Phoenix to Tucson Commuter Rail study

[mtuandrew]

Via the Ohio Higher Education Rail Network Facebook page: Phoenix to Tucson commuter rail proposal. http://www.azdot.gov/planning/CurrentSt ... l/overview" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Two of their alternatives follow freeways (I-10 and a proposed North-South Freeway), while the third follows the ex-SP Union Pacific between the cities. Anyone else here have more info?

[Jeff Smith]

AZDOT seeking feedback: ABC15

That's a LOT of $$$ (emphasis added below):

ADOT looking for comment on Tucson-Phoenix passenger rail
<SNIP>
State transportation planners who studied multiple options for proposed passenger train service between Phoenix and Tucson are recommending one that would follow largely existing freight railroad tracks and serve both Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix and downtown Tucson.

A draft environmental impact statement released by the Arizona Department of Transportation last week recommends routing passenger trains generally along existing Union Pacific Corp. tracks north of Eloy in southern Pinal County and along UP tracks and Interstate 10 between Eloy and Tucson.

It also envisions possible future extensions from downtown Tucson to Tucson International Airport and from central Phoenix to locations west and northwest of downtown.

ADOT is recommending the yellow alternative, which travels mainly along existing rail lines and would cost between $4.2 and $5.1 billion. It has the highest projected ridership, at 5 million passengers by 2035.

[electricron]

AZDOT seeking feedback: ABC15

$4.2 and $5.1 billion is a lot of money for one commuter rail line. It's 116 miles between downtown Phoenix and downtown Tucson, so the average costs will be between $36.2 million and $43.9 million per mile. Which is around twice as much than most recent commuter rail lines. The only one around the same capital cost per mile is eBART. I believe eBART will be mostly double track, while all the others on the recent list are mostly single track lines. Hopefully Arizona will be laying double track as that would account for the relative high price tag.

Recent examples:
DMUs:
eBART: 10 miles at $463 million, averaging $46.3 million per mile. (State already owned right-of-way, are laying all brand new track)
SMART: 43 miles at $438 million, averaging $10.2 million per mile. (State already owned right-of-way, are laying all brand new track)
DCTA: 21 miles at $320 million, averaging $15.2 million per mile. (Did not buy right-of-way, leasing it from DART which bought it decades earlier, did lay all brand new track)
CapMetro: 32 miles at $120 million, averaging $3.75 million per mile. (Already owned right-of-way, but did not lay all brand new track)
WES: 14 miles at $166 million, averaging $11.9 million per mile. (Did buy trackage rights for right-of-way, did lay all brand new track)
NCTD Sprinter: 22 miles at $477 million, averaging $21.7 million. (Did buy right-of-way, did lay all brand new track)
Conventional push-pull trains
UTA Frontrunner: 88 miles at $1,461 million, averaging $16.6 million per mile. (Did buy right-of-way, did lay all brand new track)(Note: Phase 1 $611 million, Phase 2 $850 million)
NM Railrunner: 97 miles at $385 million, averaging $4 million per mile. (Did buy right-of-way, but did not lay all brand new track)

[Backshophoss]

That would be the existing UP Gila Sub from Tucson to Picacho(part of UP's southern transconn to LA).
UP's Phoenix Sub(former SP passenger route)Picacho to Phoenix,with possible extensions to Buckeye on UP,
and on BNSF's Phoenix Sub to Wickenburg,
Also an extension to Nogales on the UP from Tucson on the Nogales Sub.
By now the double tracking of the Gila sub has been completed.(on UP's dime).
There's plenty of rail freight that crosses into/out of old Mexico via Nogales gateway.

[Jeff Smith]

I've been to Nogales, I can vouch for that. (Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista).

[Backshophoss]

Tucson to Nogales has become the largest "Snowbird" colony is the desert southwest,around the I-19 corridor.
Plenty of S American produce enters the US thru this gateway as well