Writer Praises Collaborative Rail Efforts

By: | TriCities.com
Published: October 18, 2009

Imagine, not just restoring passenger train service but riding much faster trains!

I commend the foresight of the Washington County Board of Supervisors and the two Bristol city councils for their leadership. Early this year, the supervisors and council members were among the first of, now, 53 Virginia and Tennessee government organizations to vote to petition our federal representatives to make dramatic rail infrastructure and service improvements in the I-81 Corridor.

Scott, Smyth, and Russell counties; Abingdon, Marion, Glade Spring, Damascus, the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission, the Bristol Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Scott and Russell County development authorities followed Washington County and Bristol’s lead.
Their action brought results. U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher proposed a federal “Steel Interstate” study between Knoxville and Harrisburg, Pa.

The project would be a pilot project for a National Steel Interstate System, providing electrified, fast, safe, passenger and freight rail service capable of carrying whole trucks, trailers or containers across the nation.

This system would offer independent truckers the option of keeping their load moving at truck speeds during mandatory rest periods. Drivers rest in a sleeper car, then, drive on beyond Knoxville or Harrisburg to make their deliveries.

I just returned from the I-81 Corridor Coalition Conference, hosted by RAIL Solution at the Hotel Roanoke. The technology that makes this all possible was on display there.

The Steel Interstate would place Bristol and Washington County on the nation’s premier transportation system, the model for creating a rail system that would improve movement of people and goods by train as the interstate highway system did for movement of trucks and cars. The Steel Interstate will save lives, money, fuel, and be a wonderful tool for local and regional economic development and tourism.

Thanks, supervisors and council members and Rep. Boucher for your vision.

Rees Shearer
Emory, Va.