Congressman Bob Filner

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"Now, the lack of a direct rail link to the East is hampering the real growth potential of the San Diego economy. Currently, San Diego's few commercial rail shipments must first make a several hundred mile detour."

Congressman Bob Filner,
June 27, 1996, The Congressional Record

WHAT IS IT?
The goal of this project is to repair and re-open the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad (SD&AE) so that the Port of San Diego for the first time can have direct rail connections to the entire U.S.

WHO WILL IT AFFECT?
This project would transform the economy of our entire region! It will make San Diego a true maritime center and add thousands of high-paying jobs to our economy. San Diego's future economic growth and our status as a trade center depend on harnessing that potential and developing a true, working port. The key to that working commercial port for us is direct freight railroad connections to the rest of our nation.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Once this line is open, the Port of San Diego will gain its own rail link to the east, and would no longer have to move cargo by rail through Los Angeles.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?
Congressman Filner has secured $10 million for a SD&AE Railroad "intermodal yard." This area would serve as a staging yard where cargo would be transferred between trucks and rail cars where trains would be assembled and disassembled. In addition, he has included provisions in the recent Transportation Bill to make the train eligible for certain grants and low-interest loans.

BOB'S STATEMENTS ON THE JOBS TRAIN!

Let the Good Times Roll; The Train Gets Back on Track - (May 20, 2004) Imperial Valley Weekly

Carrizo Gorge Railway Resumes Freight Service - (May 20, 2004) Imperial Valley Weekly

Concretan ferrocarril SD-TIJ: A través férreas quedarán enlazadas ciudades de los países - (30 de Marzo, 2004) Diario Latino

Sandag OKs funds; east-west freight trains will be running soon - (November 24, 2003) San Diego Daily Transcript

Filner says regional airport with high-speed rail could work here - (September 29, 2003) Imperial Valley Press

Refurbished railway opens eyes of politicians, port - (August 7, 2003) San Diego Daily Transcript

"Improving infrastructure and trade"
January 31, 1999, San Diego Union-Tribune

"TEA For 21?"
November 12, 1998, Statement Before the Women's Transportation Chapter Program

"A Real Port For San Diego--The Key To Trade Opportunities On The Pacific Rim"
August 31, 1998, Statement Before the Pacific Coast Association Of Port Authorities

LINKS

San Diego Railroad Museum

JOBS TRAIN