By Brenna Moore, 6-15-06
Experts on
the possiblity of a commuter rail system concluded in a meeting on
Thursday that the next step along the path to start a passenger rail
system in Missoula is to find a way to get people excited about the
option, create a strong progress plan for the project and decide if
a commuter rail is the best choice to solve air pollution, traffic
congestion and high gas prices for Missoula and the Bitterroot
Valley.
The symposium, titled "A Discussion on the
Feasibility of Commuter Rail Service in the Missoula and Bitterroot
Valleys: An Option to High Gas Prices," offered information about a
new commuter rail system for Missoula, one that would build on the
current freight rails in Montana and offer an alternative in
transportation. The meeting's presenters said a passenger rail line
would help decrease air pollutants so common to Missoula, decrease
traffic congestion and help build a stronger community and quality
of life.
"We ought to be able to commute ourselves around
the city without pollution and without alienating ourselves from one
another," said Bill Carey, Missoula County Commissioner and
presenter.
Because certain economic trends like population
increase, business growth and urban development are now occuring in
places like Missoula, cars are no longer the best or wisest means of
transportation, said Dan Kemmis, a senior fellow for the Center for
the Rocky Mountain West.
"We're finally beginning to evolve
out of the automobile trend that's been going on for over 100
years... we have a lot of thinking to do, and we have to be as smart
and as wise as we can be," he said.
The rail system would
not be cheap, experts say, but in terms of lowering air pollution
and reducing traffic congestion, which are factors that contribute
to the overall cost equation, a passenger rail system is possibly
the most cost-effective solution in reducing these transportation
problems, presenters said.
The feasibility of a commuter
rail system, including more talk about the cost of the project, will
be discussed further at tomorrow's City Club meeting held from 11:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Governor’s Room at the Florence Hotel
Building at Higgins and Front Street in downtown Missoula. It is
most likely too late to reserve a spot for lunch, presenters said,
but everyone is encouraged to attend and learn more about this
possibilty for a brighter transportation future.
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