Nevada State Rail Plan Nevada Department of Transportation
“The Nevada State Rail Plan is a document…set[ting] forth policy involving freight and passenger rail including commuter rail in the state,…recommendations and strategies to enhance rail service in the state that benefits the public, and serv[ing] as the basis for federal and state investments within Nevada.
This plan brings forth an innovative approach to rail planning designed to help move the state forward in rail planning and towards a more efficient freight transportation system. After working with over 200 stakeholders and identifying over 500 shippers combined with deep data analysis, the plan uncovered that 70% of the trucks on Nevada roads are going to and from California. In creating a rail forward mentality this plan identifies ways to advance the state forward in rail freight for the next 40+ years.”
Sierra Club Passenger Rail Proposal for Northern Nevada
“Northern Nevada is one of the most rapidly expanding metropolitan regions of the country. Our neighbor California is one of the biggest economies in the world, with a huge and growing population, along with skyrocketing real estate costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that millions of people can now work from home, and they can live wherever they want. The climate, natural beauty, and thriving art/music/cultural scene in northern Nevada all combine to ensure that this expansion/development is bound to continue.
Currently, vacant land is available at most proposed station stops. There is space available for railroad right-of-way expansion and new construction. In ten years, certain essential properties could be built over, or the purchase costs exorbitant, making the construction of such a regional rail transit system very expensive, and difficult if not impossible to build.
Now is the time to act! Imagine what real estate prices will be in 2030! Once a regional rail transit system is in place, it is there for present and future generations. Later, the trains can be lengthened, frequencies increased, track capacity expanded, additional stations constructed, and lines extended to more outlying locations. But none of this might be possible if we do not seize the moment and initiate this vital infrastructure project now to serve the people of northern Nevada.”
Governor’s Office of Economic Development Southwest Supply Chain Coalition
“Supply chain stakeholders are forming a coalition in the southwestern U.S. that seeks to stage certain logistics activities in Nevada, Utah and Arizona and away from the densely populated metropolitan and port areas in California.”
Nevada 2020 State Climate Strategy
Nevada’s 2020 State Climate Strategy does not include development of a robust freight and passenger rail system in our state as a strategy for reducing GHG emissions from the transportation sector. NRC intends to work with the State of Nevada Climate Initiative leadership team to help them recognize and support rail as a climate solution.
