Rail Runner may soon be headed to Española. (Albuquerque: 2009, hotel)

[bradly]

Great News, Just In!
The Rail Runner Train may be soon headed to Española and maybe Taos in the near future due to its popularity from people in the commuinty and surrounding areas. The idea was brought to the NMDOT from Española Mayor Joe Maestas, the mayor said it would be great, it would also solve the traffic problems between Santa Fe and Española on US Highway 285.


KOB Eyewitness News 4 Article, January 6, 2009
Video>> KOB.com - Espanola, Taos look into Rail Runner extension

The wild popularity of the Rail Runner's Santa Fe extension has caused other New Mexico cities to want to hop on board. Espanola’s mayor is now pushing for an extension to his city.

Espanola's mayor says his town has always been a railroad town since the Chile Line passed through in the 1800s.
Now, he says it’s time to bring the Rail Runner through Espanola and he hopes it will help revitalizing the area's economy.
Mayor Joseph Maestas says right now is the best time to look at the issue, especially since there's still a lot of excitement about the opening of the Santa Fe extension.
Maestas says extending the line would make sense, not only because it could bring in out-of-town dollars like it has in Santa Fe, but also because of the huge commuter base between Santa Fe and Espanola.
Rail Runner officials agree. They say corridor between the two cities is very congested and they say it would benefit from some kind of rail project.
"The amount of cars going from Santa Fe to Espanola that service that area of northern New Mexico is very high, it’s probably even higher than the market between Albuquerque and Belen and we're getting great success between Albuquerque and Belen," said Lawrence Rael of the Rail Runner.
For right now, it is simply an idea and Maestas says he realizes funding would be a big issue. State leaders in Taos are also trying to launch a study to see how feasible it would be to extend the rail runner to their city.

[rybert]

Sounds like a plan to me!

[loborick]

Sounds like a wish. It may happen, but not in the near future. With the economy the way it is, there won't be any further extensions for awhile.

[bradly]

This would certainly improve and re-build Espanola's Old Town/Downtown area.. since the East side of town is the Business Central now..

Espanola is also currently in the very early planning stages a huge river walk along the Rio Grande River that runs threw Espanola, It would include dozens of shops and restaurants and other Businesses (It is still in early early planning stages, I dont think anything will happen till late 2012) This also includes a couple buildings over 7+ stories and the Big rock Casino's New Hotel with a 10+ story building, this would in fact be the new downtown area of the city. Also planned in the near future a Target, Smiths, and A health foods store(not yet determined).