Union Pacific Claims New Rail Line is Off the Table, But ...
By Liz Foster, Arizona Farm Bureau
Although Union Pacific (UP) recently stated they are not currently looking to build a rail line from Mexico through Yuma, concerns exist for the company’s current double tracking project. These concerns were evident at the June 12th meeting held in Yuma where the Corporation Commission provided information to the gathered group.
The biggest concern voiced by residents at the meeting was the need for grade separations at several crossing both in Yuma and also in the Wellton community, 30 miles east of Yuma. The major worry is not only the large traffic numbers that would use the crossings but also the traffic buildups that may occur after the UP has fully increased their train capacity.
Of the 1,567 rail crossings in the state, the Corporation Commission has authority over 908. These are rail crossings that cross public roadways. At the meeting, the Corporation Commission made it clear that they can only tell UP where grade separations are needed but they cannot direct UP to pay the total cost for building one. UP’s government relations person said that usually UP pays only five percent of the total cost of a grade separation and if directed can pay up to ten percent. Wellton residents are concerned that they will not be able to afford the $30 Million bill to put in the two grade separations discussed for their community at the meeting.
Farm Bureau member, Terry Easterday, voiced concern the UP project is not good for the Yuma community. “Why should taxpayers have to subsidize a private company (UP)? Especially since the railroad would be carrying our competition’s products and tying up our roads.”
Easterday and several others believe the increased rail traffic will hinder produce trucks from reaching the coolers in a timely manner. He also asked, “Who is benefiting from subsidizing a private entity? They want to protect the economic viability of all the communities in the county. If the communities are forced to pay for the grade separations, it will mean higher taxes or the diversion of funds from hospitals, schools and emergency response to pay for the UP project.”
