Quote Originally Posted by baralheia View Post
Though it would definitely improve efficiency, BNSF wouldn't necessarily need to go to double track (DT) or two main track (2MT) operation in order to enable commuter rail - and no grade crossings would have to be eliminated. Several of the lines that Metra runs over have significant sections that are single-track with more than half of their road crossings at grade. You would definitely need at least a siding in single-track areas for stations, however.

I have heard vague rumors that BNSF is thinking of going 2MT on the Red Rock Sub (the North-South BNSF mainline that we're discussing here) because of the level of freight traffic over the line, so if they decide to do that, it could help the RTA as well.
Where does OKC stand with double stacked freight? I know that's been a huge economic development boon for Columbus. It might be a good win-win to help them pay for double-stack lines across the metro and work with the state to enable the line north to Kansas and south to Texas. In addition to the boon that rail transit would be, having double-stack freight access to Texas and Kansas would really make the OKC metro an attractive place for manufacturing.

OKC only has about 2/3rds its natural share of manufacturing jobs, so that sector is under represented. We also talk a lot in a vacuum about "economic diversification" whatever the hell that means. Infrastructure and workforce training are the only two means to prove we mean it when it comes to economic diversification and development. Sadly, we know the state is an unreliable partner toward that end, let alone toward anything that benefits OKC. Mostly because we don't know what we want from the state, and our voters seem to just want more social conservatism and we'll call it good. Only reason I bring that is up is because the state owes us a lot.