Train service may barrel past Tulsa

Monday, February 21st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Ponca City may beat out Tulsa as the newest Oklahoma destination for Amtrak. Amtrak is considering an expansion of its line that connects Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, Texas.

State Sen. Dave Herbert, D-Midwest City, said a plan is being studied to have the service extended through Ponca City and on to Newton, Kan., where it would connect with the national rail system. "It's going to happen unless we can get Tulsa hooked up soon," said Herbert, the Legislature's leading rail service advocate who wants the state's two largest cities on the system.

Herbert was vital in restoring rail passenger service to Oklahoma last year through the Heartland Flyer. The Oklahoma Amtrak route carried more than 38,000 people from June to November of last year, according to the state Transportation Department.

So far estimates are showing the Tulsa route costing between $100 million and $124 million. A public hearing on possible train routes is scheduled for Thursday night at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa. There will be a presentation on the findings on a feasibility study on rail service in Oklahoma.

Sen. Paul Muegge, D-Tonkawa, is pushing the Oklahoma City-to-Ponca City route, which runs through his legislative district. "A passenger rail line through northern Oklahoma would be great news for the people in these communities," Muegge said.

The consultant who conducted the feasibility study said several factors are involved in determining the best corridor. Among those are the existing rail line's physical condition, the level of daily freight activity, the station's location and condition, capital cost for improvement and ridership estimates