Railroads

Partnership Positions GE as first U.S. High-Speed Rail Locomotive Manufacturer

Erie, Pa., USA and Beijing, China (Nov. 17, 2009) - GE and China’s Ministry of Railways today announced that they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly advance high-speed rail (HSR) opportunities in the United States. This collaboration will allow GE Transportation to be the first U.S. locomotive manufacturer to more effectively compete for high-speed rail projects against global competitors.

In addition, the partnership would accelerate GE’s passenger rail technologies and create in the near future up to 150 high technology jobs in the U.S. The announcement was made as part of "GE's Clean Technology Week in China" activities.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter said that a new hearing in Congress on the benefits of high-speed rail demonstrates again that the projects can spark economic growth, new jobs and improved quality of life. Slaughter has been a leader in New York in pushing for creation of a new efficient high speed corridor between Albany and Buffalo and has worked closely with federal, state and local officials to bring the plan to fruition.    » read more »

15 October 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today received a firm commitment from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that the long-awaited Little Rock-Memphis High Speed Rail Study will be started next year.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - The Subcommittee is meeting today to hear testimony on high-speed rail in the United States. The dream of high-speed rail in America is finally coming true. In 2007, this subcommittee held a hearing to listen to the experiences of international operators and other countries in developing high-speed rail. Their advice was to invest, get a high-speed rail line operating, and once everyone saw it working they would want it for their area: Build it and they will come!    » read more »

Light Rail Extension Will Expand Sacramento’s Core

October 12, 2009 -- SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) joined local community leaders for the groundbreaking ceremony of Regional Transit’s Green Line. The event marked the start of construction on RT’s light rail extension to Richards Boulevard, part of the Downtown-Natomas-Airport (DNA) master plan to connect Sacramento’s downtown core to Natomas, and eventually Sacramento International Airport. Representative Matsui’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28) today said the state’s $11.6 billion request for additional stimulus funds to improve high-speed rail service from Niagara Falls to New York City will help spark new economic growth.

“This application is an important step forward in building a better economic future for New York,” said Slaughter. “High-speed rail has the potential to expand our regional workforce, improve commerce, generate new tourism opportunities and spark revitalization in our region for years to come. Eventually I hope to connect the Empire Corridor to Toronto, Montreal and back down to Albany creating a large economic development center.”    » read more »

State Seeking $11.6 Billion in Federal Economic Recovery Grants to Develop Empire Corridor

October 6, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has applied for $11.6 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to improve high-speed rail service along the Empire Corridor between New York City and Niagara Falls.    » read more »

October 5, 2009 -- Portland, OR – A preliminary study of the Pioneer Line needs to more fully explore key issues of cost and ridership before Congress can make a decision about restoring passenger rail service to Eastern Oregon, Senator Ron Wyden said in a letter to the president and CEO of Amtrak.

“It is apparent that the Pioneer has the potential to greatly benefit the State of Oregon by providing an alternative means of passenger transportation,” Wyden said in the letter to Joseph H. Boardman. “However, the current report does not fully explore several important issues, thus preventing Congress from making an educated decision about the line.”    » read more »

Members of Ohio’s Congressional Delegation Write to DOT Urging Economic Recovery Funds for Ohio’s High Speed Rail Application

October 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) in support of Ohio’s application for economic recovery funds for high speed rail. In addition to Brown, the letter urging support for passenger rail connecting Ohio’s largest cities was signed by U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-OH) and U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Steve LaTourette, Dennis Kucinich, Tim Ryan, Michael Turner, Zack Space, Betty Sutton, Charlie Wilson, Marcia Fudge, John Boccieri, Steve Driehaus, and Mary Jo Kilroy.    » read more »

October 2, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) announced her support for California’s bid for more than $4.7 billion in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to advance the engineering, design and construction of high-speed rail throughout the state.

Senator Boxer said, “I am pleased to support the request that the California High-Speed Rail Authority is making today. California voters have already committed nearly $10 billion in state bonds for this effort. This investment of federal high-speed rail funds could help us create more than 130,000 jobs in California, reduce air pollution and congestion on our roads, and accelerate our push for a cleaner and more efficient transportation system.”    » read more »

October 02, 2009 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today the state submitted an application to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for federal funds to develop a $651.8 million high-speed passenger rail line between Milwaukee and Madison.

“I have been working hard work with federal partners to move Wisconsin into a new era of passenger rail service and this application is a big step towards that goal,” Governor Doyle said. “I have long believed that passenger rail is the missing link in our national transportation policy, and bringing passenger rail service to this area will create high-skilled jobs, spur economic growth, and make travel safe and comfortable.”    » read more »

$1.8 billion in ARRA funds would raise passenger rail speed to 90 MPH along busy I-95 corridor

October 02, 2009 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia has submitted its second application for funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) to develop the I-95 Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor. The application for approximately $1.8 billion would fund 19 projects along the Petersburg to Washington, D.C. section of the Corridor and raise passenger rail speed to up to 90 MPH by 2017.    » read more »

Projects total over $5 billion

10/2/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced today that North Carolina submitted the second round of high speed rail applications for competitive funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). North Carolina is applying for funds totaling more than $5 billion for four projects to help further develop the federally designated Southeast High Speed Rail (SEHSR) Corridor.

“These projects are critical for communities throughout our state,” Perdue said. “North Carolina’s commitment to rail puts us in strong contention for these funds.”    » read more »

Pledging State Matching Funds, Proposal to Provide $10 Billion Economic Boost to California and Create Nearly 130,000

10/02/2009 -- Joined by federal, state and local officials in united support, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced his submission of the state’s application for nearly $4.7 billion in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding for engineering, design and construction on California’s high-speed train system.

Pledging a dollar-for-dollar match from state and local funds, including the high-speed rail bond passed by California voters in November 2008, the state’s application would generate a nearly $10 billion investment. This funding would collectively create nearly 130,000 jobs throughout California.    » read more »

Funding critical to begin planning for construction of “the fastest train in the world”

September 16, 2009 -- Carson City - Nevada Governor Gibbons today announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has approved a work plan and is issuing a contract that will enable final design, engineering and environmental approvals necessary to build the starter segment of “the fastest train in the world” right here in Nevada.    » read more »