Commentary
In a recent article about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Treaty, Jon Barela, NM Economic Development Secretary, and Jerry Pacheco, of the International Business Accelerator, stated that they expect the proposed treaty to increase rail traffic in New Mexico. Separately, the article discussed the new mega-container port on Mexico’s west coast, which will be used to bypass the California ports and ship containers by rail through Laredo and El Paso. Both of these initiatives would significantly increase railroad traffic through Las Cruces. Coupling that volume increase with the recent 63% speed increase on the BNSF line will cause a major disruption to traffic and life in general in that part of town. If fact, the lines run right next to the proposed Amador Proximo Neighborhood; hardly a formula for a healthy, prosperous community.
It’s time for the City Council to think about relocating the main BNSF line out of the city. There is already a study underway by the New Mexico Border Authority to relocate the main north-south rail line out of Juarez and El Paso and move it to a location west of the Santa Teresa Crossing. The study has not been finalized, but at a public meeting last week the project’s consultants indicated they are going to recommend connecting the new cross-border line to the BNSF somewhere near Berino, leaving an ugly scar along the west mesa and destroying a wide swath of beautiful and productive farmland in the process. Las Cruces should get involved and push for extending the new line to the west of the city. Why is a New Mexico agency focusing on an El Paso problem and not looking at the entire region? Texas is planning to move its rail problem out of El Paso and, once again, New Mexico is letting Texas push it around.