Northeast Corridor Commission; a regional rail partnership is born

The states of the Northeast rail corridor are a diverse group. They have different economic strengths and different populations. But their representatives in the newly formed Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission are working together for one simple reason: they want high-speed intercity passenger rail service.

Earlier this week, the unprecedented regional partnership met for the first time, and I know the commission will help us write the next chapter in the emerging story of American high-speed rail.

Everyone familiar with the Northeast rail corridor knows the rail line is already woven into the social and economic fabric of the region. Commission members also recognize the crucial need for expansion and improvement to accommodate their growing populations, the region's congested roadways, and the demand for sustainable transportation options. And they understand the value high-speed rail promises.

On Tuesday, Amtrak unveiled its new vision for the Northeast Corridor: Washington to Boston in 3 hours.

It's a bold goal, and we have some work to do before we achieve it. But, it was a similar resolve that led to the creation of the interstate highway system--a system that forever changed the way America travels.

Today, the Obama Administration is working to achieve a vision of similar scope and scale. As with the interstate highways during the 1950s, we haven’t yet drawn all the lines on the map. But we are on track to creating a modern, high-speed rail system that will support sustained economic growth.

President Obama and I welcome the ambition of Amtrak's thinking, and we hope to see it spread across the nation as Americans recognize and demand the benefits of high-speed rail.

Because this train will not be stopped. And I promise you: In less time than it took to plan and pave our vast system of inter-connected highways, you will see high-speed trains carry significant numbers of Americans within and between regions.

And if you weren't sure how strongly this administration supports rail transportation, look no further than the vision President Obama laid out in September when he committed the US to laying and maintaining 4,000 miles of track for freight, commuter, and passenger rail. That’s enough track to stretch from coast to coast.

This investment will set the stage for job creation, regional growth, and sustainable economic competitiveness.

This is truly an exciting time--for the Northeast corridor, for us at DOT, and for the American people.  And, as we embark upon this historic game-changing passenger rail network, I know the members of the Northeast Corridor Commission will be terrific partners.  

 

Comments

[Tom West]

It would be even better if there was a long-term funding strategy in place to ensure the vision is implemented.

[SR22 Insurance]

Awesome! We all want high-speed intercity passenger rail service!

[Froggie]

Administration support is all well-and-good. But Congress holds the purse strings. HSR talk is just that...talk...without the funding to back it up.

[Kiril]

Hi, Sec LaHood or your assistant,
I was wondering if this commitment to building new rail has gotten to the point of having potential rail routes prioritized yet. I'm in New Orleans and have long wanted a rail option from here to Houston. It's clear (and shown in your pdf report) that the area of the Gulf Coast from Mobile to Houston is emerging as a cohesive region, so will this be a priority construction project?
Thanks.

[Carroll]

I'm glad to see all these different areas getting high speed rail service. I hope one day they will all link together to provide high speed rail service from coast to coast.

[Findinfoworld.wordpress.com]

My question is, does the cost out-weighed any so-called benefit. If these trains are going to go 200 to 300 mph, I'd would say I'm all for it. However, if we're talking about a slow 75 to 100 mph then this is just a waste of time and money. I would like to find info that will go into deeper detail on this subject.

[Collins Pt]

Great topic here.
Work of many people on this issue of plastic, there are several plastic materials recycling organic-based view. In February, for example, Imperial College London and bioceramic drug polymer biodegradable plastic from sugar derived from the decay of lignocellulosic biomass. There is also an existing plant more corn starch and plastics based on paper, including household goods and food packaging, bioplastics toys, plastic dynamic Cereplast. Metabolix also several lines of plastic products from corn, in cooperation with partner companies.

[Donald Monteith]

When will the Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin Rail projects be funded, and are there any additional projects to be funded in Michigan? We sure need these projects started, and a schedule of work to be done this year and next year.
I know that planning takes time, but it's getting close to 2 years since these were talked about! You/we need to get this info out in the next 2 weeks, or they could be thrown in the trashcan by the election!
Sincerely, Donald Monteith MARP-Chairman,Northern Region
e-mail: da@chartermi.net
Phone:(231)547-6864
Address: 5890 M-66 North
P.O.Box 756
Charlevoix, MI. 49720

[(Mr.) Kim Gyr]

We now have the unique opportunity to leapfrog over the looming peak oil and global climate change challenges by building Linear Ecocities, while we still have the energy to do that. Please remember that 99% of our current infrastructure was built in the last 200 years, which is only 2 times the 5 generations that we meet in our own families!

Please see my suggestions for the world's first 100% sustainable infrastructure on my website at, www.greenmillennium.eu

Thank you very much for your concern and commitment!!!

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Kim Gyr

[SR22 Insurance]

I was just talking about why the U.S. doesn't have high speed trains. We would love to travel via train across the country but not until it is high speed. The U.S.A. needs to have better transportation infrastructure.

[Tom venuto]

I think it's great how different areas are getting the service, thats what i like to see.

[sr22]

Love these trains!!!

[Lev]

In France we have one of the best train system and it makes distance shorter.
You take the train at the train station not in a airport, it saves you a lot of headackes.

[Asheville Photographer - Blue Bend Photography]

I lived in Europe for 5 years without a car. I wish all the time that the US had something like the European Rail system.