Monday column - Dear Mr. Obama, please bring us a real-life train set

3 comments January 12th, 2009

Communities around the country are sending President-elect Barack Obama their “wish lists” for his proposed multibillion-dollar economic stimulus package. The Rockford region joined in, listing $1 billion in transportation, public building and other infrastructure projects that could start construction in four months.
You’ll be shocked to know that I not only don’t get a say in the stimulus package, but my own wish list was returned from Washington, D.C., unopened (something about “insufficient postage”). But that doesn’t stop me from listing it here:

• Amtrak between Chicago and Rockford. I don’t care which route, as long as it goes fast, minimizes delays and gets done soon. There are good reasons to bring it back on the old Black Hawk line through Genoa or to run it through Belvidere. I’m not smart enough to say which is better, but I do know that high-speed rail is key to reducing our dependence on oil, minimizing damage to the environment and improving our quality of life in the Rock River Valley. Successful Amtrak routes downstate show that people are willing to get out of their cars if the price, reliability and time are right.

• A feasible and funded plan for commuter rail. It’s not greedy to want both. Amtrak will serve day-trippers and those heading to Chicago and points beyond, while commuter rail will aim toward those working in the Chicago suburbs. To see one of the many benefits of commuter rail, look at the “Metra effect” in suburban downtowns with train stations — cafes, shops and service providers have flourished in recent years. Sure, the economy is in the toilet right now, but it’ll recover eventually and Chicagoland will resume its westward expansion. This is a key to becoming the next great bedroom community.

• A better funding mechanism for transportation projects. Federal and state gas taxes in their current form don’t work. Because they are per-gallon flat taxes, they go down when prices go up because people buy fewer gallons. Meanwhile, it’s very unpopular to raise those taxes, because people are so sensitive to gas prices. But the national highway trust fund is running out of money, and we need a way to find more funding for infrastructure. Also, we need to not just build highways, but use such money for transit and other alternatives to driving.

• Allegiant Air to open a new destination less than 1,000 miles from Rockford. That’s the only way we’re going to see significant growth from Chicago Rockford International Airport’s top carrier, since they’ve made a habit of cutting route lengths to save fuel costs and increase efficiency. Florida, Mesa and Vegas are great, but Rockford is one of the first to lose service when fuel spikes. It was good news when Allegiant honchos suggested New York as a future destination, which would be a perfect fit here (at least for me).

• A calmer year for truckers. They’re the backbone of the logistics sector in the Rock River Valley, and they got hit particularly hard in 2008. First fuel prices soared, and many independent truckers went out of business. Now it’s just plain hard to find shipments. Truckers have an unenviable, but vital job, and I wish them the best this year.

• A Chick-fil-A at the Belvidere tollway oasis. This isn’t technically a transportation wish, but I really want a Chick-fil-A. Come on, Mr. Obama, make at least one of my dreams happen.

Contact staff writer Thomas V. Bona at 815-987-1343 or tbona@rrstar.com.