TNW's Treangen asks Texas lawmakers to consider short-line investment

TNW Corp.'s Paul Treangen, president of the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, last week testified before the Texas House of Representatives' Transportation Committee on the role short lines can play in meeting the state's future transportation needs.

The committee is assessing current and future transportation needs to ensure Texas is adequately planning for the state's population growth forecast, TNW officials said in a press release. TNW operates three short lines and logistics centers in Texas.

Texas is one of few states that has not participated in Federal Railroad Administration funding options to assist and encourage short line railroad capital investment to relieve the growing pressure on roads and highways. On April 26, Treangan — speaking on behalf of 41 short lines in the state — encouraged state lawmakers to consider providing state matches to federal dollars that could help fund short-line infrastructure improvements.

"The recent federal [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act] has been called a once-in-a-generation opportunity," Treangen said. "If we are unable to engage our Legislature, [Texas Department of Transportation] and short-line railroads in an effort to improve our state’s rail network, Texas will miss out."

The Texas Railroad Relocation and Infrastructure Fund (RRIF) could be used to match federal dollars to invest in rail infrastructure in the state, Treangen said.

"We believe the unfunded Texas Railroad Relocation and Infrastructure Fund is just one option to support this effort through public-private partnerships," he said.

Voters approved the RRIF in 2005, but it was never funded. On average, short lines reinvest 25% to 35% of their total annual revenue to maintain their infrastructure.