Wichita may have missed out on this round of federal transportation grants for the proposed Heartland Flyer passenger rail extension between Wichita and Oklahoma City, but there is still reason for optimism.
News of a transportation grant award for the Southwest Chief passenger rail route through western Kansas should not be seen as a setback for the Heartland Flyer, but as another positive step toward creating a viable statewide passenger rail network.
The communities of Hutchinson, Garden City and other points along the Southwest Chief route are to be congratulated for their hard work in gaining the support of the Kansas Department of Transportation, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Amtrak and neighboring states.
The transportation grant applications for the Southwest Chief and the Heartland Flyer included a financial commitment from KDOT, which also took a leadership role in securing similar endorsements from the states of Oklahoma and Colorado.
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From the beginning of my involvement in the passenger rail issue, we have always been supportive of both rail projects. Now that the Southwest Chief is on a long-term track of productive service to Kansas passengers, we can refocus our efforts on securing the Oklahoma City-Wichita route.
Supporters of the Southwest Chief made an effective argument for why federal and state dollars should be invested in its survival. The route had the added advantage of its historical presence on the Kansas landscape and its critical position in connecting the East and West coasts. The track upgrades also benefit the growing volume of freight traveling through the state.
The economic arguments for the Southwest Chief apply equally to the Heartland Flyer. In fact, projected ridership on the Heartland Flyer would exceed the traffic on the Southwest Chief, with an even greater expectation of return on investment of public dollars.
Just as the Southwest Chief serves as an intercontinental link, the Heartland Flyer links the major population centers of Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Wichita and Kansas City. It also parallels the I-35 corridor that extends south to San Antonio and into Mexico, supporting the flow of commerce that is projected to grow exponentially.
The current cycle of transportation grants has run its course, but it is imperative we continue our efforts to fill the “missing link” between Oklahoma City and Wichita. We will bring value to our community if we close the passenger rail service gap between Oklahoma City and Wichita. Now we need a renewed commitment from state and local officials to make it happen.
The success of the Southwest Chief should provide both reassurance and inspiration for the dedicated advocates of the Heartland Flyer. It’s time to get serious about fixing this major gap in our regional transportation system.
Pete Meitzner is a Wichita City Council member.
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