ELPC Commends National Approach to High Speed Rail Project Selection
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) today commended the Obama Administration for the diverse selection of high speed-rail projects and national approach to awarding $8 billion in stimulus funding.
The 13 projects chosen represent critical first steps toward building a modern, national, passenger rail infrastructure and are the first significant passenger rail investments in nearly a century. These projects encompass 31 states. They enhance connectivity through a variety of technologies in the most environmentally responsible mode of regional transportation, noted Howard Learner, ELPC president.
“This is the beginning of transformative improvement to our nation’s transportation system, giving people a modern, fast, comfortable and convenient travel option,” stated Learner. This funding will put people to work while it improves our environment, strengthens key regions of our nation and enhances our ability to compete in the global economy.“
ELPC will host a National Press Club press briefing Monday, February 1, in Washington, D.C. to review the expected impact of the high speed rail investments. Panelists include Arthur Guzzetti, American Public Transportation Association, John Risch, United Transportation Union, and Thomas Simpson, Railway Supply Institute. The panel will be moderated by Howard Learner.
Currently, the Obama Administration’s total commitment to high-speed rail stands at $10.5 billion, with an additional $1 billion per year pledged to be included in the budget for the next five years. The House transportation committee has also recommended including $50 billion for high-speed rail development in the upcoming transportation reauthorization.
“Today’s awards are only the first step in a long-term process. Significant additional federal funding will be required if we are to truly realize the benefits of modern rail and compete in the global market,” Learner concluded.
To learn more about the Environmental Law & Policy Center’s high-speed rail advocacy, visit elpc.org/highspeedrail
Tags: Advancing Smart Transportation, Media Center Press Releases, Midwest High Speed Rail, Repowering the Midwest
January 28th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
This is the best news I have heard in a long time.Don’t forget michigan though too for high speed rails. mike
January 28th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
High Speed Rail makes sense for transportation, the economy, and the environment.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
I want this high speed rail to go through to completion. I would then, if the price is right, be able to visit my sister and I might be able to see things that I thought that I never would. I am concerned, however, about the use/misuse of funds, cost over runs and the use of politically connected contractors. In addition, if the final cost of a trip on the high speed rail is more than the cost of a flight to the same destination, the number of users of the high speed rail will not enough to support it in the long run. Has anything been done to address these issues?
January 29th, 2010 at 2:09 am
I can hardly wait until this news becomes living, breathing transportation that will carry us throughout the US!
January 29th, 2010 at 2:44 am
I think high speed rail is very important. Cost is important, as is ease of use. If trains don’t run often enough, people won’t use it. There must be a campaign to encourage the public to use these trains (as well as other public transportation)
If there isn’t enough public use, these trains won’t succeed.
I hope the budget includes $ for promotion.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:10 am
This is a long overdue, but nonetheless very weocome, sign that the U.S.A. is finally preparing to develop a full transporation system that will build a stronger sense of nationahood. It concerns those who live in rural regions of the country that the initial funding goes to metropolitan centers for commuter lines and short haul services. A truly significant communication syustem has to serve the whole country, especially the open spaces where population is less but that connect the urban railway complexes. To encourage coast to coast rail passenger service should receive high priority in this long-desired new movement for national rail service that will put our country in the forefront of such service. The Empire Builder is the best example of what should be a replicated service such as is here advocated. It is the best money maker in the Amtrak system!
January 30th, 2010 at 4:58 am
It is smart project to get high speed rail that reduce time of travel and huge emissions from many cars on interstate roads.
However, fuel and/or electricity consumptions of locomotives is very important.
As have showed history, real business is not profitable in many countries where use locomotive propulsion designs that ignoring levers or existing transmissions that energy economy.
Huge power sources of locomotives directly joined to wheels have excessive energy consumptions that increase existing cost of tickets too high in comparison to airplane tickets.
These propulsion designs of last are easy and profitably for manufactures because less number of employees.
I think recent boom of information will disclose opportunity for customers to avoid risky in high speed rail business if they will not repeat the mistakes of last.
January 31st, 2010 at 2:59 am
reconnecting all the broken links between chicago and minneapolis, chicago and detroit, chicago and cleveland, is a giant step forward for our future … and a huge step in reducing gas consumption and air travel. i stand in praise of the foresight finally demonstrated in washington to help us in the midwest reclaim our heritage and interconnectedness with each other. rail travel is the future and NOT the past.