From Green Right Now Reports
California has ambitious rail plans.
California is No. 1 with a bullet … train that is.
When the federal government recently awarded $8 billion for the development of high speed railway projects, the Golden State took the big prize — $2.3 billion. California High-Speed Rail Authority chairman Curt Pringle called the award “fantastic news for California and for our state’s high-speed rail project.”
“It is an award that will lead to the creation of tens of thousands of quality jobs in the near-term and to continued economic strength and enhance our transportation network in the longterm,” Pringle said in a statement.
California, he noted, is closer than any other state or region to building the first true high-speed rail system in the United States.” The federal money recognizes California’s work in partnering with local governments and state legislators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to put the plan into action, he said.
Here’s a look at the states that were winners, the amount of funding, and a brief description of the projects being funded:
California ($2.344 billion) — Work will include purchasing right-of-way, constructing track, signaling systems, and stations, and completing environmental reviews and engineering documents; other work that ultimately will allow for top speeds of 110 mph from Los Angeles to San Diego; four new station tracks at San Jose Diridon Station to almost double capacity and a universal crossover between Davis and Sacramento, which will reduce trip times and improve on-time performance; fund upgrades of the trains’ emissions control equipment, which will reduce pollution.
Illinois|Missouri ($1.133 billion) — Improvements that allow passenger rail service from Chicago to St. Louis at speeds up to 110 mph – a plan advocated by the Midwest High Speed Rail Association; overhaul of track, signal systems, and existing stations; implementation of positive train control technology; planning studies for additional service enhancements; expansion of existing railroad bridges and universal crossovers, as well as improved grade crossings.
Florida ($1.250 billion) — Construct 84 miles of track, build and enhance stations, and purchase equipment to serve the Tampa-Orlando corridor.
Minnesota|Wisconsin|Illinois ($823 million) — A planning study for extension of high-speed rail service to the Twin Cities; new and refurbished stations; implementation of positive train control technology along 80 miles of track; infrastructure enhancements, and signal and track improvements to enhance time performance and reliability.
North Carolina|Virginia|Washington D.C. ($620 million) — Nearly 30 interrelated projects will increase top train speeds to 90 mph and double the number of round trips along this corridor; purchase and rehabilitation of locomotives and cars, track upgrades, and station security improvements; add a third track from Arkendale to Powell’s Creek; cut congestion.
Washington|Oregon ($568 million) — Building bypass tracks to allow for increased train frequency and multiple upgrades to existing track and signal systems; safety-related projects; upgrading Portland’s Union Station; engineering and environmental work for track and signaling projects that will increase service reliability and reduce congestion.
Ohio ($400 million) — Track upgrades, grade crossings, new stations, and maintenance facilities.
Michigan|Illinois ($200 million) — Renovate stations in Troy and Battle Creek, MI; construct new station in downtown Dearborn; other station renovations, a new station, a flyover, approach bridges, and embankment and retaining walls; crossovers and signal system improvements to cut travel times improve on-time performance.
New York|Montreal ($151 million) — Construction of new track, signaling and interlocking improvements, upgrades to warning devices at grade crossings, and enhancements to stations in Rochester and Buffalo; three miles of new track to relieve congestion and improve on-time performance.
Massachusetts|New York|Washington, D.C. ($112 million) — Completion of engineering and environmental work for a new tunnel in Baltimore and a new station at BWI Airport. Projects also will span Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Maine ($35 million) — Restore more than 30 miles of track, including 36 grade crossings, to extend new passenger rail service from Portland to Brunswick, ME.
Pennsylvania ($27 million) — Eliminate three remaining grade crossings on the corridor to improve the 110 mph service; study an extension of the service to Pittsburgh.
Connecticut|Massachusetts|Vermont ($160 million) — Implement track, passenger stations and signal upgrades to relocate the Amtrak Vermonter service to a more direct route; Vermonter New England Central Railroad route improvements; construct new segment of second main track to increase reliability and improve service quality, and reduce trip times.
Iowa ($17 million) — Install four remotely controlled powered crossovers on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Ottumwa subdivision, which will reduce travel times and improve on-time performance.
Texas ($4 million) — Implement the final design and construction of signal timing improvements at grade crossings between Austin and Fort Worth to increase the operating speed of Amtrak’s Texas Eagle and improve on-time performance.