Rail group tries another tack with case for commuter trains on BNSF line

The group Eastside Rail Now this week tried to strengthen its case for running commuter trains along the abandoned BNSF rail line with a report that says the plan would be boost the region's emergency preparedness.

The statement suggests that the proposed rail line would provide: an emergency evacuation route; insurance against cuts to petroleum supplies; an emergency railway for freight; and a transportation alternative to damaged highways.

Eastside Rail Now has been pushing its plan for two years, primarily under the assumption that it would be cheap, easy to build, and environmentally friendly – even more so than light rail.

The organization claims that regional governments have ignored the implications of an Eastside railroad when it comes to emergency management.

"This failure is not an isolated incident – rather it reflects a systematic problem with both transportation planning and disaster planning in the region," the group said in a release.

(Updates will be coming to this story through Thursday)

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