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January 31, 2010 – Vol.14 No.46 The White House: $8 Billion for Rail Projects. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is awarding $8 billion to states across the country to develop America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), these dollars represent an historic investment in the country’s transportation infrastructure, which will help create jobs and transform travel in America. “Through the Recovery Act, we are making the largest investment in infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was created, putting Americans to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, and waterways for the future,” said President Obama. “That investment is how we can break ground across the country, putting people to work building high-speed rail lines, because there’s no reason why Europe or China should have the fastest trains when we can build them right here in America.” The awards will serve as a down-payment on developing or laying the groundwork for 13 new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors across the country. The major corridors are part of a total of 31 states receiving investments, including smaller projects and planning work that will help lay the groundwork for future high-speed intercity rail service. The grants are not only expected to have an up-front job and economic impact, but help spur economic growth in communities across the country, provide faster and more energy-efficient means of travel, and establish a new industry in the U.S. that provides stable, well-paid jobs. This historic $8 billion investment is expected to create or save tens of thousands of jobs over time in areas like track-laying, manufacturing, planning and engineering, and rail maintenance and operations. Over 30 rail manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, have agreed to establish or expand their base of operations in the United States if they are hired to build America’s next generation high-speed rail lines – a commitment the Administration secured to help ensure new jobs are created here at home.
The majority of the dollars announced today will go toward developing new, large-scale high-speed rail programs. This includes projects in Florida, which is receiving up to $1.25 billion to develop a new high-speed rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando with trains running up to 168 miles per hour, and in California, which is receiving up to $2.25 billion for its planned project to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco and points in between with trains running up to 220 miles per hour. In April 2009, the Administration released a long-term plan for high speed rail in America. In addition to the $8 billion awarded today, the plan also included $1 billion a year for five years in the federal budget as a down payment to jump-start the program. Applicants submitted over $55 billion in project proposals for the initial $8 billion in funds. Awardees: --- Florida Department of Transportation, $1,250,000,000. Toward the creation of a new high-speed rail corridor that connects Tampa Bay, Orlando, Miami and other communities. --- California Department of Transportation, California High-Speed Rail Authority,$2,344,000,000. Toward the construction of a high-speed rail system of 800 miles serving major population centers. --- Illinois Department of Transportation, Missouri Department of Transportation, $1,133,000,000. Projects to improve rail service and speeds to 110 mph. --- Wisconsin Department of Transportation; Minnesota Department of Transportation, $823,000,000. Projects to improve rail service and speeds to 110 mph. --- North Carolina Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation; $620,000,000. Projects to improve rail service and speeds up to 110 mph. --- Washington State Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Transportation. $598,000,000. Add new rail service to existing lines, increase on-time performance. --- Michigan Department of Transportation, Indiana Department of Transportation,Illinois Department of Transportation, $244,000,000. Renovate stations, rail and infrastructure improvements, some new tracks. --- Ohio Department of Transportation, $400,000,000. New service up to 89 mph, track upgrades, new stations. --- Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, Vermont Agency of Transportation ,Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Rhode Island Department of Transportation ,Connecticut Department of Transportation, State of New York Department of Transportation, New Jersey Transit, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Delaware Departement of Transportation, Maryland Department of Transportation, District Department of Transportation (Washington, D.C.) $1,191,000,000. Improvements to increase speed to 110 mph, new service, selected new track and infrastructure improvements, new stations or renovations. (1/28/10)
Links: The White House (addional links on the White House page)
Disclaimer, Forward-Looking or Safe Harbor Statement on original press release: No
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