America has a future to win; DOT stands ready to help

Last night, in his State of the Union address, President Obama said, "We are poised for progress." The President offered five ways to achieve that progress--innovation, education, rebuilding, reform, and responsibility. He also declared that we will measure that progress, "by the success of our people," "by the jobs they can find," and "by the opportunities for a better life we pass on to our children."

"That," he said, "is the project the American people want us to work on."

Today, I am here to say that the Department of Transportation will do whatever we can to help this nation win the future the President described.

White House photo, credit: Chuck Kennedy

And, while DOT has much to contribute in terms of education, reform, and responsibility, our experience indicates we are particularly prepared for innovation and infrastructure.

About this nation, the President said, "We do big things." And nowhere is that more true than at the Department of Transportation. The new Hoover Dam Bridge, for example, demonstrates how DOT supports innovation to solve America's complex challenges.

 

So when the President says, "To win the future, we will have to take on challenges that have been decades in the making," we at DOT stand absolutely ready to do more big things.

That's why I was pleased to hear him reassert his bold vision for an innovative American passenger rail network:

"Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80% of Americans access to high-speed rail, which could allow you to go places in half the time it takes to travel by car. For some trips, it will be faster than flying. As we speak, routes in California and the Midwest are already underway."

As the President said last night, American businesses and workers are now competing in a global economy. If we are to thrive in competitive markets, we must be able to move goods and people faster and more reliably than ever.

At DOT we have been working hard to help do just that. And the projects we are supporting to rebuild America's transportation infrastructure are creating good jobs for American workers.

So I appreciate the confidence the President expressed in this Department when he said:

"Over the last two years, we have begun rebuilding for the 21st century, a project that has meant thousands of good jobs for the hard-hit construction industry. Tonight, I’m proposing that we redouble these efforts.

Now, the President did say, "We must do better," and I couldn't agree more.

But he and I also know that, "We can do better."

After all, "We are," as President Obama said, "the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers."

The DOT is ready. America is ready.

Let's get behind innovation to move our nation ahead. Let's build tomorrow's infrastructure today. Let's fix what needs fixing and move forward.

We've got a future to win; let's get started.

Watch a replay of The State of the Union 2011: Winning the Future

Comments

[James T]

The vision for an expansive high speed rail network is very encouraging. Let's make sure that bicycle infrastructure is included in future planning as well. Bikes and trains are a great combination that can cover a wide range of transportation needs for many people.

[Patrick Boyle]

I would love to do my part to help the country build the vision that was laid out by the President.

I have been formally trained in Science and Engineering, I have decades of technology experience as well as an interest in advanced transportation systems and alternative energy. Yet I remain unemployed since September of 2009 despite hundreds of job applications. I can't even get an interview.

What the President missed is the reality of the job market in this country. There are millions of capable and motivated people like myself who just want to contribute to society but are not allowed to.

So here is my question to you Mr. Secretary, where are the jobs and how do I get one?

Pat Boyle
http://www.linkedin.com/in/patboyle60

[HiSpeedRailNews]

May we please use part of this video in our weekly online news segment? We will be producing on Friday and would love to refer to the President's mention of High Speed Rail. Thank you!

[Milton Chapman]

He might have not asked the people who live by the bridge why they are complaning about the bridge and the traffic coming from it how about checking before bragging about some thing that was done long before he took office. Just like the a politician. Now that the bridge is open the locals are complaing about the trucks why do they think they built the bridge so it would look pretty looking out there fancy homes .

[BillB]

Bravo Mr. President , Well Said Mr. Secretary !
We need a new I-5 Bridge here in Portland over the Mighty Columbia.Just ask Intel and Nike , our best employers.
The CRC Multi-Modal Bridge is shovel ready , ask Senator Murray. To make it a world-leading bridge for the future , try the Park Roof Concept illustrated at the link below. It has tremendous cost and environmental benefits. It will create a breath-taking Landmark for the Obama Administration!

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=127810849697704800

[Michael E. Bailey]

Major projects like high speed rail and building the new suspension bridge across the channel at San Pedro will make the whole transportation system more efficient. So will new technologies like the Proterra quick recharging all-electric powered bus and the new wireless anti-collision systems. The future is bright and public-private partnerships can play a critical role in bringing futuristic technologies into reality faster. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.