Issue date: 4/21/04 Section: Opinion

By Rylie Deyoe

On May 10, 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed, thus laying the tracks for a new era in American transportation. Over the past 135 years, the method of traveling by train in the United States has largely been abandoned to give way to travel by air and by car. Now in 2004, there are hopes of resurrecting this great lost method of travel.

The April 13 Battalion reported the possibility of completing a high-speed rail from Killeen to Houston approximately 20 years from now. According to the Texas High Speed Rail and Transformation Corporation (THSRTC) the Killeen-Houston rail would be part of the "Texas T-Bone" which would connect San Antonio, Austin, Fort Hood, Killeen, Waco and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. There are numerous economic, social, academic and practical benefits that can come from the completion of such a project.

Currently, unless one drives excessively over the speed limit, it takes approximately 90 minutes to reach the western edge of Houston from College Station. It is projected, however, that a high-speed rail system could shorten travel time to a mere 20 minutes.

This alone would help A&M and College Station by allowing more people to come to the community for leisure, especially sporting events, and would also increase faculty base. Someone in the Houston area could work at A&M without the hassle of moving, even if they were currently employed at another university.

There are many dedicated Aggies who would love to attend A&M home football games and other sporting events. However, many times the travel can be too tedious and prevents them from coming to the games. The proposed rail system would make their trip much easier and, in turn, since more people will come to the games, Kyle Field and the Twelfth Man will grow. It is also important to keep in mind that the students at A&M now are the ones who would be using and enjoying a high-speed rail system 20 years from now.

A&M's academic reputation would also increase by bringing in professors from schools such as the University of Houston and Rice University to give guest lectures, talks and presentations. Due to time and fuel constraints, these women and men who might not otherwise be able to visit A&M would now be able to come with greater ease.

According to the THSRTC, the population of Texas is expected to double to more than 30 million people. A statewide high-speed rail system will help alleviate and prevent highway traffic problems and will allow for the expansion of cities. People will continue spreading outward and living in the suburbs of the major cities. Jobs can often be limited in these areas; a rail system would increase the opportunities any particular individual has to find adequate work. No longer will he be restricted to work only within a 30-minute to one-hour drive.

A&M students already seem to be taking to the idea. Sophomore sociology major Christine Stockholm said, "I believe overall that (the rail system) will be a good thing. It would be a lot easier to commute to and from places and would cut down on the traffic. However, I don't think that many people will use them." This is certainly a legitimate concern. Why spend the money on a project no one will use? However, unlike the light-rail in Houston that covers a small area and serves a small portion of the population, the proposed high-speed rail system would cover central and southeast Texas' vital cities. Given the opportunity to get to San Antonio, College Station, Austin, Houston or Dallas in a matter of minutes and without the hassle of the airport, many people will surely take it.

Like the creation of the interstate highway system, high-speed rail has the potential to revolutionize travel. Aggies and Texans should embrace the rail and return the "station" to College Station.

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