Obama To Announce High Speed Rail Funding

[sabra]

Source: Indiana's NewsCenter

WASHINGTON (Indiana's NewsCenter) - President Obama is expected to announce 8-billion dollars in funding for high-speed rail projects on Thursday.

Strong contenders for the money include a nine-state proposal in the Midwest, which Fort Wayne is part of, as well as an 800-mile rail line in California.

The funding is part of the $787-billion recovery act.

31-states are expected to receive funds.

Read more: http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/82796222.html

[WI_DEM]

1. Now this is the kind of thing we need done to create jobs and cut down on cars

[Go2Peace]

52. Did he announce it? I didn't hear it???

Just asking, maybe I missed it?

[Roland99]

2. Hope this helps Orlando in getting SunRail implemented

Would *love* to use public transportation down here instead of commuting up/down I-4.

[flvegan]

14. They're yammering about it nonstop here in Tampa, like the fix is in.

Teabaggers hate the idea, of course. Morons.

[nashville_brook]

17. obama and biden are scheduled to announce something in Tampa tomorrow

most think it's affirmative on the high speed project. we've already got the sunrail thing moving down the track, so to speak. if the rumors about us getting the high speed connector are true, it will certainly accelerate the sunrail project.

[Roland99]

19. I didn't mind the "commute" I had before

About 5 min...and didn't have to touch I-4. Now I have a personal interest. ;-)

But, yeah, this area desperately needs something. The Lynx routes are horrendous for anyone in the "burbs" trying to get downtown (or to the attractions area).

[nashville_brook]

29. i never go to the attractions area -- i feel SO SORRY for the poor tourists

who think they can actually (safely) walk around I-Drive. it's horrible.

i've actually printed out the proposed stations and thought about a possible move based on the availability of a train. such is the nature of dreams. right now i'm way out east, which is nice in terms of wildlife, but it's a hell of a drive down the 408 everyday.

[Roland99]

31. Ah...but better since the new section opened up.

Sometimes I take the 417 home as it's a nicer drive and I'm more relaxed when I get home.

I like bank/gov't holidays....those days I-4 is almost like a weekend drive. :)


I-4 actually makes a nice corridor for a train (perhaps elevated over it or right next to it)?


But, yeah, locals (and tourists) get shafted with all the toll roads around here. Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami don't have toll roads like this. Why just here? blah.

[nashville_brook]

32. there's a history to the tolls -- they started out at .15 cents, and were supposed to go away

once the roads were paid for. had to do with us not having an income tax to pay for road-building. once the revenue stream was established that was it.

if you add up how much you pay in tolls, it's really maddening. well, it is for me -- i think i've bitched about this with you before!! :) i used to commute to Lake Mary from Waterford Lakes -- $7.00 a day. Times 330 days (approximately) $2,310 a year to drive on a road to work.

I-4 is an excellent corridor for the train, no doubt.

[Roland99]

33. Ah yes!

Lake Mary is where I now reside. Yeah...the 417 ain't cheap. Nice views but not worth that much per day.

If they'd just do some basic traffic light programming to synchronize lights on the major arteries (436, 434, 17/92, Colonial), there would be much less stop and go (oh, and don't get me started on the lack of cloverleaf interchanges!) grrrrr!

[maddezmom]

3. good deal

:kick:

[liberal N proud]

4. Jobs designing the system, jobs building the system

Jobs running the system

YES!

I have been waiting for this one.

[Hekate]

5. Jobs, infrastructure, and environment in one fell swoop

:fistbump:

[Politicub]

10. Yes we can!

:fistbump:

[blue_onyx]

6. Great

There are a lot of unemployed auto workers here in Michigan that would love to build trains instead of cars.

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. Oh, I hope so.

At least on SOMETHING we can try to catch up with the rest of the civilized world.

[groundloop]

8. Good news.

Wonder what the republi-cons will concoct to try and put this in a negative light.

[Igel]

13. Here's my spin.

Not quite negative, certainly not positive.


http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18924.html
2/17/09 Obama plots huge railroad expansion

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/17/administration-releases-h_n_217046.html
6/17/09 Administration releases high-speed rail funding information, Edge to midwest and California

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125115017812354935.html
8/25/09 States seek slice of rail funding

http://www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12375:durbin-illinois-delegation-high-speed-rail-funding-will-have-greatest-impact-in-illinois-&catid=1:latest-local-news&Itemid=88889791
12/18/09
Durbin, Illinois Delegation: High Speed Rail Funding will have Greatest Impact in Illinois

At this rate we can count on groundbreaking in 2015 and the train should be functional just in time for Obama's grandkids to take on their first trip after retiring.

[Mithreal]

24. Just remember spoken and written words do not a fast comfy ride make.

If people see the benefits of the project sooner, they have less reason to be dissatisfied and why give conservatives from both parties more time and opportunities to obstruct.

I am becoming less moved by certain people's talk and am quite aware how timing of announcements like this plays an important role in squelching general criticism and discontent.

Talk about improving our real economy is something President Obama does not need Congress to approve. Wonder why that is.

[MrsCorleone]

25. Republican obstruction has already begun in San Diego & Riverside County.

Republican Reps Darrell Issa, Mary Bono Mack, & Brian Billbray are against this massive jobs project even though proposed rail stops will land right smack dab in the middle of their districts. This will bring desperately needed jobs to their constituents NOW & transform their districts into major economic hubs upon project completion, but they don't care. They only care that their constituents suffer economically so that they can continue to blame the Obama administration for the misery.

Those of you living around proposed high speed rail lines, watch your local politicians & reps, as they may also try to undermine this jobs project.

[Politicub]

9. I LOVE this! It's about time we expanded our rail system

with high speed rail.

And, this will created a lot of new jobs.

[Meldread]

11. K&R! Please, please, PLEASE build a national high speed rail system.

I'd love to have a high speed transportation system that would save me from having to drive.

[amandabeech]

12. They damned well better build the equipment here,

and use U.S. citizens and green card holders to do it.

[Dappleganger]

57. You've got that right!

[Steerpike]

15. Finally!

Some Good News!

[madokie]

16. I wish we still had amtrac so I could take a ride on the train

and sit in a real seat not just on the floor of a boxcar. been there, done that.

[YOY]

20. Amtrak...with a k.

No snark intended Madokie. I just happen to WORK for Amtrak.

[madokie]

22. I knew it didn't look right

My lazy ass got me busted this time didn't it :rofl::hi:

[YOY]

28. Any ole time!

:)

[Mojorabbit]

18. Yay!! this is wonderful nt

[Cirque du So-What]

21. Ohio is discussing a passenger rail line

connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton & Cincinnati. I haven't read enough to know whether federal funds were requested, but it would go a long way toward getting this project moving forward.

[RedCloud]

23. Homer Simpson was a conductor of one.

[Fearless]

27. Yes he was. It was shoddily built and almost destroyed the town. Let's not buy from Lyle Lanley...

[SlingBlade]

26. Hey, Yea, That'll Help

And when the fairy comes along and sprinkles her magic dust on Congress
everyone will get alone and work together holding hands and singing Kumbaya

What a fucking joke

[TheWatcher]

50. Look I think this is a GREAT idea. It's something we really do need.

But didn't he just call for a discretionary spending freeze?

The guy talks out of both sides of his mouth.

And with once again promising to repeal DADT, I'm sorry but I'm cynical.

To me this just amounts to the calculated control of the population through Propaganda and cheap words that has worked like a charm with this administration so far.

The peasants start to stir, get pissed off, and get an inkling of an idea that they've probably been sold a Bill Of Goods, and start to awaken to what is really going on around them, then some pretty words are uttered, more crumbs are promised to be tossed to them from the table, a ceremonial token bone or two is thrown to them, and they get excited, drool and go back to sleep.

We do it EVERY time.

We are just so INVESTED in this fake system of Political Theater and Bullshit that we can't allow ourselves to see.

I agree with the person who said 8 Billion is a joke, and it's a pretty good tip off that this is just more cheap words.

8 Billion is not even a realistic number.

80 Billion, which the other poster also pointed out, perhaps.

The faithful will attack this, but at this point it doesn't really matter. Like those on the other side of this false paradigm. we continue to ignore that we are not being represented by our government, and continue to be lost in this "American Idol", Football Team mentality.

[SlingBlade]

53. Point well taken my friend ...

And yes, Idol and football trump life in bizarro world America these days. Too Bad, So Sad.

[earth mom]

59. You summed up exactly how I feel about the SOTU speech last night.

A bunch of pretty words and empty promises

Yet DU is back to the rah rah schtick because some people still want to live in a fantasy world where the powers that be wish them no harm and haven't stolen most of their money.

I'll believe it all when I see it and I think I'll be waiting a very long time.

[bergie321]

30. Southwest Triangle Please

Phoenix->LA->Las Vegas

Will cut down on a lot of short hop air flights.

[JDPriestly]

34. Great!!!!!! Our transportation system is obsolete and causing a lot of

problems especially out here in California.

Did you know that 747s have been in service for 30 years?

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2000/news_release_000121a.html

Airplanes use too much fuel, and once you have a planeload of people in the air over Chicago, you can't stop very fast in order to evacuate them safely (as we have seen in some plane accidents).

These high speed trains have a great record in Europe and Japan.

I don't know about you but for a trip from L.A. to San Francisco, I would much prefer to be sitting in a train than on a plane. And luggage is not the problem it is in planes because weight is not such a big fuel issue.

I could hug Obama for this. Good work.

This is the change I voted for. I don't know about you?

Goodbye, energy dependence on countries that don't like us. We can fuel these rails with wind and sun energy depending on the climate. We can save the natural gas, coal and petroleum for other uses.

This is an excellent investment.

How can we show our support.

I have to add that my husband just returned from two weeks in Christchurch, New Zealand. The buses and public transportation run all the time there. It is just great. Here in Los Angeles, the public transportation, with the exception of the Gold Line is just pitiful. I strongly support public transportation. It is especially great for those of us who are bit older.

[Arkana]

35. Rail, I remember, was a thing during the campaign he mentioned.

My guess is Joe was the driving force behind this--being an Amtrak patron and all.

[Cant trust em]

36. Obama expected to announce high-speed rail plan that could include California funding boost

Source: San Jose Mercury News

WASHINGTON — A day after delivering a State of the Union address aimed at showing recession-weary Americans he understands their struggles, President Barack Obama intends to award $8 billion in stimulus funds to develop high-speed rail corridors and sell the program as a jobs creator.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden plan to announce grants for 13 major corridors during a town hall meeting in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, the president's first public appearance following his speech to the nation. It's an attempt by the White House to show that getting Americans back to work is the president's top priority and that he has a plan for how to do it.

The president's visit to the region means Florida's proposal for a high-speed line connecting Orlando and Tampa is likely to receive funding. California's proposal for an 800-mile-long rail line from Sacramento to San Diego and a nine-state proposal in the Midwest are also considered strong contenders.

The $8 billion in funding for high-speed trains and other passenger rail projects is part of the $787 billion recovery act. Besides the 13 corridors receiving grants, a White House official said several smaller awards will be made for improvements to existing rail lines. Overall, 31 states will receive funds.



Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_14279307?source=rss&nclick_check=1

---

Welcome to the future.

[dipsydoodle]

37. You'll find

it's welcomed by all except those who live close to the line who will gripe endlessly and hold protest meetings.

That's par for the course in the UK and doubtless the rest of Europe too.

[Cant trust em]

38. I hate NIMBYs. nt

[WriteDown]

40. What about those who's homes are taken in eminent domain?

That is what I see as the major obstacle to this.

[Cant trust em]

43. I think that's a good question. I'm not sure where I come down on this yet.

Seems like we're back in the 50's talking about the ill effects of the interstate highway system.

I think that in the long-run some people are going to have to give up their home and property to make this bigger vision happen.

[WriteDown]

44. Many people say that...

until they become a victim of the big vision :). Especially when you are offered fair market value for your property in these real estate conditions.

[Cant trust em]

45. Clearly. But on the other hand...

should we halt progress for something like this because some people will be negatively affected?

I think that there are some reasons to halt projects like this, but in other cases we shouldn't be held back.

For example, in San Francisco there were plans in the 60's to have freeways cut through large swaths of the city as part of a larger transit plan. The plan would have decimated neighborhoods and even cut through Golden Gate Park. It faced an unprecedented amount of neighborhood pushback from an unlikely coalition of communities and organizations. Will HSR create a similar amount of displacement? I'm not sure.

Proponents for and opponents against HSR will have to make their voices heard and policy makers will have a tough decision to make.

[WriteDown]

56. Very well said. nt

[dipsydoodle]

55. I guess that's we'd call compulsory purchase order in the UK.

Such things obviously do happen both for rail and road building. Imagine for example the process of re-routing the Eurostar rail terminal from one side of London to the other - such things become unavoidable. Properties bought in that way by our Dept. of Transport ,at fair market value, are then sometimes sold on with "blight orders" on them at reduced prices. The blight orders prevent the secondary owner from making further claims for noise polution whatevev.

[dipsydoodle]

54. I guess that's

not in my back yard. Yes that sums it up well.

[jkshaw]

39. I read about high speed rail in Wired,

both the magnetized rail -- not touching the rail, but speeding along above it -- and the ones actually moving on the rails, and the earliest line won't be up and running, according to the writer, until the 2020s. It makes me a little sad that I most likely will never live to see it. California is the most ready, having done a lot of the preliminary work -- the environmental impact studies and so on.

Those interested would really enjoy this article. It's in the latest Wired.

[Cant trust em]

42. I wouldn't mind taking a look at that article.

I don't think that 10 years to get this thing finished is really that bad of a deal.

I highly recommend checking out California's HSR website if you're into this. It's beautiful.

[tinrobot]

46. Doesn't sound like a spending freeze to me...

...and that's good news.

We need this.

[madrchsod]

47. 80 billion is a realist number. 8 million is a joke.

[TroglodyteScholar]

41. OH pleasepleasepleaseplease

Can we PLEASE get to work on a line between Chicago and Milwaukee? This would absolutely make my day!

[Xithras]

48. Sadly, I don't think the California HSR system is going to take off.

They're talking about $100-$150 a ticket now, and there will be so many stops that the system will rarely hit its highest speed. Flying will be both cheaper and faster.

Besides, I had something pointed out to me recently that pissed me off. The California HSR system will apparently be a "public/private partnership". The taxpayers get to pay for the right-of-way and build it, but it will be run as a for-profit enterprise by private investors and NOT by the state. Lehman Brothers apparently wrote the business plan for the whole thing (no joke, look it up if you don't believe me).

Privatized profits, and socialized costs.

[Throd]

49. I agree. California is a "can't do" state.

It will be mired in endless red tape and litigation. Ten years from now I will still be driving a car between Sacto and LA.

[midnight armadillo]

51. $300 billion for war in Afghanistan.

Imagine what $300 billion in high-speed rail could do? Frickin' maglev trains everywhere!

[Roland99]

58. Jetpacks and hovercraft!

[fishbulb703]

60. High-speed rail is impractical for America.

Rail is way too expensive to be a viable option for a geography like the United States. There are too many places to go (on business, pleasure, or family) with distances that are too great to make inflexible and extremely costly (to implement) railroads. Distributed availability (i.e. roads and carbon-neutral cars) is much more viable. As would be, say, distributed solar across all homes to geothermal, centralizedsolar, or nuclear power plants. We need lots of small efficient tools; not huge, immovable, immutable works that are barely solvent at their peak, a peak that takes time to achieve and invariably drops off quickly.