Rail is cost-effective

To the editor:

The article "U.S. grain exports slowed down by infrastructure delays" correctly points out that we are quickly reaching capacity in our transportation networks. The U.S. Department of Transportation projects total freight demand will rise by 92 percent from 2002 to 2035. Expansion of freight rail can help meet this increasing demand. As freight demand grows, railroads are investing heavily to build new capacity; last year alone, the industry invested almost $10 billion on capital expansion.

Railroads offer significant public benefits in moving our nation's freight. A single freight train can take 280 trucks off our nation's crowded highways. In addition, a train can move one ton of freight an average of 436 miles on a single gallon of fuel. That's a home run in terms of fuel efficiency.

Continuing to meet our transportation challenges will require creative solutions. That's why railroads support public-private partnerships and other resources like tax incentives to stimulate further infrastructure investment.

EDWARD R. HAMBERGER, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C.