Connecting Communities: A Passenger Rail Symposium The Lone Star Rail District. May 25, 2010 Ross Milloy

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1 Connecting Communities: A Passenger Rail Symposium The Lone Star Rail District. May 25, 2010 Ross Milloy

2 The world is changing Population and trade are increasing at increasing rates The petroleum price uncertainty will keep prices fluid with consequent lifestyle & market changes Regional prosperity & public safety is threatened by a perfect storm

3 Megaregions Mega-regions around the world will test the capacity of governments to stimulate the investment required to generate jobs and to produce the services, infrastructure, and social supports necessary to sustain livable and stable environments. 2

4 The Austin-San Antonio Corridor Population 3.6 million people currently 6-7 million by 2030 Population doubles every 20 years Rate of growth is increasing 1400 People Moving To Texas Each Day I-35 links 3 of 5 fastest growing regions in the US 100+ fatalities per year 1 Billion in annual congestion costs Increased Sprawl Each 1% increases I-35 traffic 3-4% 3

5 Urban Sprawl San Antonio Population Growth Population density map by location and year !"1100!" !" !"10!"35!"35 35!" !"!" !"!"10!" !" !" !" !"!"3355!" "410! 9900!" !" !" Source: Bexar County; Military Transformation Task Force, San Antonio, TX, May City of Austin 4

6 Trade Growth FHWA Study Results IH-35 Primary NAFTA route 1700 miles from Mexico-to- Canada Most congestion Most accidents Most fatalities Lowest speed per mile Lowest level of service Most air pollution 5

7 Trade Growth Total NAFTA Trade Currently About 900 billion NAFTA Truck Vehicle Miles Traveled Will Quintuple by

8 US trucking increases at 2% a year; Texas increases at 6%; Austin-San Antonio trucking increases at 15% a year, doubles every 4-5 years. 7

9 Texas-Mexico NAFTA Rail System 8

10 The Plan: Build SH 130 Relocate Union Pacific Build Commuter Rail 9

11 Existing UP Line Over 100 years old Nearly 200 At-Grade Crossings Road/Rail Intersections Cause Major Congestion 10

12 Union Pacific Freight Trains Most current trains are through trains Through trains will be rerouted to the east Local freight customers will be served Provides capacity for passenger trains 11

13 Who Is Lone Star Rail District? Authorized by Texas Legislature, formed as Austin-San Antonio (Intermunicipal Commuter) Rail District in Members include cities, counties and transportation agencies in five-county corridor region. No taxing authority; exclusive development agreement authority; comprehensive development authority can issue revenue bonds. 12

14 Current Lone Star Rail District Service Area Could serve larger area if desired Could serve as basis for High Speed Rail Corridor from San Antonio to Dallas Current plan would cost million depending on desired speeds Current plan envisions about 12,000 riders per day Operating costs average million a year 13

15 Basic Facts about the LSTAR More than 110 miles from Georgetown to South San Antonio Up to 16 stations serving communities and destinations all along the corridor. Primarily routed on Union Pacific rail right-of-way. Up to 12 trains a day, seven days a week, in each direction, including midday and evening service Must meet-or-beat car speeds between cities 14

16 LSTAR Destinations 17 college campuses with more than 280,000 students, faculty and staff Major employment centers The state s major shopping, recreation and tourism destinations Revitalizing communities and transit-oriented development 15

17 Additional Benefits of Regional Passenger Rail Improving freight rail service to the region 20 billion increase in personal income by 2030 Increased state and local tax base by 3 billion Increased property values from 440 million to 4.5 billion Direct economic impact of construction and operations 16

18 What s Happening Now Final engineering and environmental studies Station location studies Financing plan Rail relocation studies with Union Pacific Public involvement and new name/brand 17

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