Route through Tulsa hinges on Heartland Flyer expansion

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jul 3, 2000

TULSA (AP) -- A route through Tulsa is included in a final report on a proposed passenger rail system, although officials say the whole idea could be scuttled if the state doesn't find a funding source for passenger rail service.

The proposed rail expansions, which would link the state to Amtrak's national passenger rail network, hinge on the continuation of Amtrak's "Heartland Flyer," which travels between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, a consultant said.

"The thing that makes this rail expansion attractive to Amtrak is the extension of the Heartland Flyer to the national passenger rail network," consultant Thomas Shelton said. "If that route didn't exist, there would be no reason for Amtrak to be interested in Oklahoma," Shelton said.

Shelton updated a transportation committee with representatives from Tulsa, area cities and the Indian Nations Council of Governments on the report, which is expected to be finalized in a few months.

While the Heartland Flyer is doing well as Amtrak trains go, it still will need some sort of taxpayer-funded subsidy once $22 million in federal seed money runs out, officials have said.

Shelton noted that Amtrak's contract for the service is up in 2002, the same year Amtrak is mandated by the federal government to become self-sufficient.

It's unclear what "self-sufficient" means, but it is likely that subsidies at that point will come only from the state and local level, Shelton said.

The proposed railway expansion would be done in phases. Routes would be added from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kan., and on to Denver; from Oklahoma City to Tulsa; and from Tulsa to Kansas City, Shelton said.

"This would make Oklahoma a through state from Chicago, to Kansas City, to Fort Worth," Shelton said. "The routes also would allow for travel from Fort Worth through Oklahoma to Denver.

The ultimate goal is to make Oklahoma a true central railway hub in the U.S."

The first leg to Newton is estimated to cost $10 million. An existing rail line is in good shape and can carry passenger cars, Shelton said. The stretch is about 198 miles, and travel time is estimated at 3.5 hours at an average speed of 57 mph.

The leg from Oklahoma City to Tulsa has an estimated cost of $120 million, Shelton said. There is an existing rail line, but it is in poor condition with too many severe curves. It also has no signal controls required for passenger rail service, he said.

Shelton said it would be necessary to straighten the route to allow for high-speed passenger trains, which would cut the travel time.

High-speed trains travel up to 90 mph, he said.

Because of the need to realign the route, the leg could take up to seven years to complete. If funding is available, the old line would be in use while the new alignment is being constructed.