Washington Times Letter To The Editor: Rail Renaissance
30 Jul 2008
Letter To The Editor: Move More Goods By Rail To Address Traffic Problems
Move would alleviate traffic congestion in D.C. Metro, other Virginia traffic trouble spots.
In his Letter to the Editor of the Washington Times, "Rail Renaissance," John Nothdurft, legislative specialist, budget and tax policy for Heartland Institute in Chicago, Ill., wrote that following the recommendations of the 7th Annual Congestion Relief Index would help relieve traffic congestion in the D.C. metro area, not only saving local drivers time and money, but would go a long way toward addressing some of the major traffic problems that have plagued the area for years.
"Increased traffic congestion and gas prices are causing Virginians' heads to spin, while the General Assembly keeps failing to fix the traffic problems," Nothdurft wrote in the July 23, 2008 letter. "Shifting 25 percent of freight from trucks to rail by 2026 would dramatically reduce congestion, pollution and fuel use in urban areas, all without unfairly burdening taxpayers."
"If Virginia's government officials are serious about solving the transportation conundrum," he wrote. "They should unshackle the freight rail industry from excessive regulation and encourage private investment through public-private partnerships and tax incentives."
Nothdurt wrote that through such a shift the average commuter in Washington, Richmond and Virginia Beach would save about $850, 69 gallons of fuel and 38 hours of delays every year.
The 7th Annual Congestion Relief Index was published by Heartland Institute by senior fellow Wendell Cox finds that
Click here to read the letter in the Washington Times.