Daylight Train May Be On Track

These days, hopping on a Seattle-bound train in Spokane requires crawling out of bed in the middle of the night.

There may be a daylight train in Spokane’s future.

Last session, state legislators told the Department of Transportation to study expanding passenger rail service between Spokane, Seattle and Portland.

A similar study prompted the state to increase passenger service between Vancouver, B.C., Portland and Seattle in 1994.

“We’ve proven that it works well north-south along (Interstate) 5, so what about east-west?” said Jim Slakey, the DOT’s director of public transportation and rail.

The Spokane study will look at what the state would need to make the project successful, such as more trains and better track.

Major obstacles have to be addressed before the trains could ever leave the station, Slakey said.

For one, taking a train from Seattle to Portland takes about the same time as driving a car. But riding a train from Spokane to Seattle currently takes about two hours longer than it would by car.

The track runs through a steep mountain pass and other rugged terrain frequented by freight trains, which have a maximum speed 19 mph lower than a passenger train.

“If we don’t build opportunities for (freight trains) to pull over, then we’re stuck behind slow freight for seven hours,” Slakey said.

The travel time raises another issue for the DOT, such as who would want to take the trip.

“People can take Southwest Airlines for $39 and have a 45-minute trip. We would have to charge more than that,” Slakey said. “Are we just attracting leisure trips?”

And while the state doesn’t expect the train service to make money, officials don’t want to go too far in the hole. Riders pay about 60 percent of the operating cost for the West Side passenger service, Slakey said.

“Could we ever attract that type of ridership to pay that kind of money for east-west travel?”

Slakey’s office plans to deliver the report to legislators in 2001.

“We’re just going to look at the whole thing and then let the policy leaders decide,” he said.

Family fun can be costly

Food and lodging for a family of four on summer vacation will cost an average $213 a day, according to a AAA survey.

A night in a hotel will run about $110, while breakfast, lunch and dinner will be about $103.

Families looking to pay less should head to North Dakota, where meals and lodging cost an average $158 a day. Hawaii is the most expensive vacation state, at $419 a day.

AAA offers a few tips for travelers trying to save a buck. Book hotels in advance and away from popular tourist destinations. Eat a big meal at lunch when menu items are cheaper. Get the car serviced before leaving to avoid costly breakdowns on the road.

Hot spots

Today, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Interstate 90 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Broadway and Park Road.

Folks who commute between Spokane and Cheney should be prepared for extensive delays this week. The state is repaving State Route 904 between I-90 and Cheney.

While SR 904 will stay open, the westbound I-90 to SR 904 ramp (exit 270) will be closed. Westbound I-90 drivers bound for Cheney will need to use exit 264 onto Salnave Road. Then go south on Salnave into Cheney.

Learning opportunity

Spokane County residents can find out more about the Spokane Valley Couplet road project by attending an open house Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the cafeteria of University High School, 10212 E. Ninth Ave.