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Monday, October 31, 2005

Officials Break Ground on Commuter Train Station


Associated Press
      BERNALILLO — State, tribal and local officials broke ground Monday on the first of the state's Rail Runner commuter train stations.
    The Sandoval County station is one of nine being built for the commuter rail service between Belen and Bernalillo. Heavy equipment began grading a nearly 4-acre property in Bernalillo in preparation for construction.
    "We are finally making commuter rail service in New Mexico a reality — no more studies, no more analysis,'' said Gov. Bill Richardson, who attended Monday's ceremony. "We have rail cars in place. We have locomotives in place. Now we are starting the process of building train stations.''
    The Sandoval County station will have seating for commuters, 175 parking spaces, windscreens and bike racks.
    Other stations will be built in Belen, Los Lunas and Albuquerque. Stations for Sandia and Isleta pueblos are being designed and will be built next year.
    Service between Belen and Bernalillo is expected to begin next year. The second route between Bernalillo and Santa Fe is scheduled to be completed by 2008.
    The system's locomotives will average at least 55 mph and will travel as fast as 79 mph at certain places along the route. The passenger cars seat about 140 people and include bike racks.