Issues
The Current Issue
Union Pacific Railroad (UP) is proposing to build a rail line from the proposed Mexican deep-water port of Punta Colonet across southern Yuma County to connect with its main east-west Sunset Line.
Arizona Common Sense is not opposed to the rail line, just to the currently proposed route – or any route – across southwestern Yuma Valley. We have offered to work with Union Pacific to find sensible alternate routes.
UP's proposed route would:
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Physically split the county into multiple sections |
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Require many new grade-level railroad crossings posing significant public safety risk and unacceptable traffic delays |
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Add more diesel exhaust to Yuma's tenuous air quality problems |
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Create potential damage to both crops and food safety |
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Result in almost continuous rail traffic with up to 90 multi-car trains a day when Punta Colonet grows to an estimated 6-8 million containers |
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Dramatically reduce the already-limited amount of private land for future development |
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Run adjacent to 7000 new homes under development along old Highway 80, and |
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Directly affect private property rights through UP's ability to enforce eminent domain along rights of way. |
Traffic Challenges
In terms of traffic problems, splitting the county would cause severe safety and traffic problems because:
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Passenger vehicles, school buses and agricultural employees – which now account for about 50,000 passenger movements a day – would be forced onto reconfigured roadways with farm tractors and large implements generating significantly more traffic and significantly more risk. |
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South county commerce would face severe traffic delays affecting, for example, business delivery schedules |
Sensible Alternative Routes
ACS is in the process of identifying sensible alternate routes that won't impact the economic vitality and quality of life in our communities. We have pledged to work with UP to secure all that is needed to build the rail line along a route that makes more sense.
We are exploring alternate routes that won't:
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Negatively impact traffic flow |
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Cause considerable negative impact on the local economy |
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Require many new grade-level crossings |
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Throw significant additional diesel exhaust into the air affecting air quality and food and crop safety |
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Cross or run adjacent to vital commerce, agricultural and residential areas. |
We Want Your Opinion
As a community-based organization, we want – and value – your thoughts and opinions. Let us know how you feel about this issue and if you're willing to join Arizona Common Sense.
Send us an email by clicking on Contact Us.
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