High Speed Rail Updates

Thanks to President Obama and the Democratic Congress, the Stimulus Bill included billions for new high speed rail projects around the country. TCU is working to make sure that Amtrak, and therefore our members, will benefit from these new initiatives. Currently, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is developing guidance for the states to submit proposals in several major corridors.

This page will have the latest updates on how the high speed rail plan is moving forward.

Ten major corridors were identified by the White House for high-speed rail projects as well as improvements in the Northeast Corridor. The projects selected for funding were based on merit and benefit of investment.

The ten major corridors are: •California •Pacific Northwest •South Central •Gulf Coast •Chicago Hub •Florida •Southeast •Keystone •Empire •Northern New England

White House Release – Recovery Act Reaches 10,000 Transportation Projects Nationwide – November 12, 2009

Click here to view summary of the plan.

278 High Speed Rail Projects Applied for Funding – July 17, 2009

A recent FRA press release stated that 278 high-speed rail projects applied, and could be selected for, funding under the economic stimulus package.

Click here to view the FRA Press Release
Click here to view the Application Data released by the FRA.

 Click Here – FRA Releases Preliminary National Rail Plan – October 15, 2009

High Speed Rail Outreach Information (From the workshops around the country)
(Some of these files are large and may take a minute to open)

HSIPR Guidelines for grant applications

AASHTO Inner city passenger rail booklet
AASHTO Press Release
MWRRI-Regional-Brochure
Midwest Rail E-Report
Passenger Rail Working Group 2007 Future Vision
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008: PRIIA Overview
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: ARRA High Speed Rail FAQ’s

Recent News Articles

December 4, 2009 – FRA – White House High Speed Rail Conference Highlights
December 4, 2009 – Bloomberg News – GE and Siemens Eye Rail Market
November 23, 2009 – Scientific American – 2009 High Speed Rail Projects Aim to Catch Up

October 24, 2009  State Journal-register (High Speed Rail Spending a Boon to Freight)
October 20, 2009  AP – (Hi-speed rail advocates say $8B is just a start)
October 7, 2009    AP – ($50B in high-speed rail applications submitted)
October 6, 2009    AP – (High-speed rail projects to be chosen this winter)

Recent News Articles – September

September 24, 2009   The Daily News Online – (Schumer pushes for high-speed rail funding)
September 22, 2009   Pasadena Star-News – (High speed rail authorities to seek $4.5 billion in federal funds)
September 8, 2009     Wall Street Journal – (Race Is On to Grab Stake in Rail Effort)
September 4, 2009     NPR – (Midwestern States All Aboard High Speed Rail Push)
September 1, 2009     Scarlet Scuttlebutt – (High Speed Rail is Practial U.S. Option)
NPR – (Some Regions Better Prepared for High Speed Rail)

Older News Articles

August 24, 2009   CQpolitics.com – (Deadline Day for Obama’s High-Speed Rail Stimulus)
August 22, 2008   BND.com – (High-speed rail action coming soon)
August 8, 2009     Indianapolis Star – (Stimulus Funds Bring Jobs to Beech Grove)
August 7, 2009     Indianapolis Star – (Obama’s High Speed Rail Proposal Gets Thumbs Up)
July 20, 2009      AP – (Amtrak’s Billion Dollar Facelift)
July 20, 2009      AP – (Boost to High Speed Rail)
July 8, 2009        OregonLive.com – (The long wait for fast trains)
July 9, 2009        Indiana’s NewsCenter – (High Speed Stimilus Money)
June 28, 2009    Richmond Times Dispatch (Rebirth of Intercity Passenger Service)
June 19, 2009    AP – (Obama Better U.S. Rail)
June 3, 2009      Multiple releases –  ( Biden and LaHood Meet With Many State Leaders)
Philly.com –  (Biden: $8 billion targeted for high-speed rail)
June 1, 2009      National Journal Transportation Blog –   (Mass Transit Operating Expenses)

White House Statements and Press Releases

Click here to read the White House high-speed rail press release.
Click here for the White House plan highlights.
Click here for a map showing the corridor locations.
Click here for the White House overall strategic plan.

Updated December 4, 2009

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