Loan helps clear way for controversial construction

Thursday, Nov. 23, 2000 | 10:02 a.m.

"The loan is the last piece of the funding pie to fall into place," Griffin said. "Now the ReTRAC project can go forward and our citizens would only pay less than 20 percent of the project cost.

The Transportation Department statement on the loan estimates the cost of the overall project at $242 million, although critics claim it will likely cost much more.

City officials want to lower the tracks to eliminate 11 rail crossings along a 2.2-mile corridor through downtown Reno.

They say increased rail traffic stemming from the consolidation of Southern and Union Pacific railroads is a public safety concern because traffic gridlock at railroad crossings would impede emergency vehicles.

The city said that between the loan and the Union Pacific Railroad contribution of $60 million, solid funding sources are in place for the project for the first time since it was proposed.

"This approval shows commitment at the highest levels of the federal government to the merits of the project," Griffin said.

The proposed trench has been on the drawing board in some form for more than 60 years.

Critics say the city has underestimated the costs, especially of easing environmental effects. Petroleum from leaky pipelines and chemicals, especially from old dry-cleaning businesses, are anticipated to be among the contaminants in the soil and water.

archive