About the Coalition
The Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition was created in 2004 to continue and expand efforts of the Arizona Rail Passenger Association, the National Association of Railroad Passengers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the Southwest Rail Corridor becomes an option for enhancing mobility in Arizona, and between Arizona, California, and Sonora.
The Coalition seeks to bring together the Union Pacific, freight interests, commercial and tourist interests, and government entities with interests in the Corridor, and other public and private sector partners to develop and activate the corridor. We seek to educate potential stakeholders about the importance of this rail corridor and its potential for enhancing the economic development of on-line communities. Our goal is a sound business plan and a political constituency for improving the rail line, and for implementing the needed passenger and freight services.
Potential passenger rail services in the corridor include:
- daily intercity trains from Los Angeles via Yuma, Phoenix, and Tucson to Texas and points east;
- multiple daily round-trips connecting Nogales, Tucson, Phoenix, and Yuma;
- commuter trains in the metro Phoenix and metro Tucson areas, primarily in peak periods with some mid-day and evening operation;
Each of these would have connection to existing and planned bus and light rail systems, and co-ordination of scheduling and fares.
About the Corridor
| 2000 Population | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 16,373,645 1 |
| Palm Springs | 42,807 2 |
| Yuma | 160,026 1 |
| Phoenix | 3,251,876 1 |
| Florence/ Coolidge | 24,840 2 |
| Tucson | 843,746 1 |
| Nogales | 156,900 3 |
| Top Growing Counties, 2000 | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Maricopa, AZ (Phoenix) |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 5 | Orange, CA |
| 6 | Riverside, CA |
| 10 | San Diego, CA |
Importance to Current and Future Transportation Needs
The Southwest Rail Corridor is a vital link between major population centers in Arizona, California, and Sonora. Los Angeles is the third largest city in the United States, and Phoenix is now the fifth largest. Of the top ten fastest growing counties in the United States, five are in Arizona and Southern California. Passenger and freight traffic within the corridor will only increase as the areas continue to develop. If the Southwest is to meet its need for mobility, rail transportation must play a more important role in moving both passengers and freight. Neglecting rail as a transportation choice will adversely impact mobility, air quality, economic development, and overall quality of life.
The Southwest Rail Corridor is a logical rail passenger corridor by virtue of the:
- High volume of travel throughout the Corridor;
- Important tourism component of passenger travel in both directions;
- Sustained and rising motor fuel costs;
- Increasing highway and airport congestion;
- Existing and planned mass transit improvements at major cities.
Developing the rail option between Nogales, Tucson, Phoenix, and Southern California will enhance freight transportation, including time-sensitive goods in trailers or containers carried on rail cars. Benefits of this option include:
- Increased commercial and industrial development;
- Potential reduction of truck traffic on busy Interstate 10;
- Potential reduction of truck traffic and improved roadway safety on the dangerous Buckeye-Gila Bend segment of Arizona Route 85;
- Possible reduction of long-term roadway maintenance costs due to reduced truck traffic;
- Possible trucking company operating economies as fuel costs rise.
Status of the Corridor
| Between… | Miles | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles - Yuma | 251 | Active Mainline |
| Yuma - Phoenix | 173 | Active except 86 miles Roll-Wellton |
| Phoenix - Picacho | 73 | Active Branchline |
| Picacho - Tucson | 47 | Active Mainline |
| Tucson - Nogales | 66 | Active Branchline |
The Corridor comprises approximately 610 miles of right-of-way, all currently owned by the Union Pacific Railroad The sections between Los Angeles and Yuma, and between Picacho (south of Phoenix) and Tucson currently host numerous daily freight trains plus Amtrak’s Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle. To handle increasing traffic, UP plans to double-track much of these sections. The line from Phoenix to Picacho is also active.
Between Tucson and Nogales, UP currently operates daily freight trains. With new traffic from the advent of the Puerto Nuevo inland port in Tucson, and increasing trade with Mexico, this line will need upgrading.
The Union Pacific Railroad has not regularly operated freight trains across the line between Phoenix and Yuma since 1996, but the tracks are in place and could be returned to service and upgraded.