Environmental Law and Policy Center » Midwest High Speed Rail

Free Concert and Rally to Bring Passenger Rail to Des Moines

pgray — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:34:06 +0000

On Tuesday, August 31 ELPC and the Greater Des Moines Partnership will host Rock the Rails, a free concert and rally to build support for bringing passenger rail to Des Moines. The event starts at 5 PM at Hessen House, 101 4th Street in downtown Des Moines.

Click here to see the event poster and details.

Click here to register.

Construction of Chicago – St. Louis High-Speed Rail to Begin in September

pgray — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:36:55 +0000

A recent agreement between Union Pacific Railroad and the Illinois Department of Transportation clears the way for construction to begin on the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor. The project is expected to create 900 new jobs.

“Our state is now moving to begin construction of a modern rail system that will create economic development, better travel options and less pollution,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. ” The agreement is a big first step in the transformation of our transportation system.”

Construction on this project is expected to start this fall, and we look forward to high-speed trains operating in Illinois beginning in 2012. High-speed rail is a win-win-win: good for jobs, good for economic development and good for the environment.

Today’s announcement moves forward the work over many years by rail advocates and public officials.

Read coverage in the Chicago Sun Times

Passenger Rail in Ohio Could Put Business on the Right Track

pgray — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:35:24 +0000

Ohio is working to create passenger rail service between Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati – an investment that would create opportunities for economic development throughout Ohio, and especially in towns along the route. With the help of $400 million in federal funding, the “3C” service could begin running by 2011. Officials in Riverside, Ohio, home of the Wright-Patterson Air Force base, think the new rail line would be great economic news for their community. In an interview with Public News Service, the Director of Economic Development for Riverside explains the opportunities the new rail line is creating.

Listen to the story here

Safety is key in planning for high-speed rail

pgray — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:19:18 +0000

ELPC Deputy Director Kevin Brubaker responded to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune that raised concerns about safeguarding pedestrian safety as high-speed rail expands in Illinois. Improved signaling and safety measures are an important part of investments to bring high-speed rail to the US. Recent increases in funding for high-speed rail create an opportunity to improve safety while creating more sustainable transportation options.

Read the letter here

Report: Midwest High-speed Rail Network Could Create $6.1 Billion in New Business and 42,000 New Jobs in Chicago

pgray — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:26:54 +0000

A study released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors outlines the economic impact of high-speed rail development on metropolitan areas across the US. The report examined job creation, the effects of improved market access, greater connectivity, travel time savings, as well as increased income and business sales and finds that Chicago stands to gain up to 42,000 new jobs and 6.1 billion in new business from the Midwest High-Speed Rail Network.

“This report emphasizes the opportunity here for Midwest high-speed rail will grow our economy while improving our environment. High-speed rail means good business for Chicago, improved mobility, reduced pollution and job creation,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.

The report estimates that a Midwest high-speed rail network linking Minneapolis – Madison – Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit and other areas will being 3 million new visitors to downtown Chicago each year and will spur new commercial development around Union Station and other areas downtown.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center has worked for over a decade to build support for the Midwest High-Speed Rail Network. Progress toward Midwest high–speed took a major step forward when the Federal Railroad Administration awarded $2.6 billion to jumpstart construction of leading high-speed rail projects in the Midwest.

Click here for more information on ELPC’s high-speed rail program

Download the U.S. Conference of Mayors report here

Ohio Businesses Would Get a Boost from Passenger Rail

pgray — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:51:08 +0000

Businesses in Columbus would benefit from the broader customer base and new transportation options that passenger rail would create. Ohio’s 3-C rail plan to link Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati was awarded a $400 million grant as part of the federal economic stimulus. Though some Ohio legislators question the plan, the business people interviewed in this radio story say that downtown Columbus needs more transportation options. Ohio still needs to approve the funding by a vote that will come later this year.

Listen to the story here

ELPC in Washington Post – High-Speed Rail Improves Mobility While Improving the Environment

pgray — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:03:24 +0000

The Washington Post looks at high-speed rail development across the U.S. and its benefits to travelers, the economy and the environment. The article highlights the excitement and broad support generated by the recent historic investments in high-speed rail.

ELPC Deputy Director Kevin Brubaker explains that “High-speed trains consume less fuel, produce less carbon dioxide, and promote urban redevelopment, which has broader environmental benefits…We see high-speed rail as a way to improve mobility while improving the environment.”

Read the full article in the Washington Post

Illinois Begins Work on High-Speed Rail Projects

Jamie — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:09:44 +0000

According to a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor, Illinois is beginning work on projects to prepare for the $2.6 billion President Obama promised the Midwest in January to modernize its transportation network with high-speed rail.

Part of the project is the renovation of Chicago’s Union Station, which, according to ELPC Deputy Director Kevin Brubaker will serve about 5 million people a day as the new hub of the Midwest high-speed rail network.

“This is the time for us to open up the process to get these ideas on the table for where and how the station that is going to have 5 million people in and out of it, can do it most effectively and do it right,” he says.

Read the full story here.

ELPC High-Speed Rail Webinar – Turning the Vision into Reality

Jamie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:25:11 +0000

ELPC High-Speed Rail Webinar - Turning the Vision into Reality

ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner and Deputy Director Kevin Brubaker recently gave a webinar to discuss the latest news on national high-speed rail policy and funding.

View slides and audio here.
Download the presentation slides here.

ELPC Commends TIGER Grants That Benefit Freight and Passenger Rail

pgray — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:14:36 +0000

The Environmental Law and Policy Center commended the U.S. Department of Transportation’s awards of TIGER grants in Midwest states that will benefit both freight and passenger rail.

A $100 million TIGER grant will go toward untangling freight rail lines in the Chicago area. This grant will make freight rail more efficient nationwide while also making passenger rail through Chicago faster and more reliable. The Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) project, is a public–private partnership involving 14 rail companies and other agencies. Its goal is to reduce freight rail traffic congestion in Chicago, the hub of the nation’s railways.

“This grant is a double play that can both alleviate freight congestion and speed up passenger rail,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.

Read ELPC’s press release