Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) applauded today’s announcement from the Federal Railroad Administration committing $336.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail. $268.2 million will be used to purchase 48 high-performance passenger rail cars, as well as 7 quick-acceleration locomotives for the Midwest Corridors in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri.
I commend President Obama, Secretary LaHood and the Federal Railroad Administration for their dedication to developing high-speed rail in the United States, said Dingell. My Republican colleagues have proposed rescinding all unobligated high-speed rail funding. I reject this short-sighted position as it will only further setback our Nation’s transportation system. Most first world economy’s including our neighbors in China, Japan and France have had great success in developing high-speed rail, reducing trip times for commuters, families and tourists, and making travel more environmentally friendly. The notice of today’s funding obligation for the Midwest equipment pool will allow the Midwest Corridor to start hiring the workforce needed to implement their high-speed rail project and begin purchasing the new passenger cars and locomotives needed to increase speeds necessary for high-speed rail. I am confident this Midwest project will not only create jobs and improve the ridership experience regionally, but increase transportation jobs and rail ridership across the country. I hope that today’s announcement will be the first of many allowing Michigan to move forward with critical rail infrastructure projects.
High-speed rail projects have a Buy America requirement to ensure that U.S. manufacturers and workers will also benefit from the development of high-speed rail. This announcement is part of funding that was first awarded in May 2011. It will be used to invest in Next Generation rail equipment which will deliver safer and more reliable passenger travel using the latest generation of technology.
