Commuter Railroad a Possibility for Future Missoula Transportation

By Brenna Moore, 6-18-06

With gas prices on the rise and steadily climbing, growth overcoming the city and urban developments expanding, Missoula citizens are looking to the option of a commuter rail system to decrease the escalating transportation problems of traffic congestion, air pollution and costly vehicles. And, after last week, that discussion is officially serious.

During last Thursday's symposium titled, "A Discussion on the Feasibility of Commuter Rail Service in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys: An Option to High Gas Prices," experts explained the benefits of a passenger rail system to a crowd of about 100 people, and answered their questions about the potential implicated costs, an issue that topped the list of concerns for several attendees.

The presenters argued that because certain economic trends, like population increase, business growth and urban expansion, are now occuring in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys, automobiles may no longer be the best choice for transportation. Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley are on the "radar screen" for major corporate location decisions, meaning the number of people commuting to and from work is going to keep increasing and the dependence on transportation will increase along with the prospective developments, said Dick King of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation.

"I encourage you all... to think about this alternative... get working on this fundraising...and what would have to happen for this to become a reality. A dream without funding is just a hallucination," King said.

Economic expansion is not the only reason a passenger rail line would make sense. It would also help in solving the air pollution problems that are so common in valleys, like Missoula and the Bitterroot, said Garon Smith, a University of Montana chemistry professor. Pollutants and particulate matter get trapped in Missoula's air, and the chemicals and fossil fuels released by cars only add to the problem.

"It's vehicles that we're breathing, so if we can work on reducing our vehicle traffic, we can certainly breathe better, and a commuter rail line would certainly do that," Smith said.

Biodiesel might be the best option for fueling the rail system, as the price of gas is going to keep increasing, Smith said.

"I think we're going to be talking about $5 per gallon for gas... there's no way out... when the global warming issues take hold, it's going to be time to get ready for a very big bump in rail transit funding," Ames said.

"We already spend more on transportation then we spend on food or education," said GB Arrington of Parsons Brinckerhoff.

However, a passenger railroad in Missoula would not be cheap, and it is a long process, presenters said. The rail system, beginning with a successful feasbility study to the time construction is almost done, would take about 10 years, said Urban Rural Specialist Lewis Ames. It would be a light rail transit system, he said, built on top of Montana's current freight rails and acting as an alternative in transportation between small cities and communities.

"The movement toward small scale systems is profound, and taken seriously...it is happening and being recognized by small cities such as yourself," Ames said.

Experts presented success stories of passenger railroads in cities like San Diego, Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Sacramento and Portland.

But there are serious costs involved, Ames said. An estimated cost wasn't released, as a feasibilty study is required to get the ball rolling on cost estimates, he said. However, a commuter rail system might be the most cost-effective way in reducing traffic congestion, air pollution and accomodating economic growth, all of which contribute to the overall cost equation, presenters said.

What is needed now is a strong plan of action to move forward, leaders who are knowledgeable about the process and a way of getting the community excited and open to the option of a passenger rail line, presenters said.

"It may seem hopeless, but with the right plans and ideas, we can build a stronger community," said Missoula County Commissioner Bill Carey.

"You can't get people out of their cars with crowbars... having a commuter rail line seems like a good next step," Smith said.

The sysposium concluded with the notion that a commuter rail line serves as a bright and smart alternative in solving Missoula's transportation problems, and presenters suggested community members become more involved in the discussion and the process.

"Trend is not destiny," said Arrington, "you can create your own future."

A commuter rail line is "an acceptable way to clear the air and we certainly have the results to show it in Portland," he said.
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