Sen. Warren Daniel Is in 'Full Support' of Asheville-Salisbury Passenger Line
In an email sent to Waiting for the Train, Senator Warren Daniel expressed his “full support” for restoring passenger rail to Western North Carolina.
BURKE COUNTY, North Carolina—Passenger rail enthusiasts in Appalachian North Carolina received energizing news Wednesday morning.
In response to an email sent by Waiting for the Train founders Mimi Phifer and Barbara Lynam, Senator Warren Daniel expressed his “full support” for restoring passenger rail to Western North Carolina.
The grassroots organization has been petitioning local and statewide elected officials and rallying community support since last fall. This includes the organization of a large awareness event last November attended by Rep. Hugh Blackwell, Sen. Warren Daniel, and Burke County Commissioner Scott Mulwee.
Sen. Warren Daniel expressed his unequivocal support for restoring the Asheville-Salisbury line, connecting residents in the foothills and mountains with passenger rail routes throughout the rest of the United States.
It won’t be long before we’re riding the rails together, once again.
Why Sen. Warren Daniel Supports Bringing Passenger Rail Back to Western NC
The North Carolina legislator outlined several reasons for supporting the return of passenger rail service to Western North Carolina and why he remains optimistic:
North Carolina is a trendsetter in rising support for passenger rail and increased ridership throughout the United States.
Building passenger rail costs “significantly less” than building highways.” He cites a recent NCDOT contract to complete the I-26 corridor near Asheville, which cost $1.4 billion, a gargantuan figure.
Appalachians in North Carolina have witnessed decades of broken promises to revive passenger rail. He believes “it is time for the State to fulfill its obligation to Western NC.”
The Asheville-Salisbury line is a high priority among NCDOT decision-makers, second, perhaps, only to the “continued buildout of the Piedmont Service corridors.”
According to conversations with Amtrak officials, Daniel expects the route to become “a reality within 5 to 7 years.”
The Asheville-Salisbury line maintains strong public support because it is “uniquely situated to attract significant leisure travel as well as business and student travelers.”
He draws attention to the fact that “every county board of commissioners and nearly every municipal board” have “submitted resolutions of support.”
It’s a “wise use of taxpayer dollars,” especially when you factor in the federal government funding 80% of the project’s cost.
Waiting for the Train is “making a difference” in rallying public local communities along the proposed line.
Rep. Hugh Blackwell is also “in full support.”
Waiting for the Train is hosting another community event at the Farmer’s Market next to the Historic Morganton Train Depot tomorrow, June 13th. It begins at 5:30 and will include updates on the rail line. Residents will be able to ask city and county leaders what they’re doing to ensure the project’s success.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to join Waiting for the Train committees to help galvanize further support for the Asheville-Salisbury line.
You can read Sen. Warren Daniel’s full email response below.
Barbara and Mimi,
I appreciate you asking for my thoughts on this issue, and feel free to share them with the attendees at your meeting this week. Here are what I believe to be the key points in terms of establishing train service to Asheville, as well as the broader state policy towards passenger rail.
Passenger rail is experiencing a renaissance nationally and NC is a part of that trend. The cost of building passenger rail is significantly less than the cost of building highways. That is especially true in urban areas and mountainous regions. Passenger rail brings value. As an example, NCDOT recently let a contract for completion of the I-26 corridor around Asheville at the cost of $1.4 Billion. Contrast this cost with the projected cost to the state for implementing Asheville train service is roughly $140 million (20% of the total projected startup cost of $665 million).
Western North Carolina has been promised passenger rail for decades. I believe, as you do, that it is time for the State to fulfill its obligation to Western NC. NCDOT has an interest in expanding a number of other passenger rail corridors across the state. Aside from continued buildout of the Piedmont Service corridor, the Asheville service must remain the #1 passenger rail priority for NC. And I believe, based on conversations that Amtrak officials have had with our staff, that this route will become a reality within 5 to 7 years.
The Salisbury to Asheville corridor is uniquely situated to attract significant leisure travel as well as business and student travelers. Public support for this service restoration is significant. Every county board of commissioners and nearly every municipal board along the proposed route has submitted resolutions of support. I am committed, as you are, to supporting this expansion because it is a wise use of taxpayer dollars, and it will help grow the economy of the communities it serves across all of Western NC. Citizen participation and public support is crucial in the state’s decision making to establish policy priorities and make funding decisions. Thus “Waiting for the Train” is making a difference. I know I can speak for both myself and Rep. Blackwell that we are in full support of this project, and that we appreciate your advocacy for it.
Sincerely,
Senator Warren Daniel
District 46 Buncombe, Burke, McDowell Counties
Legislative Office Building Room 627
919-715-7823
Waiting for the Train must be doing some effective advocating. This WAS a big bit of good news.