Houston on board early with rail plan

HOUSTON — A new rail line to Port MacKenzie is welcome in Houston, as long as it stops there and helps build industry. That’s the message the Mat-Su Borough and railroad are receiving from some on Houston City Council. Others say trains should roll through even without a depot.

Borough and railroad officials said it’s natural for a town or city to want new services. The problem with the Port MacKenzie spur line is it’s so early in the planning process that no meaningful negotiations can happen. No one yet knows where the federally approved rail route will begin. The tracks will run a course between 25 and 40 miles long, depending on where the line starts, which could be in Big Lake, Willow or Houston.

“First, they’ve got to decide the route,” Borough Economic Development Director Dave Hanson said.

It isn’t unreasonable for a city like Houston to want transportation options like a railroad depot. Wherever the tracks wind up going, project planners will work with the affected communities, Hanson said. There was no strong public opposition to the rail line at a recent Houston City Council meeting, but some want more than just new tracks and a fast-moving train.

Councilwoman Sandy McDonald said the council will likely revisit the issue when it meets again Nov. 15.

No council vote has been taken, but members have their own opinions. McDonald said she agrees with newly elected Councilman Roger Purcell that there should be a siding and/or a depot in Houston.

“If it comes through here we would like it to benefit the city,” she said.

One obstacle to any deal-making is uncertainty facing even railroad planners. The final route plans will be decided in December and then submitted to federal authorities.

“At this point the railroad’s not ready to bargain,” McDonald said.

Once a route is decided locally it still must be approved by the federal Surface Transportation Board, which is likely to OK the chosen route, she said. That federal board also investigates the proposed route through an environmental impact process that is open to the public and — if the route is approved — gives the railroad and Borough a list of contractors to choose from for construction.

Houston Councilwoman Carla Hendrix said she’s in favor of having the new line go through the city, even if there is no guarantee of a depot or siding. “My initial reaction is, hey, bring it on.”

Without a route, Hendrix understands why there can’t be guarantees, and she thinks if Houston is chosen the city can work with the railroad.

And if the railroad refuses a depot or siding as part of the deal?

“There’s always the future,” Hendrix said.

The $300 million rail project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Contact John R. Moses at john.moses@frontiersman.com or call 352-2270.