Coalition Lauds Virginia Bid for High Speed Rail Funds -- Urges Close Cooperation with DC and Maryland
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2009
CONTACT:
Cheryl Cort, CSG, 202-244-4408, ext 112
Stewart Schwartz, CSG, 703-599-6437
COALITION LAUDS VIRGINIA BID FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL FUNDS – URGES CLOSE COOPERATION WITH DC AND MARYLAND
“Chesapeake Crescent” Rail Corridor Merits Top Priority for Stimulus Funds
Baltimore– Washington – Fredericksburg – Richmond – Hampton Roads
Tomorrow, October 2nd, the states must submit applications for High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (or HSR) funding, made possible by $8 billion in HSR funds in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (the “stimulus”). This deadline is for “Track 2” projects -- new high speed and intercity passenger rail corridors and service. A previous deadline was for Tracks 1, 3, and 4, of which Track 1 were “shovel ready” projects. Ninety-nine percent of the $8 billion will be allocated to Track 1 and 2 projects.
Virginiais expected to submit an application for up to $1.57 billion in rail infrastructure improvements for Washington DC to Petersburg, VA, including additional tracks and signal, station and rail yard improvements; and between $330-$844 million for rail improvements to support high speed rail service between Richmond and Hampton Roads. CSG did not obtain Information on DC and Maryland proposals, but believes the jurisdiction will seek Track 2 grants for upgrades between the Potomac River and Baltimore.
“Virginia has become a leader in preparing for the future – investing in both freight rail and passenger rail upgrades – and merits a substantial HSR stimulus award,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. “The state has established a dedicated state funding source, its Rail Enhancement Fund, allocated a portion of its transportation bonds to rail initiatives, completed key studies and phasing analyses, and successfully negotiated complex agreements with Amtrak and freight railroads to initiate new service.”
“The importance of high speed rail for smart growth and the economy of Virginia’s “urban crescent” cannot be overstated,” said Schwartz. “This region captures over 60% of the state’s population, over 60% of the gross state product, and will see the state’s most significant population growth. Investing in passenger and freight rail alternatives to I-95 and I-64 is essential.”
“We also believe that the mid-Atlantic’s entire ‘Chesapeake Crescent’ between Baltimore, Washington, Fredericksburg, Richmond and Hampton Roads deserves priority attention in terms of freight and passenger rail upgrades, and we hope that DC, Maryland and Virginia are in close consultation,” said Schwartz.
According to Smart Growth America, “World-class transportation is about more than just high-speed trains and tracks. This is about people getting around quickly and easily. That means creating prosperous cities around stations that connect with other downtowns and where you can use good metro public transportation when you get off the train. The payoff is not just faster, more-convenient intercity travel, but also healthier, more vibrant cities for everyone.”
Complete details of the high-speed rail program funding criteria, timeline and project selection process are available online at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2153.
Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) is the leading organization addressing where and how the region grows, assisting communities in planning for the future by offering solutions to the interconnected challenges of housing, transportation, energy and the environment. The Coalition works in partnership with conservation, transit, housing and business groups in the District of Columbis, Virginia, and the Maryland suburbs of DC.
Learn more about the national effort to promote a more sustainable and competitive transportation system at Transportation for America, http://t4america.org/.
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