Ferrocarriles Peruanos: $8 Billion in American High-Speed Rail Projects Detailed

martes, 2 de febrero de 2010

$8 Billion in American High-Speed Rail Projects Detailed

Source: White House
Class: PRESS RELEASE

SYNOPSIS: Funds to be used to upgrade track and kick-start high-speed passenger rail corridors in 31 states.

Washington, D.C. – The White House on Thursday released initial information on the awarding of $8 billion to start the development of high speed rail projects about which President Barack Obama spoke in his State of the Union address on Wednesday. The program which is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is will be the start of the nation’s first high speed intercity passenger rail system, and is expected to create numerous jobs, both in the short term as well as the long term.

In addition to this funding, there will also be startup funding of $1 billion a year for five years in order to “jump-start” the program, according to the press release from the White House.

The new system will create 13 new high speed rail corridors and will involve 31 states. Maximum speeds on at least one of the corridors are expected to reach 220 miles per hour, and will greatly reduce rail travel time between cities. The project is intended to build high speed corridors in some locations while laying the foundation for future high speed rail in other locations. Projects will also help improve the existing rail infrastructure in order to eliminate bottlenecks and reduce congestion.

In the press release from the Department of Transportation, Vice President Joe Biden, who has been a long time supporter and passenger of rail transit, stated, “By investing in high speed rail, we’re doing so many good things for our country at the same time. We’re creating good construction and manufacturing jobs in the near-term; we’re spurring economic development in the future; we’re making our communities more livable—and we’re doing it all while decreasing America’s environmental impact and increasing America’s ability to compete in the world.”

Concerning the rail project, as well as other infrastructure projects, President Obama stated, “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.” He continued, “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 President’s bold vision for high-speed rail is a game changer. It’s not only going to create good jobs and reinvigorate our manufacturing base, it’s also going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help create livable communities. I have no doubt that building the next generation of rail service in this country will help change our society for the better,” Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood stated.

Following is the information released by the White House concerning the planned infrastructure upgrade.