at 110 miles per hour.
Powell said, "We were made aware of what might happen and were asked for our concerns if any. As it appears, Auburn will not
be affected by any crossing changes, but we would probably see a lot more train traffic through the city."
"Estimates," he added, "say that the expected train traffic would more than double, which includes freights. Twelve trains pass
through the city a day now. We can expect at least 40 in 2014," says the mayor.
Powell said he would seek input from the city council and asks residents with concerns to contact him or their councilman.
Presently, the city has three traffic crossings at Jackson, Madison and Washington all with guard arms. These crossings would
receive a different type of protection, four arms as opposed to two.
Although the pedestrian crossings listed in the survey show three, Van Buren, Jefferson and Adams, Powell said that only one
still exists, at Jefferson. The recommendation of the report was to close these.
Powell said he told the group that Auburn would have one very major concern with the additional tracks, doubling the size of the
"dam" that hinders water to get away from the west to the east under the tracks to Sugar Creek to the northeast.
"It's an issue now and would be worse with an additional set of tracks," said the mayor. He also had a concern for longer
crossing holdups creating problems for fire and emergency personnel. Powell said that he was told that the freight lines were
seeking to be able to pull longer trains.
Several years ago when the fast train plans were first revealed, plans called for overpasses over major highways such as
Route 104 (Jackson).
"It appears that this isn't going to happen in Auburn, but I'm not sure about some of the larger cities," concluded the mayor.
Issue Date: Sept. 3, 2009
