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The Associated Press reports that tomorrow both President Obama and VP Biden will travel to Tampa (separate aircraft of course - anyone really think it would be aboard the Silver Star?) for the announcement of the allocation of the "$8B for HSR" under ARRA '09:
Obviously, Florida is in for some loot. All I can hope is that the Orlando-Tampa project is worthy of funding and that the level of funding will result in something tangible moving forth, as distinct from "consultant feed".
I earnestly hope that there is no foundation whatever to any thoughts that this is simply to slap a Bush face, i.e. anti-rail Jeb.
notelvis Member # 3071
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North Carolina too!
NCDOT has called a press conference for 1:00pm tomorrow at the 'new' Amtrak Station in Durham.
Early speculation is that the NCDOT has some good news to share regarding it's 'share' of HSR seed money.
palmland Member # 4344
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David, that would be great news if NC gets some money for Southeast HSR. But, if they do, I'm afraid it will be small change compared to what the big winners will be. My bet: FL, CA, IL. Good politics in giving them money, and a good case can be made on the merits too.
Tanner929 Member # 3720
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I think the more North Carolina plans and develops its rail service without Washington would be much better for North Carolina.
CG96 Member # 1408
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Wisconsin received what it was asking for: $ 820 million. Now there is a dramatically increased likelihood that there will be trains to Madison in 2013, for the first time since 1971.
quote:Originally posted by Tanner929: I think the more North Carolina plans and develops its rail service without Washington would be much better for North Carolina.
North Carolina has made an impressive (albeit modest) beginning in providing rail passenger service over the last 10-15 years. Redeveloping stations, squeezing every serviceable month from well-built 1960's passenger coaches, etc.
NC officials have been politely asking Washington for more help since before the Norm Minetta road show a few years back and I believe that any award of funds from Washington at this point would be mostly recognition for what North Carolina has already done.
But I still don't have my train to Asheville.
Not likely to get it either.....there are other things that would bring more bang for the buck so to speak.
Remember, these funds have been APPROPRIATED under enacted legislation. That legislation, ARRA '09, directed the President (through the USDOT/FRA) to allocate those funds.
Finally, looks like Kansas will share a 'crumb' for a "study'.
quote:$ 6 (Million) Investments for high-speed and intercity passenger rail planning studies in Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, Vermont and West Virginia
RR4me Member # 6052
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I am pleased California gets its chunck as well. I wonder about 110 mph between LA and San Diego, though.
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by RR4me: I am pleased California gets its chunck as well. I wonder about 110 mph between LA and San Diego, though.
There are people along the existing ex ATSF line to Santa Fe that react to improvements that would speed up the line about like the idiots in Atherton and Menlo Park who think that grade separating the existing Caltrain and adding the high speed tracks would end their world.
It seems that such things as electrification, adding a second main to the existing line so there can be more and faster and electrified passenger trains has been determined to be detrimental to their neighborhoods. But, adding lanes to I-5 and more cars, no problem.
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