Minneapolis Advances Streetcar System Plan

 

When Minneapolis released its seven-line network plan for urban streetcars back in 2007, the city appeared to be at the head of its game, likely to follow Portland as one of the first U.S. cities to develop a modern trolley system.

 

Unfortunately, when the economic crisis hit and the lack of interest from the Bush Administration made clear to the city’s leaders that the only way their project would be built would be to sponsor it entirely with local funds, the program was “filed” away, to be revived at some more prosperous time. In the meantime, after Ray LaHood took reigns of the federal Department of Transportation, Detroit, Dallas, Tucson, Portland, and New Orleans received millions of dollars for their respective streetcar lines and other cities have applied for $130 million in inner city circulator grants the DOT expects to reward later this year.

 

All of which leaves Minneapolis a little behind in the game.

 

Nevertheless, tomorrow the City Council is expected to approve the 30-year vision for local rail transit corridors first laid out in 2007 and passed by the Public Works and Transportation Committee last week. In addition, it will take the first step in readying one “starter” corridor for further planning later this year, with plans to eventually ask Washington to fund 50% of construction costs.

 

If Minneapolis is "a little behind in the game", I wonder where that leaves us. They got $900,000 from the FTA to study the first line of their seven-line streetcar system (we only had one street that was already revitalization and no master plan whatsoever). Columbus is what Minneapolis would look like if they only talked the talk and never walked the walk.

 

Federal grant could spur Minneapolis streetcar plans

date 2010 / 12 / 23 By Trevor Born

 

Streetcars disappeared from the Minneapolis transit landscape in favor of buses in the 1950s, but a federal grant marks the first significant step in bringing them back.

 

Minneapolis received a $900,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to study "transit improvements" to connect downtown with nearby urban areas along Nicollet and Central avenues, the city announced Wednesday.

 

The grant, along with a $300,000 match from the city, will fund a study examining a possible streetcar route traveling from the new 46th Street Bus Rapid Transit Station in South Minneapolis, continuing north along Nicollet Avenue into downtown and through Nicollet Mall, then along Central Avenue through North Minneapolis and terminating at the Columbia Heights Transit Center.

 

http://www.mndaily.com/2010/12/23/federal-grant-could-spur-minneapolis-streetcar-plans

Local financial support under discussion for passenger rail

by The Gazette Staff  ::  UPDATED: 1 March 2011 | 12:22 am

 

With Gov. Terry Branstad balking at the cost, the Iowa City area could help pick up the bill to operate an Iowa City-to-Chicago passenger rail line.

 

The City Council last night gave its approval to send a letter to the state saying the city would pursue local funding for Amtrak service. The city did not commit itself to spending any money, though.

 

Local officials and those from the Quad Cities, Des Moines and Dubuque met last week to discuss the plan with officials from the Iowa Department of Transportation, Amtrak and Illinois. On Monday, Iowa City was told its contribution would need to be $300,000 to $400,000 a year.

 

Read more at: http://thegazette.com/2011/03/01/local-financial-support-under-discussion-for-passenger-rail/

This is the only way around the childish, destructive, and partisan state and federal politics that has erupted around this issue.

 

How are similar efforts progressing in Ohio?

They aren't progressing. City leaders in Ohio are worried that Kasich will take revenge against their communities if they seek to pursue passenger rail on their own. That's why I sent out to the article to them to show that others are pursuing this course of action.

 

What Ohio city leaders should realize is that the rural/exurban political powerbase in state government (among both parties!) has sought to weaken Ohio's cities for decades. Kasich is likely to continue this course of action whether they pursue 3C on their own or not.

What Ohio city leaders should realize is that the rural/exurban political powerbase in state government (among both parties!) has sought to weaken Ohio's cities for decades. Kasich is likely to continue this course of action whether they pursue 3C on their own or not.

 

Perhaps someone needs to say these exact words to them.  I'm so sick of backward politics in this state and the unreasonable fears that arise from it.  State of Erie, anyone?  [ftp=ftp://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,24993.0.html]http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,24993.0.html[/ftp]

 

This is why I'm totally burned out on advocacy when it comes to this issue.  It's just one ridiculous and baseless excuse after another.  I've used up all reserves of energy I had.  10 or 12 years was all I had in me.  I guess I don't have the stamina others have.  I'm glad you're still in the game, KJP.

TUE MAR 01, 2011 AT 06:55 PM EST

Bipartisan duo sues Florida Gov. Scott over rejection of federal high-speed rail money

by Meteor Blades

 

Florida Gov. Rick Scott made two big mistakes when he rejected $2.4 billion federal stimulus money for building the Tampa-to-Orlando leg of high-speed rail system that would eventually link Tampa to Miami with bullet trains.

 

First, he rejected the money, which would not only pay for 90 percent of the nation's first truly HSR line but also generate thousands of jobs in a state where unemployment is above the national average. And, second, the newbie governor, serving in his first elected office, failed to give advance notice of his intentions to the powers-that-be in the state legislature, including fellow Republicans. Along with much of the rest of the political and business establishments in Florida, those legislators were appalled at the first decision and irked at the second.

 

Twenty-six of them — 11 Democrats and 15 Republicans — sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him not to divvy up the money and send it to other states while they tried to decide whether the governor had exceeded his constitutional authority.

 

For the past two weeks, cajoling and debating with the governor failed to get him to change his mind. So today, two of those legislators, Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) and Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) sued Scott, arguing that Scott did overstep his bounds by rejecting money for a project that was approved in a special legislative session in December 2009.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/01/951452/-Bipartisan-duo-sues-Florida-Gov-Scott-over-rejection-of-federal-high-speed-rail-money

What Ohio city leaders should realize is that the rural/exurban political powerbase in state government (among both parties!) has sought to weaken Ohio's cities for decades. Kasich is likely to continue this course of action whether they pursue 3C on their own or not.

 

Perhaps someone needs to say these exact words to them.  I'm so sick of backward politics in this state and the unreasonable fears that arise from it.  State of Erie, anyone?  [ftp=ftp://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,24993.0.html]http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,24993.0.html[/ftp]

 

This is why I'm totally burned out on advocacy when it comes to this issue.  It's just one ridiculous and baseless excuse after another.  I've used up all reserves of energy I had.  10 or 12 years was all I had in me.  I guess I don't have the stamina others have.  I'm glad you're still in the game, KJP.

 

I would suggest moving , if a decent amount of Ohioans move politicians will notice... and might change there habits.

TUE MAR 01, 2011 AT 06:55 PM EST

Bipartisan duo sues Florida Gov. Scott over rejection of federal high-speed rail money

by Meteor Blades

 

Florida Gov. Rick Scott made two big mistakes when he rejected $2.4 billion federal stimulus money for building the Tampa-to-Orlando leg of high-speed rail system that would eventually link Tampa to Miami with bullet trains.

 

First, he rejected the money, which would not only pay for 90 percent of the nation's first truly HSR line but also generate thousands of jobs in a state where unemployment is above the national average. And, second, the newbie governor, serving in his first elected office, failed to give advance notice of his intentions to the powers-that-be in the state legislature, including fellow Republicans. Along with much of the rest of the political and business establishments in Florida, those legislators were appalled at the first decision and irked at the second.

 

Twenty-six of them 11 Democrats and 15 Republicans sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him not to divvy up the money and send it to other states while they tried to decide whether the governor had exceeded his constitutional authority.

 

For the past two weeks, cajoling and debating with the governor failed to get him to change his mind. So today, two of those legislators, Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) and Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) sued Scott, arguing that Scott did overstep his bounds by rejecting money for a project that was approved in a special legislative session in December 2009.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/01/951452/-Bipartisan-duo-sues-Florida-Gov-Scott-over-rejection-of-federal-high-speed-rail-money

 

I like what the Florida legislators are doing better than moving.

What Ohio city leaders should realize is that the rural/exurban political powerbase in state government (among both parties!) has sought to weaken Ohio's cities for decades. Kasich is likely to continue this course of action whether they pursue 3C on their own or not.

 

Perhaps someone needs to say these exact words to them.  I'm so sick of backward politics in this state and the unreasonable fears that arise from it.  State of Erie, anyone?  [ftp=ftp://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,24993.0.html]http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,24993.0.html[/ftp]

 

This is why I'm totally burned out on advocacy when it comes to this issue.  It's just one ridiculous and baseless excuse after another.  I've used up all reserves of energy I had.  10 or 12 years was all I had in me.  I guess I don't have the stamina others have.  I'm glad you're still in the game, KJP.

 

I would suggest moving , if a decent amount of Ohioans move politicians will notice... and might change there habits.

 

A "decent amount" of Ohioans have moved. It's one of the reasons the powers that be are so entrenched -- because people who "get it" leave (and therefore cease to be Ohio voters). It's very much a chicken-or-egg thing, but leaving is a surefire way to make things worse for those who stay.

 

A "decent amount" of Ohioans have moved. It's one of the reasons the powers that be are so entrenched -- because people who "get it" leave (and therefore cease to be Ohio voters). It's very much a chicken-or-egg thing, but leaving is a surefire way to make things worse for those who stay.

 

Well said. A more effective approach is for more creative, open-minded and worldly people move INTO Ohio. Places with more transients tend to be more willing to be innovative with changes to their landscape because they aren't stuck in the "that's the way we've always done things here" mentality. A person who lived in their house their entire life is less likely to completely remodel it than someone who has just moved into a house.

 

But it's a tough thing to get people to move to Ohio when the economy has been so stagnant for 40 years. And it's tough to energize a stagnant economy when Ohio continues to do the same thing with catalytic public investments, such as transportation, for 40 years too.

 

One of my favorite sayings is that change may involve risk, but standing still guarantees failure.

I would suggest moving , if a decent amount of Ohioans move politicians will notice... and might change there habits.

 

Believe me the thought has crossed my mind (and I know others on this board have thought about it too), but that's just not in the cards for me and my family at any time in the foreseeable future.  Natninja raises a valid point, but I think most people have a breaking point where you can try to help change things for only so long before burnout sets in, and you're bruised and bloodied from beating your head against the wall, so you just say "screw it" and either give up or leave.

 

 

^ I feel you. I would totally understand if you left.

 

Ultimately, you have to be happy enough with what exists currently and not rely on the fruition of what could be. If you can't find contentment in the present, there's a good chance you're better off leaving. You don't owe it to anyone to stay; it's a personal issue.

 

Also...moves don't have to be permanent. To/from Ohio or anywhere. You might run into a "grass is greener" scenario, as so many have.

I would suggest moving , if a decent amount of Ohioans move politicians will notice... and might change there habits.

 

I don't know about that. Some of these "leaders" might not mind a throne of dirt.

^ I feel you. I would totally understand if you left.

 

When it's all said and done, NE Ohio is not a bad place to live, except maybe for winter weather and our sports teams  :wink:

 

The cost of living isn't bad.  Food prices are pretty good.  We have water, which is becoming a problem in other parts of the country.  We have one of the top 5 metroparks systems in North America.  There are positive things happening at the local level: Sustainable Cleveland 2019 initiative, Cuyahoga Valley Initiative.  The Cuy. Valley Scenic Railway is becoming a force to be reckoned with (in a good way).  Cuy. Valley National Park and the Canal Towpath and the network of bike trails that are taking shape throughout Ohio. 

 

It's just too bad that state government has become, in a lot of ways, an impediment to the kind of change that is taking place here. 

 

It's also too bad that we are so vulnerable to oil price spikes that appear to be starting again because of the reckless and deliberate stupidity of our elected officials.

Wouldn't it be "funny" if Cincinnati got better passenger rail service to the south into Kentucky first?

 

March 01, 2011

 

Time right for commuter rail in Kentucky?

Frankfort city official thinks time is right for regional commuter train system

by Dan Dickson

 

Lexington, KY - A group of business commuters board the double-decker, diesel-powered train in downtown Lexington for the relaxing 50-mile-per-hour trip to downtown Frankfort and the State Capitol. At the station, they had the option of taking trains that make a total of 11 stops, ranging from Winchester at the eastern end of the system to Louisville at the western end, with stops in between at Lexington, Midway, Frankfort and Shelbyville.

 

Sound farfetched? Not to Ralph Tharp, executive director of the Kentucky Capital Development Corporation, part of the city of Frankfort's economic development and industrial recruitment effort.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.southsidermagazine.com/Articles-c-2011-03-01-97132.113117-Time-right-for-commuter-rail-in-Kentucky.html

some of my recent Train videos form NJ - NY - MA

 

 

 

 

Secaucus Transfer -- now there's a nice little $600 million station! The funding for that one station could build commuter rail from Lorain to Aurora via Downtown Cleveland and from Canton through Akron to downtown Cleveland and still have a few bucks left over. But the political will is (was?) there in New Jersey and it's not there in Northeast Ohio.

Secaucus Transfer -- now there's a nice little $600 million station! The funding for that one station could build commuter rail from Lorain to Aurora via Downtown Cleveland and from Canton through Akron to downtown Cleveland and still have a few bucks left over. But the political will is (was?) there in New Jersey and it's not there in Northeast Ohio.

 

Its still here , Regional Rail over Light Rail.    When Dems control this state Light Rail over Regional Rail....  It doesn't mean that there is no light rail , its just one project instead of 3-6....those projects are replaced with Regional Rail projects which are cheaper and in this state carry the same amount as Light rail...    The Proposed MOM network will cost 380 Million & carry 120,000 ppl , the Proposed Northern Branch Light Rail will cost 900 Million and carry 25,000...

Florida HSR advocates keep pressing case   

Thursday, March 03, 2011 

 

Despite (or because of) a deadline set by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, numerous pro-rail advocates have continued to press for Scott to reverse his decision to scuttle a proposed high speed rail project linking Tampa and Orlando.

 

In a six-page letter to the governor sent Thursday, the mayors of Tampa, Orlando, Lakeland, and Miami outlined their belief that Scott’s fiscal concerns could be addressed and that HSR could proceed. The letter sought “to clearly restate and further amplify how each of the concerns you have raised have been resolved by the structure we have proposed to eliminate financial risk to the State of Florida and its taxpayers.”

 

Also supporting HSR are the Tampa Bay Partnership, Central Florida Partnership, and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. On Tuesday, two Florida state senators, Thad Altman ® and Arthenia Joyner (D), filed a suit in the state supreme court with the aim of overturning Gov. Scott's decision to abandon plans for high speed rail.  

Read more at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/florida-hsr-advocates-keep-pressing-case.html

 

Its still here , Regional Rail over Light Rail.    When Dems control this state Light Rail over Regional Rail....  It doesn't mean that there is no light rail , its just one project instead of 3-6....those projects are replaced with Regional Rail projects which are cheaper and in this state carry the same amount as Light rail...    The Proposed MOM network will cost 380 Million & carry 120,000 ppl , the Proposed Northern Branch Light Rail will cost 900 Million and carry 25,000...

 

Yes, I know it's still there.  :roll: That wasn't my point. My point was to provide a comparison that the public investment in one station in New Jersey could build an entire rail system for Northeast Ohio.

Tales from the F-L-A.....

 

Florida mayors meet over high-speed rail

Last Updated: Friday, March 04, 2011 4:20 AM

 

LAKELAND -- The mayors from Lakeland, Tampa and Orlando met in Lakeland at noon Thursday to discuss the high-speed rail project.

 

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields, of the "I-4 Super Region", discussed their actions in partnership with the United States Department of Transportation to address Gov. Rick Scott’s concerns about the project and ensure that it can be built with no cost and no risk to Florida taxpayers.

 

Scott objects to a high-speed rail line that would stretch between Tampa and Orlando and eventually connect with Miami. Last month, Scott rejected $2.4 billion in federal funding, saying the project would cost taxpayers too much money.

 

The three mayors said they sent a letter to Scott in which they said they hope he will reconsider his decision.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/february/214181/

 

 

Court rules Gov. Scott can refuse federal money for high-speed rail

By Janelle Jordan, Reporter

Last Updated: Friday, March 04, 2011 10:16 AM

 

ORLANDO -- The Florida Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Rick Scott's authority to kill a proposed Orlando-Tampa high-speed rail line backed by President Barack Obama.

 

The justices on Friday rejected a bipartisan challenge to the Republican governor's refusal to accept $2.4 billion in federal stimulus money for the project. The high court put the case on a fast track because U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had given Scott until Friday to accept the money or lose it to similar projects in other states.

 

Scott has refused, saying he's afraid Florida taxpayers may be on the hook for billions in cost overruns and operating subsidies.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/march/214519/

 

Its still here , Regional Rail over Light Rail.    When Dems control this state Light Rail over Regional Rail....  It doesn't mean that there is no light rail , its just one project instead of 3-6....those projects are replaced with Regional Rail projects which are cheaper and in this state carry the same amount as Light rail...    The Proposed MOM network will cost 380 Million & carry 120,000 ppl , the Proposed Northern Branch Light Rail will cost 900 Million and carry 25,000...

 

Yes, I know it's still there.  :roll: That wasn't my point. My point was to provide a comparison that the public investment in one station in New Jersey could build an entire rail system for Northeast Ohio.

 

Hehe i know what you mean't....  I might aswell show off the other New Stations in the region , theres about a billion $$$ worth of New stations...

 

Trenton Transit Center.... Serves : Amtrak , NJT Northeast Corridor , Septa Trenton line , RiverLine (Future West Trenton / Statehouse Riverline Extension)

Daily Usage : 30,000

 

IMG_3754.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3740.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3753.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3750.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3747.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3739.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3737.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3736.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3735.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3755.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_3759.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

The River Line Center in Trenton by sameold2010, on Flickr

 

Trenton Transit Center 1 by sameold2010, on Flickr

Thanks. It would be great to see some station-area development around the Trenton station. It always surprised me, going back to the mid-80s when I made my first trips on the corridor, that there wasn't much around the immediate station area in Trenton. Same with Philadelphia, although that's starting to change. Hopefully this new station in Trenton will be a greater development magnet.

The new Trenton station strikes me visually as a contemporary version of Cincinnati's Union Terminal. I guess it's the vertical pillars, combined with an overall roundness.

 

Very nice for a contemporary design.

As Florida spurns HSR, others line up for funds    

Friday, March 04, 2011 

 

Claiming political principle, not political grandstanding, as the foundation for Florida’s rejection of $2.38 billion in federal funds for high speed rail, Gov. Rick Scott has also set off a scramble for part or all of that funding from other states not so antagonistic to passenger rail transit.

 

The governor on Friday reaffirmed his rejection of HSR for the Sunshine State, following a decision by the state supreme court unanimously upholding the governor’s authority to do so.

 

The Department of Transportation said it would not extend the state’s deadline again, and “now plans to evaluate our options for making this $2.4 billion available to states eager to develop high speed rail corridors, where the business case is strong, in regions across the United States.”  

Read more at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/as-florida-spurns-hsr-others-line-up-for-funds.html

There is Development plans for around the station including a 25 story glass skyscraper and Affordable housing down along the Riverline in Trenton.

 

Jamaica Station

Serves : Belmont Park Branch , Ronkonkoma Branch , Port Jefferson Branch , Oyster Bay Branch , Hempstead Branch , Far Rockaway Branch , Long Beach Branch , Montuak Branch , West Hempstead Branch , Babylon Branch (Future : Far Rockaway Beach line , Hempstead line , Sag Harbor Branch , Wading River Branch)

 

Daily Usage : 200,000 (1,201 trains)

 

Jamaica Station Along the Track by LI Refugee, on Flickr

 

Jamaica LIRR Station by beau-dog, on Flickr

 

New York - LIRR Jamaica Train Station by mbell1975, on Flickr

 

Jamaica LIRR station. by Vivek.Kumar, on Flickr

 

LIRR Jamaica Station by Richards Albums, on Flickr

 

LIRR @ Jamaica by Richards Albums, on Flickr

 

LIRR @ Jamaica by Richards Albums, on Flickr

 

I'd be interested in comments as to whether this is feasible but with what seems to be an end the Florida story, I question whether it is wise to shift the $2+ billion to California, or whether it would be put to better use improving corridors in the Midwest, Atlantic and Northeast, especially in areas where the contribution of state governments would not be needed.  Assuming, for a moment, that there would a significant increase in ridership if we could guarantee average speeds > 79 mph for Chicago-Pittsburgh, Chicago-St. Louis, Chicago-Buffalo (or beyond), and dedicated track along at least some of those routes, it is conceivable that service could be increased to two or three trains/day in each direction which would allow trains to stop in Cleveland during daylight hours.

 

Ohio could sell its stake in the Panhandle line to Amtrak to re-establish Pittsburgh-Columbus service.

 

Further improvements could be made in Chicago to lessen the impact of freight on passenger traffic.

 

None of this would be as showy as a 90 mile HSR corridor in Florida but, overall, it might have more of an impact on the public's perception of passenger rail especially in the swing states like Oh, Pa and In.

 

Making the trains accessible to day travelers, especially Cleveland-Pittsburgh, would, I think, increase the recreational use of these trains as well as the educational use, perhaps leading in a broader acceptance of the benefits of a balanced transportation infrastructure.

 

I'm not opposed to the project in California, but I think that the funds could be put to better use in other regions, especially if we can keep the short-sighted governors out of the picture.

 

Its mostly a park and ride station , with a few office parks nearby.  Its the Buseit station outside the Main City Terminals

 

Metropark

Serves : NJT Northeast Corridor (Future Freehold Branch) , & Amtrak

Daily Usage : 7,000

 

IMG_5069.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5086.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5088.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5095.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5099.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5103.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5104.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5105.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5110.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_5116.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

I'd be interested in comments as to whether this is feasible but with what seems to be an end the Florida story, I question whether it is wise to shift the $2+ billion to California, or whether it would be put to better use improving corridors in the Midwest, Atlantic and Northeast, especially in areas where the contribution of state governments would not be needed. 

 

 

Wherever those funds are re-directed, it has to be for a project that is truly shovel ready. The problem is, since there was no federal capital funding program for states to use for passenger rail until late 2008, there are very very few projects nationwide that are actually shovel ready. A few states had an immense amount of initiative and chose to develop projects to the point where their plans were eligible to receive federal funds -- just in case federal funds might be made available.

 

Some projects that were very close to being shovel ready, such as the Englwood Flyover on the south side of Chicago (which is used by Amtrak trains to Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland and Alliance) may be in trouble because  GOP interests are seeking to pull back unspent stimulus funds. I can count using fingers on only one hand the number of states that have federal stimulus funds already obligated to passenger rail developments projects. And even in all of those states, such as Illinois, they have sub-projects which were awarded stimulus funds but have not yet been obligated. They are at risk of being pulled back.

 

No other Ohio projects are eligible to receive stimulus funds. The quickest way to obligate unobligated stimulus funds to passenger rail that could benefit Ohio is to award to Amtrak so it could buy a shit-load of rail cars to retire its oldest cars and to expand capacity on its many busy routes, including across Ohio. Amtrak has the designs in hand. I believe they are ready to go, if not very close to it.

Illinois Gov. Quinn signs bill to establish commuter-rail district

 

On Monday, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation that will create the Southeast Commuter Rail Transit District as part of a plan to build a 33-mile Metra line connecting 20 communities to downtown Chicago.

 

The $778 million project will extend Metra service to one of the last metro regions without access to commuter rail, according to Quinn's office. The Southeast Service (SES) Line would run along existing freight- and passenger-rail lines in south Cook and Will counties

 

Read more at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=25983

And many officials in NW Indiana are worried that commuters in their part of the state will drive across the state line to use this new line instead of the South Shore commuter line. And why not -- the South Shore faces serious overcrowding. If NW Indiana officials got serious about bringing back the Chicago-Valparaiso commuter trains, that would certainly help relieve overcrowding on the South Shore line.

And many officials in NW Indiana are worried that commuters in their part of the state will drive across the state line to use this new line instead of the South Shore commuter line. And why not -- the South Shore faces serious overcrowding. If NW Indiana officials got serious about bringing back the Chicago-Valparaiso commuter trains, that would certainly help relieve overcrowding on the South Shore line.

 

Is it really that bad?    Why not create a Northern IN Rail network?

 

Here's a small upgraded station....

 

Tremont Station

Serves : Harlem line (Limited every 30 mins peak and 2hrs off peak)

 

IMG_2859.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_2858.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_2865.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

IMG_2850.jpg by kc2hmv, on Flickr

 

 

 

Is it really that bad?    Why not create a Northern IN Rail network?

 

 

Because, it's Indiana. And they are only slightly ahead of Ohio in offering transportation choices -- mainly because of Chicago's proximity.

Johnson County commits to supporting Iowa City-Chicago rail

by Adam B Sullivan/SourceMedia Group News  ::  UPDATED: 10 March 2011 | 6:48 pm 

 

Tweet The Johnson County Board of Supervisors will send a letter to state transportation officials pledging local contributions for passenger rail operations between Iowa City and Chicago.

 

The supervisors approved the move 5-0 at a meeting on Thursday night, but some of the board members expressed frustration that the state has not committed more support to the rail project.

 

“The governor should just step up and pay these matching funds or say he doesn’t want a railroad here,” Supervisor Janelle Rettig said, adding that reducing traffic on Interstate 80 should be a state priority.

 

Read more at: http://thegazette.com/2011/03/10/johnson-county-commits-to-supporting-iowa-city-chicago-rail/

 

 

 

 

Is it really that bad?    Why not create a Northern IN Rail network?

 

 

Because, it's Indiana. And they are only slightly ahead of Ohio in offering transportation choices -- mainly because of Chicago's proximity.

 

... and because Indiana's Governor Mitch Daniels is Wisconsin's Scott Walker, only with less opposition. Hoosiers are much more susceptible to "divide-and-conquer" tactics; they regard taxes as theft and are all for anything that they're promised will cut their taxes, so long as they're not the ones who will have to give up services or amenities. State legislators who represent NW Indiana are outnumbered by those from central and southern parts of the state, so it's difficult to get funding for commuter transportation in the northwest. On the other hand, there's been little effective opposition to the southwest extension of I-69 between Indianapolis and Vincennes via the most expensive and most environmentally-destructive route from among the available options.

Worth noting that the benefits cited here in this new station opening include those aimed at students and sports fans...

 

Metra to open station along Rock Island line

 

On April 3, Metra plans to open a new station in Chicago at 35th Street along the Rock Island line — the first Metra station to open since 2006.

 

The station, located just east of the Dan Ryan Expressway, will provide a more convenient location for White Sox fans attending the home opener at U.S. Cellular Field on April 7, according to Metra. The station also will offer another mass transit alternative to students at the nearby Illinois Institute of Technology, as well as to local residents and workers, Metra officials said in a prepared statement.

 

The station, to be named after Lovana "Lou" Jones, a state lawmaker who represented the area for 20 years, was funded with $4.9 million in federal dollars and an additional $6.8 million in federal stimulus monies.

 

Read more at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/Metra-to-open-station-along-Rock-Island-line--26023

Meanwhile, back in the South....

 

...."Ridin' on the L&N" (well, not really, buut..).  The proposal for a passenger connection btw Lexington, Frankfort, and Louisville gets some positive press from LEO, the free "alternative weekly" from Louisville:

 

All Aboard?.

 

"....The mayors of Kentucky’s largest cities — Democrats Greg Fischer of Louisville and Jim Gray of Lexington — have vocalized a need for both communities to work together to bring about what they have referred to as a “regional economy” to shore up job creation, not unlike those that have sprung up in North Carolina. As such, the prospect of a rail line could factor heavily in the growth of not only those economies, but, as Schneider notes, it could bolster economies in each town serviced by the line.

 

To this end, Fischer is supportive of any project, including a rail line that could bring about a so-called “super region” in the commonwealth.

 

“My administration is all about pursuing big ideas that can help move the city forward,” Fischer tells LEO Weekly. “We are open to looking into ways to improve the corridor between Lexington and Louisville, as well as develop the regional economy.”[/i]

 

The article mentions, early on, North Carolina as a model for what they could do in Kentucky.  As you all know NC has that passenger train between Raleigh and Charlotte, which serves the booming Piedmont region, so I guess they see the Piedmont as a model for the Bluegrass, as an economic growth region in KY.

 

 

 

 

Oh, the "horror" of high-speed rail!

 

Portland, Maine newspaper quote from noted author Stephen King re: Florida Gov. Scott's decision to kill the state's high speed rail project....

 

http://www.pressherald.com/news/king-calls-republican-governors-the-three-stooges_2011-03-14.html

He also sarcastically praised Scott's decision to decline federal funding for a rail line in Florida.

"He's probably right, probably it would be a bad deal, considering how low the price of gasoline is," King said. "Who would want to get on a railroad when they can ride scenic I-4? And wait in traffic? Maybe my next horror novel could star Rick Scott."

ny making a play for the florida $:

 

03/15/2011 09:35 PM

 

State Eligible For Billions In High-Speed Rail Funds

By: NY1 News

 

 

New York is on track to receive billions of dollars in high speed rail funds.

 

The Obama Administration has designated the Northeast Corridor as a federally-recognized high speed corridor.

 

This allows states in the area to apply for $2.4 billion in federal grants, which were made available after the governor of Florida turned them down.

 

It will also allow Amtrak to be in on the planning process.

 

In order to be eligible for the money, states must show an ability to reduce energy use, improve the efficiency of their transportation network, and generate sustained economic growth.

 

Local lawmakers applauded the move, calling it an engine for job creation.

 

Applications are due on April 4.

 

video:

http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/

Train study: Amtrak service to Montreal could cost $900 million

By Scott Taylor, Staff Writer

Published Mar 17, 2011 12:00 am | Last updated Mar 17, 2011 12:00 am

 

AUBURN — Establishing regular rail service between Auburn and Portland in 2020 could cost up to $234 million to start and could require an $8 million annual subsidy, according to a new study presented Wednesday night.

 

Transportation planners from AECOM told an Auburn crowd that extending that service to Montreal could cost up to $900 million in inflation-adjusted 2020 dollars but the service could attract an additional 204,400 passengers to the Amtrak Downeaster service.

 

"This project and the way that services have grown in Maine so far is much better than most (Amtrak) services in other parts of the country," said Project Manager Jay Duncan. "So that's encouraging. We may have a long way to go, but it's still positive."

Read more at: http://www.sunjournal.com/city/story/1000959

 

Rail deal clears way for fast train

The payoff: 4,800 jobs, $461 million and a quicker Charlotte-Raleigh link.

By Bruce Siceloff

[email protected]

Posted: Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2011

 

After months of wrangling with a reluctant freight railroad, the N.C. Department of Transportation says it has won the agreement it needed to secure $461 million in federal grants that will put faster, more frequent and more reliable passenger trains on the tracks between Charlotte and Raleigh.

 

Gene Conti, the state transportation secretary, said N.C. DOT will start seeking bids over the next two weeks for contracts to lay tracks, build bridges and buy trains.

 

The construction is expected to create 4,800 jobs over the next two years and cut the train time from Raleigh to Charlotte below three hours, including seven stops on the way.

 

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/22/2162151/rail-deal-clears-way-for-fast.html#ixzz1HKXqbnmp

Plans for Hypothetical Train From Phoenix to Tucson OK'd by State Transportation Board

By James King, Mon., Mar. 21 2011 @ 2:29PM

 

​You might think Arizona needs a train connecting Phoenix to Tucson about as badly as the city of Tempe needs a fleet of snowplows: not at all. Either way, a plan to link the two cities via-a rail system earned approval from the state Transportation Board on Friday.

 

The board approved the State Rail Plan, which is the first of many (many) steps that could bring multi-city rail travel to the Grand Canyon State.

 

So now the big question: who's going to pay for it?

 

READ MORE AT:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2011/03/plans_for_hypothetical_train_f.php

 

See the draft state rail plan at:

http://www.bqaz.gov/PDF/DRAFT_ASRP_Chapter_5.pdf

A perspective on the above North Carolina story from the logistics trade media...

 

Rail + Intermodal

N. Carolina, Norfolk Southern Reach Major Grant Deal

John D. Boyd | Mar 22, 2011 3:51PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

 

North Carolina and Norfolk Southern Railway struck an accord on how to spend $461 million in federal grant funds that will improve both freight and inter-city passenger rail service in a key part of that state.

 

That makes it one of the largest grant implementing agreements reached so far between states and freight railroads under the Obama administration's intercity passenger rail program. Earlier accords included a $1.2 billion grant deal between Illinois and Union Pacific Railroad, and one worth at least $590 million for Washington state and BNSF Railway.

 

North Carolina will spend the money mainly on double-tracking and grade separation projects between Charlotte and Greensboro, a planned bridge project at Charlotte that could separate Norfolk Southern's north-south main line from an east-west CSX line, and sidings for trains to pass each other from Greensboro to Raleigh. The state says projects funded under the agreement will create 4,800 jobs.

Read more at: http://www.joc.com/rail-intermodal/n-carolina-norfolk-southern-reach-major-grant-deal

2 Recent Regional Rail videos i took...

 

 

Illinois officials tout high-speed rail construction

 

CHICAGO (AP) -- The next phase of construction on a high-speed rail route between Chicago and St. Louis will begin next month, a high-stakes transportation project similar to those that other states have rebuffed, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Tuesday.

 

"Illinois has always been a strong railroad state and we always will be," Quinn said at an Amtrak rail yard near downtown Chicago.

 

Quinn and Durbin took swipes at other states for turning back money for high-speed rail, including Florida, which rejected $2.4 billion that had been earmarked for rail projects in that state because he was worried taxpayers could get socked with the bill for any overruns and operating subsidies. Illinois has said it will try to get a part any money that other states return.

 

 

Read more at: http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Illinois-officials-tout-high-speed-rail-construction-118486474.html

 

2020/2040 Plans

 

New Jersey Transit / PATCO / PATH

New Jersey

 

 

List of Projects to break Ground in Mid 2011 / 2012 / 2013

Harrison PATH Station

Northern Branch Light Rail

Weehawken LRT PED Overpass Completion

LED Departure boards @ Trenton , Hoboken , Newark , Secaucus

Hawthorne Transit Center

Passaic - Bergen Light Rail

Morristown Station Rehabilitation

Market Street Bus Garage Rehabilitation

Newark Penn station overhaul

Dock , Delair , PATH Hackensack River Bridge repainting

 

 

List of things to be completed by 2012 / 2013

Ridgewood station overhaul

Hoboken Ferry Terminal Overhaul

Hoboken PATH Terminal Overhaul

Newer Transit Bus purchase

Bus Onbroad Smartcard Collection system

Bus Rolling Stock upgrades

Commuter Railcar Rehabilitation

ALP 45DP's

More Double Decker cars

Pennsuaken Transit Center

Lackawanna line ( To Andover)

Walter Rand Transportation center overhaul

PATH Track replacement

New Plauderville station

ADA Somerville Station

Wesmont station

 

 

Projects to be completed by 2035

Hudson Bergen Light Rail - Grove Street / 18th street

6th Street Embankment Hudson Bergen Light Rail

Hudson Bergen Light Rail - Liberty State Park Spur

West Shore line

Northern Branch Light Rail

Philpsburg Connections

Transit Bus purchase

Bus Onbroad Smartcard Collection system

Bus Shelter Installation

Weehawken PED Overpass Completion

Newark Penn station overhaul

Bus Rolling Stock upgrades

Commuter Railcar Rehabilitation

New Arrow Fleet

ALP 45DP's

Arrow Refurbishment

Perth Amboy Station upgrade

Wesmont station

New Brunswick Light Rail

New Brunswick station overhaul

More Double Decker cars

Northeast Corridor wire replacement

Raritan Valley line / Northeast Corridor Grade Separation

More Sidings added to the Atlantic , Pascack Valley lines

LED Departure boards @ Trenton , Hoboken , Newark , Secaucus

Hawthorne Transit Center

Passaic - Bergen Light Rail

MOM Rail network

Lackawanna line

West Trenton line

West Trenton Riverline Extension

Hudson Bergen Light Rail > Northern Branch Corridor

Glassboro Light Rail line

Pennsuaken Transit Center

PATH extension to EWR

NJT Hudson Bergen Light Rail 440 Extension

Hoboken Ferry Terminal Overhaul

Hoboken PATH Terminal Overhaul

New Brunswick Station platform overhaul

Elizabeth Station Overhaul

Newark Embankment Overhaul

Dock , Delair , PATH Hackensack River Bridge repainting

New Portal Bridge

New Meadowlands Yard

Restoration of Ampere station

Restoration of Harrison Station

Ridgewood station overhaul

Newark Light Rail stations overhaul

Walter Rand Transportation center overhaul

Journal SQ PATH Station Overhaul

Harrison PATH station overhaul

PATH system signal upgrades

PATH Track replacement

PATCO car refurbishment

Franklin SQ PATCO station restoration

PATH PA-5 Full purchase

Hudson Bergen-Light Rail Canals Crossing Station

Hudson Bergen-Light Rail Bayonne Bridge Extension

Morristown Station Rehabilitation

New Plauderville station

ADA Somerville Station

Lindenwold Station Upgrade

Shark River Bridge Upgrades

Market Street Bus Garage Rehabilitation

Hoboken Terminal Train Shed repairs

Newark - Paterson LRT

Old Boonton line restoration

Newark Light Rail extension to West Orange

Overhauled Bloomfield Station

Bus Rapid Transit along Park Ave and Bloomfield Ave

 

Large Scale Rail Projects

Project : West Trenton line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 4

Projected Ridership : 10-20,000

 

 

Project : MOM Network

Number of lines : 2-3

Stations : 8-12

Projected Ridership : 120,000

 

Project : Lackawanna line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 3-4

Projected Ridership : 25,000

 

Project : Philpsburg Connections

Number of lines : 2-3

Stations : 5-12

Projected Ridership : 45,000

 

 

Project : Passaic - Bergen Light Rail

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 12

Projected Ridership : 8,000

 

 

Project : Northern Branch Light Rail

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 9

Projected Ridership : 25,000

 

 

Project : PATH extension to EWR

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 2

Projected Ridership : ?

 

 

Project : Pennsuaken Transit Center

Number of lines : 2

Stations : 1

Projected Ridership : ?

 

 

Project : Glassboro Light Rail

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 15

Projected Ridership : 25,000

 

 

Project : West Shore line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 21

Projected Ridership : 60,000

 

 

Project : Sparta line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 13

Projected Ridership : 28,000

 

 

Project : Pompton Branch

Number of lines :

Stations : 5

Projected Ridership : 12,000

 

 

Project : North Newark - JSQ - Downtown Jersey City Light Rail

Number of lines : 1-2

Stations : 17

Projected Ridership : 30-40,000

 

 

Project : Newark - Paterson Light Rail

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 22

Projected Ridership : 50,000

 

 

Project : PATH extension to Midtown Elizabeth via Jersey Gardens

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 8

Projected Ridership : 50-70,000

 

 

Project : New Brunswick Light Rail

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 13

Projected Ridership : 45-50,000

 

 

Project : Cape May line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 7

Projected Ridership : 7-9,000

 

 

Project : Pennsville Light Rail line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 7

Projected Ridership : 6,000

 

 

Project : Salem Light Rail line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 3

Projected Ridership : 4,000

 

 

Project : Newark Light Rail Orange Branch

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 5

Projected Ridership : 12,000

 

Project : Harrison Streetcar

Number of lines : 1-2

Stations : 14

Projected Ridership : 25,000

 

Project : Newark Light Rail > Kearny Branch

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 4

Projected Ridership : 7,000

 

Project : Wildwood Branch

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 2

Projected Ridership : Seasonal

 

Project : Ocean City Branch

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 3

Projected Ridership : Seasonal

 

 

Project : Millville Extension of the Glassboro line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 9

Projected Ridership : 12,000

 

 

Project : West Trenton Riverline extension

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 9

Projected Ridership : 15-20,000

 

 

Project : Mt. Holly Light Rail Branch

Number of lines :

Stations : 10

Projected Ridership : 17,000

 

 

Current Railway / Light Rail lines

Line : Northeast Corridor

Length : 57 mi

Stations : 17

Ridership : 54,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 65,000)

 

Line : Morristown line

Length : 57 mi

Stations : 26

Ridership : 50,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 70,000)

 

Line : Gladstone Branch

Length : 22 mi

Stations : 13

Ridership : 5,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 12,000)

 

Line : Montclair / Boonton line

Length : ?

Stations : 19

Ridership : 17,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 25,000)

 

Line : Main line

Length : 30 mi

Stations : 26

Ridership : 9,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 17,000)

 

Line : Bergen line

Length : 20 mi

Stations : 7

Ridership : 5,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 13,000)

 

Line : Pascack Valley line

Length : 30 mi

Stations : 18

Ridership : 6,500 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 11,000)

 

Line : Port Jervis line

Length : 95 mi

Stations : 26

Ridership : 7,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 9,000)

 

Line : North Jersey Coast line

Length : 65 mi

Stations : 28

Ridership : 18,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 27,000)

 

Line : Raritan Valley line

Length : ?

Stations : 20

Ridership : 12,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 18,000)

 

System : RiverLine

Length : 34 mi

Stations : 20

Ridership : 11,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 25,000)

 

System : Newark Light Rail

Length : 14 mi

Stations : 20

Ridership : 21,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 40,000)

 

System : Hudson Bergen Light Rail

Length : 21 mi

Stations : 24

Ridership : 40,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 100,000)

 

System : PATH

Length : 14 mi

Stations : 13

Ridership : 250,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 290,000)

 

System : PATCO

Length : 14 mi

Stations : 13

Ridership : 40,000 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 55,000)

 

Line : Atlantic line

Length : 68 mi

Stations : 8

Ridership : 6,500 (Projected 2020 Ridership : 15,000)

 

Total Projected 2020 Regional Rail / TRAM/Train Ridership with all Projects completed : 467,000

Total Projected 2020 Light Rail & Heavy Rail Ridership with all the Projects Completed : 518,000

And I thought I was obsessive about rail!  :cry:  Sheesh!

And I thought I was obsessive about rail!  :cry:  Sheesh!

 

I'm just bored....

 

New York / Connecticut

Metro North

Projects to be completed by 2045

 

Electrification of the Hudson line to Poughkeepsie

Replacement of White Plains station

re-electrification of the Danbury line

Croton / New Haven shop upgrades

New Haven Union station canopy over tracks

Spuyten Duyvil Bridge replacement

System wide PTC ingratiation

M8 Car Purchase

M8 Bar / Cafe Car replacement

More Sidings / Signal upgrades added to the Waterbury / Danbury line

Replacement of the New Haven line's wires , bridges and stations

Double Decker Cars for Hudson / Harlem line

Overhaul of Grand Central Terminal platform areas

Downtown Norwalk station

Georgetown Station

West Haven Station

Fairfield Metro Center

East Stamford

New Milford Danbury line extension

Hoboken Terminal Overhaul

Hudson / New Haven line Extension to Penn station

 

Large Scale Rail Projects

Project : New Haven line extension to Penn Station

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 3

Projected Ridership : 60,000

 

 

Project : Hudson line extension to Penn Station

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 3

Projected Ridership : 30,000

 

Project : West Shore line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 23

Projected Ridership : 60,000

 

 

Project : Restoration of the Main line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 6

Projected Ridership : 8,000

 

 

Project : Restoration of the Beacon line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 5

Projected Ridership : 6,000

 

 

Project : Restoration of the Maybrook line

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 4

Projected Ridership : 4,000

 

 

Project : I 287 Light Rail Corridor

Number of lines : 2

Stations : 14

Projected Ridership : 90,000

 

Project : Extension of the Port Jervis line to Stewart Airport

Number of lines : 1

Stations : 2

Projected Ridership : 2,000

 

 

Current System

Line : Pascack Valley line

Length : 30 mi

Stations : 18

Ridership : 6,500 > Projected 2020 Ridership : 11,000

 

Line : Port Jervis line

Length : 95 mi

Stations : 26

Ridership : 7,000 > Projected 2020 Ridership : 9,000

 

Line : New Haven line

Length : 74 mi

Stations : 30

Ridership : 112,000 > Projected 2020 Ridership : 140,000

 

Line : New Canaan branch

Length : 8 mi

Stations : 5

Ridership : 4,000 > Projected 2020 Ridership : 6,000

 

Line : Danbury Branch

Length : 24 mi

Stations : 8

Ridership : 1,200 > Projected 2020 Ridership : 7,000

 

Line : Waterbury Branch

Length : 29

Stations : 7

Ridership : 1,500 > Projected 2020 Ridership : 8,000

 

Line : Hudson line

Length : 74 mi

Stations : 29

Ridership : 47,000 > Projected 2020 Ridership : 73,000

 

Line : Harlem line

Length : 82 mi

Stations : 38

Ridership : 43,000 > Projected 2020 Ridership : 70,000

 

Total 2020 Rail Ridership with all the projects completed : 390,000

Quinn, Durbin announce next phase of high-speed rail construction

THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

Posted Mar 22, 2011 @ 11:00 PM

Last update Mar 23, 2011 @ 05:58 AM

   

The next phase of high-speed rail construction between St. Louis and Chicago again will skip Springfield while a study continues to try to determine the best route for increased passenger and freight traffic through the city.

 

Gov. Pat Quinn and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced in Chicago on Tuesday a $685 million agreement to build track upgrades between Lincoln and Dwight and between Alton and the Mississippi River.

 

A $1.2 billion federal grant is paying for upgrades intended eventually to accommodate train speeds up to 110 mph. The state also has pledged $42 million.

 

Read more at:

http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x698066525/Quinn-Durbin-making-high-speed-rail-announcement

Springfield, MO kspr.com abc affiliate

 

Nixon says Missouri prepares application for high-speed rail from St. Louis to Kansas City

By Associated Press

March 29, 2011

 

 

KIRKWOOD, Mo. (AP) — The state of Missouri will apply for federal funding to construct high-speed rail service between the state's two metropolitan areas.

 

Gov. Jay Nixon is scheduled to announce details of the application during a 10 a.m. news conference at the Kirkwood Amtrak station in suburban St. Louis.

Read more at: http://www.kspr.com/sns-ap-mo--high-speedrail-missouri,0,3072363.story