Who says America isn't ready for high-speed rail?

This morning I announced $2 billion for high-speed rail projects across America, and I have been energized by the tremendous response.

Whether people live near the Northeast Corridor, in the Midwest, or elsewhere, everyone is excited about the prospect of getting on a train and getting to their destination quickly, safely, comfortably, and affordably.  They're excited about hassle-free rides that help them avoid slogging through highway traffic or airport security.  And they're excited about being able to use their travel time--whether to relax or get some work done. 

The targeted investments we announced today will help them do exactly that.

In the Northeast Corridor, for example, we're awarding $795 million to upgrade some of the most heavily-used sections of the corridor. The investments will increase speeds from 135 to 160 miles per hour on critical segments, improve on-time performance and add more seats for passengers.

We're allotting $295 million in New York, for example, to alleviate major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan, with new routes that allow trains to bypass the busiest passenger rail junction in the nation.  Anyone who was stuck in this morning's delays could certainly appreciate that. 

In New York with U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Chuck Schumer

As U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer said, “This will unravel the spaghetti of confusing lines and signals that slow down traffic throughout the New York metropolitan area and the Northeast Corridor.”

In the Midwest, we're providing $404.1 million to expand high-speed rail service.

To rehabilitate track and signal systems and bring trains up to speeds of 110 mph on a 235-mile section of the Chicago-to-Detroit corridor, we're granting Michigan $196.5 million.  And $268.2 million will purchase 48 high-performance passenger rail cars and 7 quick-acceleration locomotives for 8 corridors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri.

At the signing ceremony in Detroit

I'm not the only Republican who's ready to see this route improved.  Michigan Governor Rick Snyder noted that Michigan is ready for other transportation investments, but he agreed "Rail is a critical component."

The way that leaders from both major parties in Michigan came together reminds me that there are no Republican or Democratic roads or rails.  And what I saw today in the Motor City made it crystal clear to me that--thanks to Mayor Bing and others--Detroit is truly on the move.

Those are just a few examples of today's selective awards.  There's also $450 million to Amtrak to boost capacity, reliability, and speed on a system that continues enjoying record-high ridership. 

And there are many other awards, honoring smart, manageable projects that will really advance U.S. high-speed passenger rail.  As I said on Morning Joe today, we're not talking about 10 or 20 years--some of the projects we've invested in today will have passengers speeding to their destinations within 3-5 years.

Remember, we're not just talking about quicker, more convenient travel.  We're talking about jobs. We're talking about opportunities for economic development.  We're talking about cutting dependence on foreign oil, reducing tailpipe emissions, and easing congestion so commercial drivers can avoid highway freight bottlenecks.

These are practical benefits our nation needs, and they would not be possible without today's awards.  That's why the people of New York are happy. That's why the people of Detroit are happy.  And that's why, from coast-to-coast, America is abuzz today with the news that the high-speed train is just around the bend.

Comments

[Katherine]

Will be allowed to travel on these high speed rails with firearms safetly secured in locked boxes like we do when we fly? Or when we travel by car?

[Ben Buchwalter]

I'm so happy that Secretary LaHood is such an avid supporter of high-speed rail. I live in California now, but I was visiting the East Coast last week. It was a jam packed trip, with days in New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. The trip would have been so much more difficult and complicated if each of these cities were not connected by a strong rail network. It definitely shows how much better things could be out here in California!

[Nick Matzke]

I'm a bit disappointed that Secretary LaHood didn't make a comparison to the profitability (or lack thereof) of road infrastructure. Or the safety of it. When compared to roads, rail starts to make much, much more sense.

[Beth Crowe]

High speed rail is a great investment in our country & it's people. Glad the Midwest will share in this progress.

Question though-How about a rail line from Indianapolis to Chicago? I would think a lot of people who make that drive on I-65 would gladly leave cars @home a hop on a train to Chicago.

[maglev news]

Sec. LaHood. The US would like to know... why we (the U.S.) keep on investing in so-called "upgrades" to HSR (135 to 160mph) when we can purchase a true HSR 250+mph MAGLEV technology to support the CA/NV Maglev project... this will connect (3) airports, and connections to the ARTIC project in Anaheim and the CAHSR, and being able to go over the Cajon Pass.

If President Obama is asking for "something we all saw during the Olympics in China" how come its not supported? The $45M that was legally set aside specifically for MAGLEV has still not been released yet, how come?

MAGLEV is a TRUE High-Speed train (not 160 mph), with a higher on-time percentage....Lets invest in the future, not in older, higher maintenance projects!

Thanks for your reply!

[Jonas Brothers]

Sec. LaHood, why are the federal gov. not supporting the best technology when it comes to safety, speed, energy consumption and maintenance in HSR transport, i.e. Maglev?

For some reason the federal gov. seems to support the Desert Xpress project in the bid to connect Las Vegas with the Los Angeles basin. The Desert Xpress is basically a train to nowhere, and it only travels at speed up to 160mph, draws more energy and are prone to derailment in this earthquake country.

The popular opponent, being what the inhabitants, and local officials of the cities of the proposed route want, is the California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project. This ultra modern and superior technology will not stop half way to LA (Victorville) but take you all the way to Anaheim connecting 3 airports on the way, and it will take you double the distance in the same time as the Desert Xpress takes to travel half the distance. Btw: Desert Xpress doesn't connect to any airport or rail/commuter link.

The Maglev travels at speeds up to and over 300mph, at that speed it draws less energy than the Desert Xpress traveling at half that speed. It makes much less noice emission than the Desert Xpress traveling at half the speed.

Maglev needs much less maintenance (cheaper), personell to run (cheaper) and construction costs are the same per mile as the Desert Xpress. The Maglev also need much less land for it's guideway and stations than the Desert Xpress, which will make it easier to construct in heavily populated areas.

California is Earthquake country and since the Maglev grips it's track it is extremely unlikely to derail during an earthquake, something that can't be said of the Desert Xpress.

So why don't you Sec. LaHood, get behind a project with all the qualities of The California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project? Why back a technologically inferior and unpopular project like the Desert Xpress?

[Thomas Baxter]

Why isn't the US government supporting a high speed Maglev line between Las Vegas and Anaheim?

[Pat]

Thanks for sending most of the money to the Northeast where ALL of our governors support rail!

Florida and Wisconsin are the losers. Sorry.