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Governor Bill Richardson Kicks Off Final Phase of Construction for the Rail Runner Express

Governor Bill Richardson, Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught, and a group of dignitaries April 24, 2008 celebrated the start of the final phase of Rail Runner construction in Santa Fe.

“There has never been a better time, or a greater need for this kind of public transportation,” Governor Richardson said. “Ever-rising gas prices are busting budgets and crushing consumers, and an affordable and economical choice like the Rail Runner is a great alternative.”

Phase II of Rail Runner construction includes 18 miles of new track and 4 miles of reconstructed track that requires almost 7200 tons of new steel rail and 79,000 new concrete ties. A significant amount of grading has is being done as part of this project. Almost 1.2 million cubic yards of dirt is being moved in the Waldo Canyon area to establish the new grade for the track. Another 600,000 cubic yards of dirt are being moved in the I-25 median. And now, work has moved inside Santa Fe city limits.

“I am happy to report that we are moving as planned to bring the Rail Runner Express into Santa Fe,” said Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught. “Since the Belen to Bernalillo service began in July 2006, the ridership is fast-approaching the one-millionth mark. And, with rising gasoline prices, I have no doubt that we will see more and more people use the train once service is up and running throughout the entire 100-mile corridor.”

Three Rail Runner stations to be constructed in Santa Fe will be located at:

The Rail Yard station north of Paseo de Peralta
The South Capitol Station at the State Government Complex north of Alta Vista Street
The South Santa Fe Station at I-25 and NM 599

A fourth station, potentially identified at Zia and St. Francis Drive, will be considered in the future.

“This is a major project for the State of New Mexico”, says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “I’m happy that the MRCOG in collaboration with the Department of Transportation has been able to accomplish this monumental endeavor. We are committed to providing an efficient, convenient, and safe transportation system for New Mexico residents, and this extension of Rail Runner service will help ensure that New Mexicans will have a system that serves their transportation needs well into the future.”

Cars and locomotives for the Santa Fe extension were ordered in the fall of 2006. Four of the cars are already here and the other eight will be shipped soon from Thunder Bay Canada. The four locomotives are on the assembly line in Boise, Idaho and are scheduled for delivery this fall.

The Rail Runner is spurring new development worth $125 million around the Santa Fe Railyard. This includes a 400-car underground garage; 100,000 square foot retail center; a movie theater complex; museums and galleries. All this new development will surround the Rail Runner station in the heart of Santa Fe.

More information on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express can be found at www.nmrailrunner.com .