U.S. DOT and States Talk About Next Steps

U.S. DOT Deputy Secretary John D. Porcari, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo and Deputy Administrator Karen Rae conducted a conference call with AASHTO CEOs and Rail Managers to talk about the next steps in the development of High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia participated in the call. Deputy Secretary Porcari laid out the vision of "Where do we go from here?" He reminded the states that there were $57 billion in applications and only $8 billion in funding. There is clearly an interest from the states on building the national network of high speed and intercity passenger rail. States should be focused on laying the groundwork in order to be successful applicants for future funding. These include doing the planning and environmental documents that are necessary to get projects that are "ready to go".

High-Speed Rail Grants Issued

The White House announced that 21 states and the Northeast Corridor will receive high-speed and passenger rail grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Nine states will receive grants for rail planning studies.

The grant awards are listed by region with project details available at the links provided.

A world class system of high-speed and intercity passenger rail in America is no longer just a dream. It is real and its success is critical to transforming transportation in our lifetime.

State departments of transportation have spearheaded the effort to develop and fund a national intercity passenger rail system for the past decade. They have planned, financed, and delivered successful intercity passenger rail service, and they will lead the development of high-speed rail systems across the nation.

Fueled by $8 billion in economic recovery funding, and a strong consensus of continuing support in Congress, America is making a permanent investment in passenger rail. Regardless of which routes are first to get awards, there will not be winners and losers. There will be winners and future winners.

State transportation departments are providing best practices, technical assistance, standards development and planning to create the next generation of passenger rail service connecting America.