Welcome to the FastLane: The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation

DOT forum seeks solutions to airplane diversion challenges

At DOT, when we talk about commercial aviation, our goals are simple.  We want to make sure passengers get to their destinations safely, on time, and with the respect they deserve.  Our forum on Flight Diversions, held earlier today, is one more step toward that goal.

We have already taken a number of actions to define and protect passenger rights and safety. In April 2010, we put in place a rule that limits the amount of time that passengers can sit in planes stuck on the tarmac – one of our landmark successes. This past summer, we followed up with additional measures, including an extension of our tarmac delay ban to international flights at U.S. airports and domestic flights at small-hub and regional airports.

But, the winter storm of October 29 demonstrated the challenges we still face in managing flight diversions. These challenges involve DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration, but also other stakeholders: airlines; flight crews; dispatchers; and airport security, maintenance and operations personnel. During an unusual event, the actions of one of these groups can improve or impede the effectiveness of others.

At today's forum, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt laid out many of the factors that were in play during the storm on the 29th, but more importantly today’s event was about looking forward.  We brought together key sectors of the aviation community to talk about ways that we can share information better and collaborate to avoid a repeat of October 29 as we head into the winter travel season.

DOT, NHTSA unveil new website to engage teens on distracted driving

The new "OMG" public service announcements are not the only thing we've been working on to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.  Earlier this week, we also unveiled a new website to educate young drivers and help them get involved in our safety campaign.

I've been saying it for nearly three years, and it remains true: at DOT, safety is our number one priority.  And that's why we created Distraction.gov/teens.  The site is designed to inform teens about the hazards and different types of distracted driving, involve them in signing a pledge to not drive distracted, and inspire action when they see someone else engaging in this risky behavior.

We know that our youngest drivers are the most likely to get into a distraction-related crash.  But for most parents, telling your teenagers not to text or talk on a cell phone while driving doesn't guarantee safe behavior.  So we're trying a different angle entirely: create a visually appealing environment, show them the facts about distracted driving in plain language, and encourage them make their own safe decisions. 

The website's landing page features a simulator challenge that begins to introduce young drivers to the dangers of distracted driving in a safe, videogame-like environment. From there, we explain the facts about distraction and share some eye-opening statistics. Site visitors impressed by these facts and stats can choose to sign an online pledge to drive distraction-free.

And for those who are even more motivated, the new site moves smoothly from "Take the Pledge" to "Get Involved."  Whether it's sharing our PSAs or changing their default picture to one of our Facebook and Twitter avatars, we're making it easy for young people to bring this important message to their peers.

But young drivers are only one part of the distracted driving problem. So we also redesigned our entire Distraction.gov website.

FMCSA finalizes hand-held cell phone ban for commercial drivers

If you're looking for some of America's safest drivers, it's easy to find them behind the wheel of our nation's large trucks and buses.  Safe driving is their livelihood, and I know that most of them take safety as seriously as we do at DOT.

And that applies to talking on a cell phone behind the wheel. As one commercial driver, Tim Cox, told a Texas news program recently, "If it's in the truck while I'm driving I don't answer it; I don't text.  It's just too dangerous; you're endangering your life and the lives of others."

But, because of the size of their vehicles and the weight of the loads they carry for us, when drivers of large trucks, buses, and hazardous materials lose their focus for even a few seconds, the outcome can be deadly.

So last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a final rule specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles.  Through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, drivers hauling hazardous materials within a state are also included in the ban.

Research from FMCSA shows that using a hand-held cell phone while driving requires a commercial driver to take several risky steps beyond what is required for using a hands-free mobile phone. Commercial drivers reaching for an object, such as a cell phone, are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event.  Dialing a hand-held cell phone makes it six times more likely that commercial drivers will be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event.

The new rule--the next step in an ongoing process--will save lives and prevent injuries by helping commercial drivers stay laser-focused on safety at all times while behind the wheel. 

Expanding Houston light rail will create more transportation choices, more jobs

As I’ve mentioned before, the Obama Administration is committed to getting job-creating projects funded and under way more quickly in order to put people back to work, and to restore some of the economic security that middle-class folks have felt slipping away for the last few decades.

Yesterday, DOT took an important step in this process when Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff signed two agreements providing $900 million to extend Houston’s light rail system by an additional 12 miles.

America's fourth largest city deserves a world class transit system that will meet the region's needs for the 21st century, and the investments we're making will help accomplish that.

Because everything's bigger in Texas, Administrator Rogoff joined an extraordinary group of state and local leaders who helped make this important day possible for Houston, including Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Representatives Gene Green, Al Green, and Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, and officials from Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County.

Listen to KUHF News: Houston Metro Funding Ceremony

These leaders know that light rail makes sense for Houston.  The Main Street Red Line, Houston’s first light rail service, offers undeniable proof. This line carries an extraordinary 45,000 passengers per day--well ahead of expectations--making it the nation’s most heavily traveled per track mile.

The new light rail segments, the North and Southeast lines, are scheduled to open for service in 2015 and will provide alternatives to two congested highways, Interstate 45 and U.S. Route 59. They are expected to carry more than 58,000 riders on weekdays, including more than 13,000 new transit riders each day, by the year 2030.

Regal Cinemas and Outcast's PumpTop TV join “One Text or Call Could Wreck It All” campaign;both to feature new “OMG” PSA

With the holiday season upon us, newer drivers--whether home on college break or out of high school for winter vacation--will be taking to our roadways in greater number.  And at DOT, we’re trying to reach them wherever we can with two new distracted driving awareness ads.

This week, that means we'll see them in the movies...and at the gas pumps.

Thanks to the generosity of our newest safety partners, Regal Entertainment Group and Outcast's PumpTop TV, we're bringing the “One Text or Call” campaign to what may be our largest audience ever through our new “OMG” Public Service Announcements (PSAs).

All this week, a version of the new “OMG” ad geared towards teens will run exclusively on 6,589 movie screens in 526 cinemas owned and operated by Regal Entertainment Group across the country.  And throughout December, a different version will air on the 12,000 screens operated by Outcast’s PumpTop TV at high-traffic gas stations across the United States.

“It’s so important that we educate young drivers of the dangers of distracted driving and help them make smart decisions that will keep them safe during the holiday season and beyond,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

 

USMMA budget for 2012 reflects DOT commitment

When it comes to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, providing a top-notch education for all of the Kings Point midshipmen is my main priority.  To help achieve that, we have worked hard to make a comprehensive investment in the academy and its campus so that students, faculty, and staff have the resources to study, live, teach and work.

That's why I'm happy to let the Kings Point community know that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will be seeing a 2012 budget that provides an unprecedented $85.2 million for the service academy.  That's a 15 percent increase above 2011 funding levels, and the largest amount received since the Academy’s inception. 

The budget signed last week by President Obama includes:

• $22.9 million for capital improvements--up 53 percent from 2011--including $17 million to begin renovating the remaining barracks;
• $5.9 million from the capital improvement program dedicated to a multi-year facilities maintenance and repair program; and
• $62.3 million for operations.

Small Business Saturday celebrates the backbone of America

If you have a television or subscribe to a newspaper, then you’ve heard of Black Friday. And if you're an avid web surfer, you've probably also heard of Cyber Monday. But, did you know that today--the Saturday after Thanksgiving--is Small Business Saturday?

To help give America's small businesses a healthy boost to the holiday season, President Obama is encouraging everyone to visit or shop today at local small businesses. And those of us who serve in this Administration are jumping in with both feet.

Local small businesses like Peoria's Main Street Jeweler know what local residents want.
Photo courtesy Fred Zwicky, Peoria Journal-Star

Earlier today, I visited my favorite spots in my hometown of Peoria. As I do every year, I stopped in at Peoria Camera to order our family holiday card, where they have a ton of designs for us to choose from. The folks there always help us pick just the right card, and today was no different. Thanks, guys!

From there, I visited some of the other stores at Peoria's Metro Centre. Metro Centre is a shopping center that really lives up to its motto, "By Peoria, For Peoria." From the camera shop to Holmes Shoes--an Illinois tradition since 1887--the small businesses at Metro Centre are run by Peorians who know what Peorians want.

At the Spotted Cow with Vice President Biden in April 2010

Of course, no trip to Peoria is complete without a cup of coffee or a scoop or two of ice cream at the Spotted Cow or a shoeshine at George's, two very popular small businesses here.

From the mom-and-pop storefronts that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy. These businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America, helping spur economic development in communities across our country and giving millions of families and individuals the opportunity to achieve the American dream.

George Manias of George's Shoeshine shows Vice President Biden how it's been done for 63 years.

MADD's "Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving" marks five years of results

While we have made great strides over the last 30 years, drunk driving is still the deadliest epidemic on our roads, killing 11,000 people each year. And we at DOT remain committed to ending this dangerous and deadly behavior. 

One of DOT’s key partners in this fight has been Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and earlier this month I was pleased to join National President Jan Withers and other MADD officials to celebrate the fifth anniversary of their Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

As the holiday season gets underway, the event was a chance to remind drivers that the next six weeks are when drunk driving crashes are most prevalent in America.

This was also an opportunity to thank MADD for their tremendous advocacy and leadership, mark our progress in getting drunk drivers off the road, and measure the distance we have yet to travel.

Since MADD’s inception in 1980, drunk driving-related fatalities have declined by more than 40 percent. Because of strong laws, consistent enforcement, and increasing public education, America’s roads are the safest they’ve ever been.

But our work is far from done. 

Amtrak heroes a reminder of our good fortune

There is much to be thankful for this year: The health of family and friends, our own hard work and accomplishments, the achievements of colleagues, even the small triumphs of our daily lives. Tomorrow at their Thanksgiving tables, a number of families will gratefully recall the heroism of Amtrak conductors Richard d'Alessandro and Loxie Sanders. Earlier this year, these two men bravely risked their own lives to rescue passengers from a burning train.

On the morning of June 24, Amtrak's California Zephyr, with 204 passengers and 14 crew members, was traveling from Chicago to Emeryville, CA, when it was struck by a tractor-trailer near Reno, NV. Mr. Sanders was off duty and traveling with his family, while Mr. d’Alessandro was serving as assistant conductor when the collision took place.

Mr. d’Alessandro was knocked unconscious by the impact of the truck. He awoke in the desert near the tracks with a broken arm and a finger missing, yet his first thought was the safety of the passengers still aboard. He picked up his radio and called for help, before re-entering the burning wreckage.

D’Alessandro made his way through the smoke-filled hallways, ignoring his own injuries, and rescuing every injured and bewildered passenger in his path. He led each to safety through emergency windows until everyone was clear. But even then, he did not rest; instead, he found water and began distributing it to the elderly.

Meanwhile, Loxie Sanders began guiding disoriented passengers--one by one--through the dark smoke, out the emergency windows, and down to safety 10 feet below. He finally exited, choked by smoke and severely burned.

USMMA men's soccer has plenty to be thankful for this season

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it's only natural for DOT to take stock of some of the things we're grateful for this year. At the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point, NY, men’s soccer coach Michael Smolens is thankful for the fantastic season his team had this year.

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to see these hard-working athletes in person, when Maritime Administrator David Matsuda and I watched the third-seeded Mariners face top-seeded Catholic University in an exciting match for the Landmark Conference crown.

With the game tied 0-0 at halftime, the Mariners needed a big second half play to notch the win. Junior forward Cody Kessler scored the lone goal of the match, allowing the team to beat Catholic 1-0. The win allowed the team to earn a spot in their third consecutive NCAA Division III tournament.

Junior goalkeeper Gary Poulin was also a key asset during the game, as the Mariners were outshot by Catholic 8-26. His success was even more remarkable considering that he broke his leg during pre-season training and missed the season’s first five games. With the Mariners needing to win all three of their final games on the road to qualify for the NCAA tournament, Gary's gritty recovery from that injury turned out to be a real difference maker.

While they ultimately lost to Rutgers University-Camden in the first round of the tournament, Coach Smolens and his team are deservedly proud of their season:

“Winning the conference and going to our 3rd straight NCAA tournament were terrific, but the most important aspect is how our players showed that they could rise to the occasion when the stakes were at their highest.  It was exciting to have Secretary LaHood, Administrator Matsuda, and so many Kings Point alumni and family members support the team in our conference championship in DC, and it was a Landmark title that no one on the team will ever forget."
 

Connecticut busway will ease commutes, create jobs

If commuters in Connecticut need something to be thankful for this week, they got it this morning when the Federal Transit Administration signed an agreement with the Connecticut DOT to help fund the state's first bus rapid transit system.

When the New Britain-Hartford Busway is complete in two years, riders will be able to board buses at several stations, then bypass cars stuck in traffic on I-84 and reach work and other destinations quickly.  The project will include 11 stations, park and ride connections to other suburban transit service, and 31 new clean-fuel buses serving New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, and Hartford.  The Busway will also connect passengers to Amtrak intercity rail service at Hartford’s Union Station.

The project will use an abandoned railroad right-of-way that runs between downtown New Britain and Hartford.  Transforming this route into a busway and building stations is expected to create 4,000 construction jobs.

FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff with Connecticut Governor Daniel P. Malloy

As FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff said this morning in Hartford:

“This forward-thinking transportation solution will change the way Connecticut’s commuters get to work and school, while creating thousands of jobs right now at a time when they are needed most   This is a long-overdue project that will help people spend less time sitting in punishing traffic along I-84."

Safe driving is important, before and after Thanksgiving

We all know that the roads will be crowded this week; according to AAA, 42.5 million Americans will travel this week, with 9 out of every 10 of those travelers hitting the highway.  As Perry Como sang in 1954's Home for the Holidays, “From Atlantic to Pacific, gee the traffic is terrific.”

And while everyone heads out to visit family and friends or pick up last-minute groceries for a holiday meal, the skies in some communities can fill with snow and roads can become icy.  Snow, ice, and driver impatience can combine for dangerous driving conditions, especially when drivers are thinking about their destination and aren't fully focused on the road right in front of them.

Distraction of any kind while driving can be deadly, so the folks at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourage you to make sure you are paying attention while at the wheel.  They also advise that you:

• TURN OFF your cell phone or give it to a passenger;
• BUCKLE your seat belt; and
• NEVER drive intoxicated

Proposed fuel economy standards a remarkable leap forward

Rarely does a proposed rule draw praise from consumer advocates, environmentalists, and manufacturers.  But--by working with industry partners, and other stakeholders--the Obama Administration did just that this week with proposed fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks in model years 2017 to 2025.

And EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and I were delighted on Wednesday to unveil the details of the proposed rule.  By the year 2025, the average car’s fuel economy will increase from today's 27.5 miles per gallon to the equivalent of 54.5 miles per gallon.  That’s correct; the proposed rule will nearly double the average consumer's gas mileage.

Let's just think about what this means for American families: filling up the car half as often and saving up to $6,600 in fuel costs over the life of a vehicle. Nationwide, when combined with other historic steps this administration has taken to increase energy efficiency, this proposal will save Americans more than $1.7 trillion at the pump. 

And it puts a big dent in our reliance on oil.  In fact, the new rule will cut oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels a day; that's almost a quarter of our current daily oil imports.

NPRC and DOT working toward an America of opportunity

Just a few days ago we learned that, among the nation's largest racial and ethnic groups, a greater share of Hispanics in 2010 lived in poverty than any other group.  So, when I say that nearly everyone in America knows someone looking for work, this is especially true among Latinos.

And yesterday, when I spoke with leaders of the National Puerto Rican Coalition and said that Americans can't wait to see their friends and neighbors back on the job, I saw plenty of heads nodding in agreement. 

The coalition works to improve the well-being of Puerto Ricans throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico.  And because NPRC members have a special focus on the most vulnerable people, they know the kinds of sacrifices that families are making every day.  It's difficult enough to pay the mortgage, gas up the car, or keep the lights on when parents are employed; these difficult economic times complicate that daily struggle.

Our economic challenges were decades in the making.  They won’t be solved overnight.  But even still, there are steps we can take right now to put people back to work and to restore some of the economic security that folks of every creed and color have felt slipping away for the last few decades.

One of these steps is passing the transportation provisions in the American Jobs Act. These would provide an immediate investment in construction jobs upgrading 150,000 miles of road; laying and maintaining 4,000 miles of train tracks; restoring 150 miles of runways; and putting in place a next-generation air traffic control system that will reduce travel times and delays.

Another of these steps is passing a transportation reauthorization--long-term, job-creating legislation that puts people back to work rebuilding roads, bridges, and transit systems, on the mainland and on Puerto Rico.

Amtrak, FRA offer advice for safe holiday train travel

Tuesday, I opened a series of safe holiday travel blogs by offering some simple steps passengers can take to stay safe while flying this holiday season. And yesterday, I shared some advice on safe bus travel.  Today, I've got a few tips for those planning a train trip during the next six weeks.

The first thing you should know is that you won't be alone.  It's been a banner year for Amtrak, with another new ridership record--more than 30 million passengers--achieved. On top of that, Amtrak’s heaviest travel day of the year is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving--last year's ridership on that day set a single-day record of 134,230 passengers.

So, if you’re getting on a train next week or any other day this holiday season, following these suggestions from Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration can make your travels safer and less stressful:

• Allow plenty of time at the station prior to your departure; allow at least 45 minutes if you need to pick up tickets.
• If you haven’t booked your trip yet, consider that suburban stops and stations are often less crowded than downtown locations.
• Tag all luggage with your name and address, and never leave your bags unattended. There is a limit of two carry-on bags per person aboard Amtrak.
• If you see or hear something suspicious or unusual, say something. As part of a planned increased security effort, additional police will be available at stations, so talk to an officer or call Amtrak Police at (800) 331-0008.
• Whether you're traveling on Amtrak or a commuter rail line, always stand back from the edge of the platform and watch your step when boarding and exiting the train.

And if you’re driving, please stay alert near railroad tracks and be sure to obey railroad crossing signals and stop when trains are approaching.

Our passenger rail system will be at its busiest these days, but Amtrak and other regional rail providers are well-prepared to accommodate holiday passengers.  If you're a frequent train traveler, be sure to double-check the schedule for changes.

I hope you'll follow these easy steps to make your journey easier.  But most of all, I hope you have a safe, enjoyable trip this holiday season and whenever you travel.

FTA grants create jobs, promote innovative transportation solutions

Today, the Federal Transit Administration is awarding $112 million in Clean Fuels and TIGGER (Transit Investments in Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction) grants to 46 innovative projects across the country.  These investments will put people back to work building sustainable, energy-efficient transit vehicles and facilities in 23 states.

FTA's Clean Fuels and TIGGER programs support President Obama’s effort to create jobs, improve the environment, and secure America’s energy future. Today's awards will improve public transportation access for millions of Americans while putting people back to work, reducing our dependence on oil, and easing consumers' pain at the gas pump.

Here's a brief sample of the 46 terrific projects that FTA's funds will jump-start:

• In Cincinnati, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority will replace diesel buses at the end of their service life with a fleet of mini-hybrid buses that will save the transit agency money on fuel and reduce harmful emissions.
• In the Philadelphia area, SEPTA will replace diesel buses with hybrid buses.  SEPTA will also install a battery that stores energy generated by braking trains.
• In Southern California, the Long Beach Public Transportation Corporation will replace aging diesel buses on heavily-traveled routes with all-electric, zero-emissions buses.
• And in South Florida, Tri-Rail will build LEED-certified stations that derive more than 100 percent of their energy from solar panels and send excess energy back to the power grid. 

FMCSA offers safety tips for holiday bus travel

Safety is always a priority here at DOT, and we want it to be a priority for you when you travel. This week we're sharing holiday travel safety tips from the experts here at DOT. 

We know that a lot of Americans will choose to travel by bus this holiday season.  America's commercial buses are a safe, affordable choice for your holiday travel. With convenient departure options and comfortable motorcoaches with power outlets and Wi-Fi, it's no wonder people are choosing buses over rising gas prices and crowded airports. In fact, more than 750 million people enjoy bus travel each year.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants to make sure passengers know how to find out about a bus company’s credentials and safety record. They’ve put together a great Safety Checklist, and you can start your safe journey by following these tips:

• Make sure your carrier has operating authority through FMCSA.
• If you're chartering a bus with a group, make sure you read the tips in this brochure.
• Get a Company Snapshot of your carrier’s statistics.
• A recent safety rating is a better indicator than a rating that is several years old.

And, once you’ve booked and boarded, remember to:

• Locate the emergency exit--it could be a window, skylight, or door--nearest your seat and read the instructions.
• If your carrier has provided a seatbelt, make sure you buckle up.
• Refrain from distracting your driver while the bus in motion.
• If you do observe a safety violation, you can help us by submitting a complaint to the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database. 

For more information on safe, stress-free travel, please refer to the FMCSA's Bus/Passenger Safety page. 

And please check back tomorrow on the Fast Lane for more holiday travel safety tips.

High Speed Rail: creating jobs, spurring growth,providing needed capacity

2012 is shaping up to be a year of significant high speed rail activity. In the first part of the year, more than $1 billion in high speed rail construction activity will be underway.  As part of the program, 32 states already have work in progress.  Contracts are being let around the U.S. by states for design work, planning work, construction materials, and supplies.  And all of this comes as Amtrak continues to break ridership records on passenger rail routes across the country.

Over the next 40 years, America will be home to 100 million more people, largely concentrated in regions that make up only 25% of the land mass in the United States where congestion is already costing families and businesses nearly $130 billion each year. This growth will burden our already stressed roadways and airports well beyond their capacities. The cost of those bottlenecks in freight delays, loss of competitiveness, and forfeited productivity will be enormous and will ultimately cost our country jobs.

Without an alternative way of getting people where they're going, our economy will be choked by congestion. High speed rail is that alternative.

It's clear that moving an American high-speed rail network forward will require conversations with those who are not passenger rail's strongest advocates. So I was happy to speak about high-speed rail on Monday at the annual William O. Lipinski Symposium on Transportation at Northwestern University.

In many regions of the country, space is simply not available to expand highways or runways.  In other areas, the costs to expand are outrageous.  For comparably lower costs, connecting high-speed rail to other modes in these congested regions can add desperately needed capacity, improve the performance of all modes, and provide a boost to the entire American economy.

Let me be clear: there is no amount of money that could build enough capacity on our highways and at our airports to keep up with our expected population growth in coming decades. 

The Port of Savannah is moving our economy

This week on the Fast Lane, I’m sharing travel tips for those of you who are getting on a bus, train or plane during the holiday season. But not every mode of transportation has passengers, and let me assure you it’s just as busy for shipping at this time of year. I was reminded of that yesterday, when I traveled to Georgia with freight on my mind.

At the Port of Savannah, I joined Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to tour the nation's fastest-growing port.  Savannah's port is vital to our nation’s economy and national security, and it is an impressive site; the facilities there provide a gateway for 21,000 companies in all 50 states. And the port community is working to grow its operations even more through the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.

Georgia has its act together on transportation, and it shows.  Right now, the Port of Savannah is a huge economic engine; it will be that much stronger if expansion plans are fulfilled.  And in this era of partisanship, when a Republican governor and a Democratic mayor work together to advocate for a project, that gets my attention.

With Gov. Deal, Mayor Reed, and Georgia Ports Authority Exec Dir. Curtis Foltz

I'm always glad to meet with our friends in the freight business because they are absolutely essential to our economic recovery. Whether they’re port officials, shippers, or longshoremen, they’re not just moving the parts and products of agriculture and industry. They are connecting our communities, creating jobs, and moving our economy.

So, ensuring that we can move freight in America faster and more efficiently is among the Obama Administration's highest priorities.

This holiday season, make your flight even safer with these simple travel tips

Another year has passed, and the holiday season is upon us once again.  With tens of millions of Americans set to take to the air next week and throughout the next six weeks, we need travelers to take an active role in aviation safety.

As I’ve mentioned before, we operate the safest transportation system in the world, but we can all take a few simple steps to keep ourselves and our loved ones even safer this holiday season, and every time we fly.

Before you take to the skies, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important guidelines from the Federal Aviation Administration:

• Pay attention to the flight attendant safety briefing at the beginning of your flight and read the safety briefing card.
• Buckle up. Keep you and your family safe by wearing a seat belt at all times while seated.
• Use an approved child safety seat or device if your child weighs less than 40 pounds.
• Prevent in-flight injuries by following your airline’s carry-on bag restrictions.
• When it’s time, turn off your personal electronic device.

You can also find child safety information and the latest on airport status and delays at www.faa.gov/passengers. The site contains important tips on flying with children, including videos on how to properly install your child's safety seat on an airplane.

As Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt said, “I’m asking every passenger to take just a few minutes to follow our safety tips and, most importantly, pay attention to your flight and cabin crew.”

His advice is absolutely right. And I hope everyone who travels by air over the next few weeks follows these tips, and has a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.

For more tips on travel ease and safety, please check back tomorrow on the Fast Lane.

This TIGER packs an infrastructure, jobs punch

The October 31 deadline to apply for DOT's third round of TIGER grants has passed. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that we received applications totaling far more than the $527 million available for this competitive program.  But the $14.1 billion in combined applications does make an impression.

The sheer number of applications--828, from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia--also makes an impression.  The tremendous demand for these grants clearly shows that communities across the country can't wait any longer for crucial upgrades to the roads, bridges, rail lines, and bus routes they rely on every day.

With TIGER grant, this obsolete level junction will be replaced by a rail overpass

And because they can't wait, we won't wait to review their applications.  Earlier this month, President Obama directed DOT to expedite application review and award the TIGER III grants by the end of 2011.  Now, that's months ahead of schedule, and it will mean extra work for our TIGER III team.

But, it also means DOT will be doing what we can to help these communities put men and women back to work solving critical transportation problems.

First fines announced for 2010 tarmac delay rule

In April 2010, we put a three-hour tarmac delay rule in place to protect airline passengers.  And more than a year later, as we head into the holiday travel season, I'm happy to report that the rule is working to keep extended tarmac delays at a minimum. 

In the year before the rule went into effect, airlines reported 693 tarmac delays of more than three hours, and 105 of the delays were longer than four hours.  But in the 12 months after the rule was enacted, there were only 20 reported tarmac delays of more than three hours, none of which was more than four hours long.

However, these delays do still occur, and when they do, we take any violation seriously.

That's why we're announcing today the first fine for a violation of this important passenger protection.  DOT has fined American Eagle $900,000 in civil penalties and has ordered the air carrier to cease and desist from future violations of the tarmac delay rule.

On Veterans Day, caring for those who have borne the battle

It is a great honor to share the heartfelt wishes of the entire DOT community with America's veterans and military families on this Veterans Day.

On Wednesday, I was in Jacksonville at the Duval County Veterans Memorial Wall where we announced our latest effort to help our heroes and their families, the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative.  And if you haven't visited this site, I assure you that it is truly compelling.

 

But I want readers to know that DOT's efforts to support our veterans don't end with this one program, and they don't just rev up when Veterans Day approaches.  For example, last May the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a rule that makes it easier for veterans to take the first step toward getting a job as a professional truck or bus driver. 

Pennsylvania Governor signs texting while driving ban; state becomes 35th to outlaw the deadly practice

Yesterday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed into law a ban on texting while driving in the Keystone State. That makes Pennsylvania the 35th state (plus the District of Columbia and Guam) to outlaw this dangerous activity.

If you know about only one of DOT's recent safety initiatives, chances are it’s our fight to end distracted driving. We've held two national distracted driving summits. We've banned texting behind the wheel for commercial bus and truck drivers and federal employees. We've launched a video series that goes behind the statistics to show how devastating it is to lose a loved one in a distracted driving crash. And we've partnered with some famous friends like Oprah Winfrey, Jordin Sparks, and Justin Bieber.

Pennsylvania’s 253 state legislators may not be as famous as those three, but they helped our safety fight tremendously last week by passing the new texting ban. Starting in March, texting while driving will be a primary offense carrying a $50 fine.

Protecting the lives of citizens is a basic function of government, and I thank Pennsylvania's legislators and Governor Corbett for stepping up to make the state's roads safer for residents and travelers alike.

 

Work begins on Colton Crossing rail overpass; DOT's TIGER program creating jobs, solving problems

When we say that DOT's TIGER grants are awarded to projects that create partnerships to solve problems and put people to work, we aren't kidding.  And Tuesday, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez helped break ground on a TIGER project in Colton, California, that will solve a rail and road problem that has plagued San Bernardino County for nearly 129 years.

FHWA Administrator Mendez (2nd from right) with Caltrans interim director Malcolm Dougherty and "Virgil Earp"

That's right; since 1893, the at-grade Colton railroad crossing has caused significant freight and passenger train delays. In fact, it almost caused bloodshed back in 1893 when the Southern Pacific Railroad physically blocked California Southern Railroad's attempt to install a level crossing that would allow its north-south trains to move across the east-west tracks of its rival.  The dispute escalated into a guns-drawn standoff between the two railroads and their employees, including famous lawman Virgil Earp, before the conflict was resolved and the rail junction was installed.

But the crossing's problems were only just beginning. An at-grade crossing means that one train approaching the intersection must wait until a train on the other track has cleared it. That wasn't a problem when a handful of trains passed through the crossing each day, but today as many as 135 Union Pacific, BNSF, Amtrak, and Metrolink trains pass through this crude intersection.

This level junction at-grade rail crossing in Colton is a major hiccup in freight shipping.

And that creates a major chokepoint.  Trains back up.  Freight shipping is slowed to and from the important Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.  Idling trains create noise and exhaust pollution for residents.  And the backed-up trains block 24 different railroad crossings on local roads, adding vehicle congestion to the list of consequences.

With support from the San Bernardino Associated Goverments and funding from TIGER, the state of California, and the railroads, the Alameda Corridor Transit Authority will construct an overpass for trains on the east-west tracks.  This project is a terrific example of how--when regional partners come together and federal dollars attract state and private investment--we can solve transportation problems that harm businesses and local communities.

DOT employees “Walk and Roll” for CFC

People enjoying a late lunch at Yards Park were in for a surprise yesterday as I joined Deputy Secretary John Porcari, Undersecretary Roy Kienitz, and a parade of DOT employees for an afternoon walk along the Anacostia River here in Washington.

The event, dubbed "Walk and Roll," was just the latest creative idea our employees came up with to raise money for the 2011 Combined Federal Campaign.

As I've mentioned before, our annual CFC drive kicked off in October to raise money for deserving charities across the country.  Federal employees can log into Employee Express to make a donation to either the general fund or a charity of their choosing.

The folks at DOT are always more than generous in their contributions, and yesterday was no exception.  We had 100 employees donate over $800 to participate in the walk, allowing them to get some exercise and take a break from work on a beautiful day--all while supporting the CFC general fund.

A number of walkers came dressed for exercise, including a group decked out in matching red shirts that called themselves “The Wellness Warriors."  Another employee helped put the "roll" into the "Walk and Roll" by pushing her granddaughter along in a stroller.

FTA initiative will connect America's veterans and their families to the opportunities they deserve

As Chairman of the federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, I’ve enjoyed collaborating with my colleagues across the government to better coordinate our transportation, housing, medical, and other services on behalf of America’s neediest citizens. Today, I’m thrilled to announce the fruits of our latest collaboration, the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative.

The new FTA initiative will invest $34.6 million in 55 different "one-click, one-call" transportation resource centers across the country, bringing more transportation choices and better job access to a very special group of Americans—our military heroes, veterans, wounded warriors, and their families.

Many military families live in suburban and rural communities where long car commutes eat up the family’s gas budget, and public transportation options are limited. The projects funded by this initiative will bridge the transportation gap by helping states and communities build or expand centers that offer information on local transportation options by phone or internet.

Later today, I'll visit the Duval County Veterans Memorial Wall in Jacksonville to announce a Veterans initiative grant for $1.9 million to help the Jacksonville Transportation Authority create a one-call, one-click transportation resource center. This is one of six grants totaling $7.3 million across Florida, which is home to thousands of veterans and active-duty military personnel.

These projects will make it possible for veterans to check bus and van schedules online or over the phone and to schedule rides with vanpools or private transportation companies. Better coordination means better service, for everyone.

We want to make sure that military veterans and their families can take full advantage of the transportation resources in their communities. "One-click, one-call" centers will better connect them with a range of reliable, affordable options to get to work, the supermarket, their kids' day care center, school, medical facilities, and other essential destinations.

Work advances on technology to prevent drunk driving

While we have made great progress over the years in reducing drunk driving, this deadly behavior remains one of the leading causes of death and injury on our nation's roadways.  In fact drunk driving is responsible for one in every three roadway fatalities. But every one of these deaths is preventable.

That’s why I'm pleased to hear that the national research effort to develop new technology that will prevent the illegal operation of a vehicle by a drunk driver is entering a new phase.  In two years, research will move out of the laboratory and onto the road, when a drivable test vehicle is expected to be ready.

This research program, known as Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS), began in 2008 and is a five-year, $10 million cooperative research effort of DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), representing the nation's leading automakers.

In January, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland and I had the opportunity to take a first look at this technology at the DADSS laboratory in the Boston area.

We can use enforcement efforts to get drunk drivers off the road, but advanced alcohol-detection technologies like DADSS may someday be able to prevent drunk drivers and repeat offenders from getting behind the wheel in the first place.

America will build high speed rail and create jobs, not despite challenges, but because of them

As I’ve mentioned before, I started out as a social studies teacher in Peoria. And yesterday, speaking about the rail provisions of the American Jobs Act at the annual United States High Speed Rail Association meeting, felt a lot like a civics class at Holy Family School.

Now, the USHSR Association is comprised of smart folks, leaders in rail transportation. They already know that high-speed rail will make American businesses more competitive. They know that around the globe high-speed rail is moving people quickly and reliably.  They know that high-speed rail will revitalize American rail manufacturing, spur economic development, and generate quality jobs up and down the supply chain and all along the corridors.

They know the value of high speed rail.  So I spoke to them instead about leadership, about America's proud history of investing in big things, even when times were tough. We built the transcontinental railroad during the bloodiest war in American history. We built the Hoover Dam and Golden Gate Bridge during the Great Depression.

Time after time, this country has produced visionary leaders who set in motion projects that would benefit generation after generation of Americans.  In fact, more than a half century ago, when President Eisenhower set the nation on course to build the Interstate Highway System, we didn’t know where all the routes were going to be drawn on the map. We didn’t know where every dollar of funding was going to come from. But through 10 administrations and 28 sessions of Congress, we got it done.

These are the transportation projects that made America the greatest country in the world. These are the projects that made our way of life possible. As President Obama said in September, "Building a world class transportation system is part of what made us an economic superpower." 

And what America needs today is a similar commitment to high-speed rail, a similar commitment to future generations.

Two commercial airlines fly into 21st century with biofuel blends

Aviation fans are fond of recalling great milestones in the industry. December 17, 1903: the Wright brothers took off from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  May 21, 1927: Charles Lindbergh landed in Paris, completing the first transatlantic flight.  October 14, 1947: Chuck Yaeger officially broke the sound barrier.  As aviation technology has improved, history continues to be made in the air.

Today we reached a major milestone in aviation fuel efficiency when United Airlines flew the first-ever commercial domestic flight using a blend of biofuel and traditional jet fuel.  In addition, United announced its intent to purchase 20 million gallons of bio-fuel per year, giving this young, green industry a big boost.

UA1403, departed Houston this morning at 10:30am local time, bound for Chicago making it the first commercial passenger flight with a 40% biofuel mix created from algae by Solazyme, a San Francisco based company.  The flight's success demonstrated that, as United’s Executive Vice President, Pete McDonald, said, “Sustainable biofuels, produced on a large scale at an economically viable price, can one day play a meaningful role in powering everyone's trip on an airline."

And United is not the only commercial airline making biofuel history this week.  Alaska Air has two flights scheduled from Seattle scheduled on Wednesday--one to Washington,DC, and one to Portland, OR--burning a 20% biofuel blend that uses cooking oil.

As Alaska Air Group Chairman and chief executive Bill Ayer put it, “This is a historic week for US aviation.”

Anacostia trail network connects communities, offers commuters options

For many American families, transportation is the second largest expense--after housing.  Households are particularly vulnerable to transportation costs in tough economic times and when gas prices spike unexpectedly.  In the past few years, an increasing number of commuters have turned to bicycling and walking--where it's feasible--to reduce their transportation costs. 

Last Friday, the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia opened a segment of the Anacostia Riverwalk that will help area residents do just that.

Photo courtesy WAMU / Jessica Gould

I was in good company at Friday's celebration, dubbed "Anacostia's Great Outdoors," and it was a pleasure to join Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Washington, DC Mayor Vincent Gray, and US Senator Ben Cardin.  The many different jurisdictions and agencies represented indicate the strong partnership working to restore the Anacostia River, to connect communities, to help people enjoy America's Great Outdoors, and to get people where they need to go safely and efficiently.

This is a good use of federal funds, and let me tell you why.

Local Officials Attend Anacostia River Trail Ribbon Cutting: MyFoxDC.com

 

44th Annual DOT Secretary's Awards recognize outstanding achievement serving the American people

I’ve always said that DOT has some of the hardest working, most dedicated professionals in the world. And yesterday, I had the opportunity to honor and thank some of them at DOT’s 44th Annual Secretary's Awards Ceremony.

Day after day, their hard work and heavy lifting ensures that drivers, pilots, and passengers are safe and that roads and bridges are rebuilt while putting people back to work.

In fact, every time I see President Obama, he tells me that he’s proud of the job the DOT team is doing. Their performance, above and beyond the call of duty, makes DOT a real leader in serving the American people.

During the last 12 months, DOT employees have made enormous progress on things like groundbreaking fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, keeping their FAA colleagues on the job, finding a path forward on O’Hare’s expansion, and helping disaster-stricken communities repair their roads.

At the same time, they’ve continued progress on major, long-term initiatives like getting families, friends, and neighbors back to work on transportation job sites across the country and rebuilding America’s roadways, runways, railways, and waterways.

Not to mention they’re also making our communities more sustainable and livable, and developing the most proactive transportation safety agenda in DOT history.

Deputy Secretary John Porcari enjoys a moment during the awards ceremony

I am grateful to each and every one of them, as well as their families, who have given up evenings and weekends so they could serve the American people.

Congress must put aside politics for the American people. Pass the transportation investments in the American Jobs Act; put friends and neighbors to work

Today, the United States Senate has the opportunity to pass the transportation investments that President Obama proposed in the American Jobs Act.  And for the sake of the American people, I hope they'll put aside politics for one moment and vote "yes" on this legislation that Democrats, Republicans and everyone in between knows will put our friends and neighbors back to work.

This morning I called on Congress to do just that at the Bridgeport-Norristown Viaduct, a rail transit bridge near Philadelphia that badly needs those provisions to pass.

Here, I'm standing with Paul, a young, unemployed crane operator who will get back on the job if SEPTA
can secure funding for Viaduct repairs through the American Jobs Act

I’ve said numerous times on this blog that there’s no such thing as a Democratic or Republican bridge, and that remains true.  But unfortunately, there is such a thing as bridges in need of repair, and those are the bridges that President Obama would like to see rehabilitated through the transportation provisions of the American Jobs Act.  Through these proposed investments, we can get people back to work and make our transportation network safer.

President Obama and I saw it yesterday at the Key Bridge and before that at the Brent Spence Bridge. Senator Rand Paul, Gov. Mitch Daniels, and I saw it at the Sherman Minton Bridge in September.

But it’s not just bridges for cars and trucks that are in need of long-delayed repairs.  As Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff said this morning, “Southeastern Pennsylvania, home to some of the oldest transit infrastructure in the nation, is in need of a 21st Century overhaul.”

I agree with Administrator Rogoff.  The Bridgeport-Norristown Viaduct was built a century ago, in 1911.  In 2011, it carries thousands of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) passengers monthly on the Norristown High Speed Line.  The viaduct extends from the Norristown Transportation Center, and it carries riders over two other rail lines, the Schuylkill River, and the town of Bridgeport before ending at Bridgeport Station.

But the 100-year-old structure is showing its age with cracks to the steel and concrete elements, corrosion losses, and failing timber ties.  It’s safe, but we need to make sure it stays that way.

The transportation funding in the American Jobs Act will provide SEPTA and transit agencies across the country with the resources they need to complete critical repairs and upgrades.  It will also provide a great opportunity for hundreds of thousands of American workers to get back on the job, whether that job is rebuilding roadways or repairing transit tracks. 

FRA and Progress Rail celebrate new American plant; facility will create hundreds of jobs building locomotives

At a time when many companies are shipping jobs overseas, at least one company--Progress Rail--is doing just the opposite.  Last Friday, in Muncie, Indiana, the company celebrated the opening of the first new American locomotive manufacturing plant in many years.  And we know that, if Congress passes the transportation provisions in the American Jobs Act, the new jobs in Muncie will be followed by hundreds of thousands across the country.

Progress Rail invested $50 million into what the Muncie Chamber of Commerce calls, "the biggest development here in 40 years."

New locomotive built at Progress Rail in Muncie for export to Mexico

The new facility, with 700,000 square feet and a 99-foot-high ceiling, employs more than 150 skilled American workers building complete locomotives from the ground up.  The company plans to nearly double the Muncie plant's workforce by 2012. 

And, by opening a manufacturing plant on American soil and employing American workers, Progress Rail is also eligible, under "Buy America" guidelines, to bid on building our first domestically-manufactured fleet of high-speed rail locomotives.  And those same "Buy America" provisions mean that parts and supplies will also come from American manufacturers.  This will mean even more jobs.

Two years ago, I said on this blog that, "We have already received commitments from over 30 companies in the rail business to create or expand U.S. rail manufacturing should they be awarded contracts." 

Well, Progress Rail was as good as their word, and the company didn't even wait for federal contracts.  As Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo--who was on hand for the official opening last Friday--said, "Progress Rail is one of several companies to put their money where their mouth is.” 

President Obama urges Congress: Put construction workers back on the job

It was an honor to stand with President Obama earlier today by the Francis Scott Key Bridge between Washington, DC, and Virginia.  There, the President urged Congress to pass the infrastructure provisions in the American Jobs Act.

I've been pretty vocal about how important it is to put these transportation investments into action and get hundreds of thousands of construction workers back on the job rebuilding our roads, bridges, airports, and transit systems. So it was my pleasure, today, to hear the President make the case for what has been historically the kind of bill that gets bipartisan support.

Watch President Obama's remarks on C-Span

I hope the United States Senate heard his call and will pass the transportation provisions of the American Jobs Act this week.

It was entirely fitting that the President made his case at the Key Bridge because this important crossing, which carries 62,000 vehicles each day, is one of America's more than 70,000 bridges in need of repair.  Like many of the other bridges on the Federal Highway Administration's list of structures that need to be monitored, inspected, and repaired, thousands of people rely on this bridge to get to work and school and to deliver goods every day.  And, like many of the other bridges, the Key Bridge is years away from getting the rehabilitation it requires.

However, if Congress passes the transportation pieces of the American Jobs Act, state departments of transportation across the country can finally begin long-deferred repairs on many of these aging bridges and put construction workers back on the job.

Guest blogger Deputy Secretary John Porcari: It's all connected--Rail growth in North Carolina leads to job growth in Delaware

Two weeks ago, Secretary LaHood said that DOT and the states were “knee-deep in the business of American high-speed rail.” This week, I've had a chance to see the truth of this firsthand. On Monday, I was at the Michigan Rail Summit in a state where leaders see that a reliable rail network is critical to economic competitiveness.  Michigan's rail investments will connect work that needs to be done with workers ready to do it.  And yesterday, I saw a great example of that at the Delaware Car Company in Wilmington.

The Delaware Car Company has been hard at work rebuilding seven passenger cars for North Carolina's Piedmont service.

Courtesy WHYY/NewsWorks.org

Jointly operated by Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Piedmont connects Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, and six other cities in a three-hour trip.  Its popularity has grown steadily; to meet demand--up 46 percent from 2009 to 2010--a second run was added in 2010.  From 2010 to 2011, ridership was up more than 40 percent, and revenue increased more than 60 percent.

DOT investments, through the Federal Railroad Administration, provided the funds to rehab NCDOT's passenger cars.  But this isn’t just good news for North Carolina commuters; the benefits of this investment have been felt across state lines and throughout the supply chain.

It has clearly been good news for the folks at the Delaware Car Company, their families, and the city of Wilmington.  Tom Crowley, the vice president and general manager, told me that, because of the NCDOT order, they’ve able to retain employees and are actually increasing their workforce by 25 percent.

Courtesy WDEL

I heard the same thing in May when I visited the Alstom plant near Rochester, NY.

That’s why it’s so crucial for Congress to pass the transportation investments proposed in the American Jobs Act.  These include $2 billion to create quality jobs continuing our upgrades of Amtrak equipment, cars, and stations.  Like the FRA grant that supported the NCDOT work at the Delaware Car Company, these investments will put Americans to work improving our increasingly popular national passenger railroad. 

California plans for new jobs and a bright future

Congratulations to California Governor Jerry Brown, the California High-Speed Rail Authority and its board members.  The business plan they released today maps out a sound, step-by-step strategy for building a world-class high-speed rail network.

In 2008, Californians voted to develop a state high-speed rail program.  Today's plan--with its phased implementation, ridership and revenue assessments, and public-private funding model--brings that vision one step closer to reality. 

This project will create one million construction jobs, put Americans to work at suppliers and assembly plants all over the country, reduce time stuck in traffic or on the tarmac, and save small businesses and families from pain at the pump.

California will also become a better place to start or grow a business.  By moving shorter trips to rail, California’s airports will have more room for international flights.  A several-hour drive between cities can be reduced to an hour on the train.  Businesses will get better access to customers, workers, parts, and products.

Today's report also offers us a glimpse into what California could look like without high-speed rail.

The state's current transportation network was built for 25 million people, but California's population has quite simply grown out of it.  In fact, by 2050, California will be home to 60 million people, roughly equivalent to California absorbing the entire population of Texas.  Fortunately, high-speed rail will allow California to manage the challenges of accommodating more people and growing its economy.

Michigan Rail Summit: an opportunity to discuss critical transportation investments

This week, the United States Senate will have the opportunity to vote on the transportation provisions of the American Jobs Act.  At the same time, across the country, local leaders are having conversations about how transportation contributes to economic competitiveness. 

Some are talking about how they'll find the money to repair local roads and bridges to get businesses better access to customers and suppliers.  Others are talking about developing modern freight and passenger rail service as a key part of improving the economy. 

Yesterday, Deputy Secretary John Porcari met with some of those leaders at the Michigan Rail Summit, where he spoke about the importance of investing in critical infrastructure, such as high-speed rail.

From day one, we have stood up for the rail industry with smart investments that create jobs today and lay the groundwork for long-term economic growth over the long run. This Administration understands that we can’t build a 21st century economy on a 20th century transportation network.

It’s simple: investing in jobs to repair America’s transportation network and build new systems like high-speed rail is not a Democratic or Republican idea; this is a tried-and-true solution to connect the people who need work with the work that needs to be done.

In fact, the State of Michigan is already seeing results.

Earlier this year, the Obama Administration awarded nearly $200 million in high-speed rail grants for Michigan.  Among other things, these funds will bring trains up to speeds of 110 miles-per-hour on a 235-mile section of the Chicago to Detroit corridor – reducing the trip by 30 minutes.

By bringing the corridor into public ownership, Michigan DOT will also have far greater control and flexibility to make future service improvements and improve the overall passenger experience.

As America's high-speed rail system emerges, economic growth and opportunity will follow.  And by providing additional targeted investments, the American Jobs Act offers another important step in the right direction.