Anyone who doubts that the light rail project backed by Gov. Bill Richardson will be built hasn't talked to the person in state government most directly responsible for the train.

"It's a done deal," said Rhonda Faught, the state's secretary of transportation, of the $300 million project. "Actually, we've been talking about how this has been the fastest ever in all the United States as far as getting a commuter service up and running. The minimum time it's taken in all the other states is five years.

"Why we're able to do this so quickly is because we have a high-class line, a Class 4 rail line, that's hardly used. So we're able to do what they're not able to do in other areas by linking major population centers." Sandoval County commissioners voted last Thursday to spend $10 million on track repair, two stations in Bernalillo, and engine and two passenger cars for the system that will eventually run from Belen to Santa Fe. And while it will take at least four years to complete the entire route, Faught said county residents could see proof of the project before the end of 2005.

"Our goal is to have something up and running by this time next year," Faught said in a private interview after the commission meeting. "Things are running toward that end pretty smoothly. We have a couple of little things that could move it (the start date) up or move it back, but this is moving quickly."

The biggest problem is competing the northern-most leg of the route, which will take additional construction and negotiations.

"We'll have to build a new line, and that's going to be an expense," Faught said. "The line is already in existence where we go through the pueblos.

"Where we have the difficulty is getting up La Bajada - that's where it veers off to Lamy. From Belen up to that point we're good to go," Faught said. "From Lamy to Santa Fe is the slow line (currently rated at only 15 miles per hour). Our intent is to build a new track from where it veers off to go to Lamy that will link into the line that goes down St. Francis (Drive) and gets to the downtown area (of Santa Fe). We anticipate that particular project - we're really pushing it to be four years out."

Faught said the state is studying alternative proposals for the 13- to 14-mile link, which at the estimated cost of $1.5 million a mile means a minimum cost of $19.5 to $21 million for construction. But there are other potential costs as well.

"When you're four years out there are some things that can happen," she said. "That portion of the line that's going to take some right-of-way (negotiations) and also the environmental (requirements) are going to be a little different. Once we get a little further along, we'll have a little better idea of how long it's going to take and if we're on schedule."

Faught said the state hopes to finish negotiations with Burlington Northern-Santa Fe, which owns the line, by the end of the year. She said the state and the company have a signed agreement in which both entities agree to negotiate in good faith, but the formal contract is yet to be completed.

"As we finish those negotiations, we're going to be asking other people to help," she said. "It's a great economic opportunity. The state of New Mexico is putting in $300 million to make sure that this happens. We're going to try to go after other funds, obviously, to help enhance that. Certainly Santa Fe is going to be asked to step up as well.

"What we may be looking at in Albuquerque is for them to provide ancillary things to make this a success as well. So it may not come in the same form, but there are things that are going to have to happen to make this a successful project, and now we have some leverage."

Asked for specifics, she said, "We really haven't set a plan of action on that right now."

Though several speakers at the meeting criticized the proposal, Faught praised the commission for approving the funds.

"Someone has to be first," she said. "The county commission had the courage to make this decision, because it can be controversial. We will certainly be able to go to the other people up and down this line and say, 'You know what? Sandoval County did this.'"

Faught said she believes the federal government will contribute as well. A national transportation bill stalled in the last session of Congress, partly due to election year politics, but Faught believes New Mexico is still on track for national money.

"We are designated as a new-starts program in that legislation," she said. "As a new-starts program, we're eligible for up to $75 million to get the program going. By getting Phase I underway, it shows that we're serious and we're moving forward. That will certainly have a huge bearing on us being able to get additional appropriations for the next phase. It shows that the community is supportive of a transportation alternative."

Faught is confident the project will keep its special status even though the bill, like all legislation, will have to be reintroduced when the new Congress convenes in January.

"I don't think it's going to have to be re-written," she said. "It is pretty much going to stay in tact. There are a few arguments that will have to be made."

Faught countered arguments about mass transit in the West with recent personal experience.

"I went to Dallas to look at some of their transit-oriented developments, and they are so cool," she said. "People absolutely want to live close to a transit entity. Here in Sandoval County, and the town of Bernalillo, people have that opportunity of an additional tax base for the town as a result. Also, businesses want to go where the quality of life is for their employees. They're going to be looking at the clean air. The quality of life we have here in New Mexico is second to none. To have that element is going to bring higher-class types of economic development opportunities to our state."

The gift that keeps giving

Sandoval County's decision to contribute to a light-rail system from Santa Fe to Belen could mean more money for county capital outlay projects this year from Gov. Bill Richardson.

Richardson, speaking Monday in Bernalillo after announcing a $2.1 million gang intervention initiative, said he was "delighted" at the commission vote.

"It will make the commuter rail project more of a reality," he said. "I look forward to recognizing those good efforts by my helping local communities like Rio Rancho with some good capital outlay."

Traditionally, state capital outlay funds, used to construct things like roads, water lines and schools, are split three ways, with a third each going to the governor's office, the state senate and state House of Representatives.

The $10 million expenditure, approved by the county commission last week, will come from revenue generated by the decision to back a $16 billion industrial revenue bond issue for Intel.

-ERIC MADDY