Burlington Northern CEO: New Rail Funds Should Be Targeted
22 5월 2009 - 1:38AM
Dow Jones News
An estimated $13 billion in new federal money for high-speed
passenger rail service should go to a single project that
demonstrates its effectiveness, the top executive of freight
railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (BNI) said
Thursday.
"I'm concerned (the money) will be spread like peanut butter"
nationwide and have little impact, said Chief Executive Matthew K.
Rose, speaking to the Austin Economic Club, a local business group.
"I'm afraid it'll be a missed opportunity."
The federal stimulus package includes $8 billion in seed money
for development of high-speed passenger rail service, and U.S.
President Barack Obama also has called for an additional $5 billion
over the next five years.
Rose said Fort Worth-based Burlington Northern and other freight
railroads likely won't see much benefit from the new federal money,
aside from possible funding for small projects such as crossing
upgrades, because high-speed rail lines require separate, dedicated
corridors.
Still, he described himself as a supporter of efforts to improve
the nation's transportation network overall. Rose recently served
on a federal commission that examined U.S. transportation needs and
potential funding sources.
He estimated Thursday that it could cost $1 trillion over the
next 20 years to fully develop 10 to 15 high-speed rail corridors
in the U.S.
Despite the daunting sum, "I really do think it's an investment
our society ought to make," he said.
But he stressed that the $13 billion to get the effort off the
ground won't make much of a dent unless it's targeted.
Separately, Rose noted in an interview after Thursday's event
that he has seen little momentum for development of high-speed
passenger rail in Texas, despite the new federal stimulus
money.
A high-speed "triangle" linking Dallas, Houston and San Antonio
has been proposed in the past with little to show for it.
"I don't think there's anybody in (Washington, D.C.) talking
about a Texas corridor right now," Rose said.
-By Bob Sechler, Dow Jones Newswires; 512-394-0285;
bob.sechler@dowjones.com