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$50 billion in high-speed rail applications received
By: Rick Benedict	October 7, 2009 1:04 pm
Joan Lowy
AP Writer
Washington — The Obama administration has received applications from 24 states seeking $50 billion for high-speed rail projects, according to administration officials, more than six times the money designated in the economic stimulus plan.
A decision on which projects will receive funds will be made this winter, according to Joseph Szabo, head of the Federal Railroad Administration.
"Our selections will be merit-based and will reflect President Obama's vision to remake America's transportation landscape," according to a statement attributed to Szabo.
In August, the agency received 214 applications from 34 states totaling $7 billion for corridor planning and smaller projects, which would include trains traveling less then 110 miles per hour, the rate defined as high-speed in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Applications for high-speed projects were due Oct. 2.
The $787 billion recovery act designated $8 billion for high-speed and other passenger rail projects. Interest in winning a share of the rail money has been intense, not only by states, but by domestic and foreign rail, engineering and construction companies that want to build and operate the systems.
The fierce competition means most applicants are likely to go away empty-handed. The $4.7 billion application from the California High-Speed Rail Authority alone totals more than half the available funds.
California is aiming for bullet train service to eventually extend from Sacramento to San Diego.
Wisconsin is seeking money to develop a $651.8 million high-speed passenger rail line between Milwaukee and Madison. The request includes money for track, signal and infrastructure improvements, the acquisition of two train sets and eight energy-efficient locomotives and a new maintenance facility.
Pennsylvania is seeking money for several projects, including a magnetic levitation train that would run from Pittsburgh International Airport to downtown Pittsburgh. A maglev train is suspended on a magnetic cushion above a magnetized track and so travels free of friction. There are none in the U.S.
Florida is seeking $2.5 billion for high-speed service between Tampa and Orlando. North Carolina transportation officials want to start work on a Southeast rail corridor between Charlotte and Richmond, Va.
Even states not normally associated with passenger rail have submitted applications. Oklahoma wants a high-speed line between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Ohio is seeking funds to start up service connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.
Federal Railroad Administration high-speed rail 1:04 pm Wed, October 7, 2009 The Daily Reporter - WI Construction News & Bids
Rick Benedict
Tagged with: Federal Railroad Administration high-speed rail
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