Union Station, which is located just south of downtown in Oklahoma City, is the intersection of five existing rail lines that could serve nearly all sectors of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, including Guthrie and Norman.

 One line parallels I-40 west of downtown, and with park and ride lots at major intersections could serve the entire western half of the city, including Yukon and El Reno. A second line connects the Will Rogers Airport and FAA center, also Wheatland, Mustang, and Chickasha-Lawton-Altus with downtown. The third line paralells I-35, and with park and ride lots could serve the entire area between Guthrie and Norman,and go on to connect in the south with Dallas. Line four serves Dell City, Midwest City, and Tinker Air Force Base, and Line Five goes from downtown past the University medical center to the OKC Zoo, Omniplex, and Remington Park.

 Unlike most cities considering rail transportation, Oklahoma City has most of the track already in place, all we need are passenger loading areas, rail cars, and the facilities and rail yard at Union Station.

 Dallas Transit uses Rail Diesel Cars, which are refurbished by FarmRail in Clinton, Oklahoma, on its Trinity Railway. Click on "train info" to learn about the self-propelled Rail Diesel Cars which could form the backbone of a cost-effective Oklahoma City area transit network.

 But Oklahoma City is about to lose this most significant transportation infrastructure. The proposed new route for the I-40 Crosstown Freeway will destroy Union Station's rail yard, replacing the intricate interchange and world class passenger and freight loading systems with inferior facilities and one track.

 To stop this, Oklahoma City must demand that the State and Federal Government develop another route for the I-40 Crosstown Freeway. Destroying this significant heritage infrastructure is as foolish as destroying Deep Deuce was in the 1970s.

 If you would like to join a lawsuit against the destruction of Union Station, as a plaintiff, a lawyer, or a donor, please contact Robert Waldrop at 405-613-4688, or rmwj@soonernet.com .

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

"ODOT lies continue! Commentary by Tom Elmore regarding the ODOT claims that Union Station would not be impacted as a passenger rail center by the I-40 crosstown relocation.

Is the Crosstown Freeway REALLY crumbling?, commentary by Tom Elmore about state and federal government claims that the I-40 crosstown is about to "fall down" and warning of the dangers of starting construction BEFORE all the money is available (which btw is the current plan: to start building the new Crosstown without having all the money available.)

Doing Harm in Oklahoma City, Tom Elmore reminds us of several other recent expensive Oklahoma government boondoggles as he warms us of the harm the destruction of Union Station will be to the local community.

Cara Rice Radio Show Interview Transcript, wide ranging interview with Tom Elmore regarding rail issues, Oklahoma politics, Congressman Ernest Istook, notes the ballooning estimates on the Crosstown relocation and asks questions about Istook's opposition.

Fuel Tax Issues, identifying the real issues in proposals to increase fuel taxes, and noting the problems caused by trucks regarding highway maintenance.

www.lightrailnow.org Light Rail organization (off site link), great info about progress of urban rail and transit systems in our competitor cities of Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City,. St. Louis, Kansas City. Facts explained and urban myths debunked about urban rail systems.

Where there is no vision the people perish. Social justice, economic sustainability, community resilience, and environmental stewardship in Oklahoma City. By Robert Waldrop

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