Posted on 10/05/2009 1:00:42 PM PDT by Willie Green
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania recently submitted applications to the federal government for $3.1 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make high-speed rail improvements, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.
"The applications we've submitted prove that Pennsylvania stands ready to address transportation challenges with forward thinking and community support," Governor Rendell said. "Pennsylvanians want efficient transportation that reduces congestion and is better for the environment; high-speed rail is what we need to meet these demands."
The $8 billion initiative in the Recovery Act is part of President Obama's proposal to invest in efficient, high-speed passenger rail to address the nation's transportation challenges.
PennDOT submitted the following projects for Recovery Act funding:
The projects were submitted under Track 2 of the Recovery Act's high-speed passenger rail initiative, which aims to substantially upgrade existing services or develop new high-speed rail corridor or intercity passenger rail services. The applications were submitted on Friday, Oct. 2.
PennDOT previously submitted applications for Tracks 1 and 3 of the initiative. Track 1 addresses recovery through final design or construction of projects with completed environmental clearances and preliminary engineering, and also through completion of project clearances or preliminary engineering. Track 3 is intended to establish a pipeline for future high-speed intercity passenger rail projects.
Under Track 1, preliminary engineering for four separate projects on Keystone Corridor East - Harrisburg to Philadelphia was the basis for a $27.45 million application. The preliminary engineering totals $30.5 million. A feasibility study of enhanced intercity passenger rail service for Keystone Corridor West - Harrisburg to Pittsburgh was submitted under Track 3. The study is estimated to cost $1.5 million and the commonwealth is seeking $750,000 in recovery dollars to help pay for it.
For more information on the candidate projects or submitted application, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.
“Keystone Corridor East - Harrisburg to Philadelphia: construction of four separate projects that include track, signal, power and catenary upgrades, grade crossing removal and addition of a third express track between Atglen and Paoli. The improvements will increase the corridor’s maximum operating speed to 125 mph, reducing trip times. The construction totals $489.8 million and the commonwealth is seeking full funding of the improvements.”
These clowns have been taking the train from 30th St to Harrisburg forever. They want 1/2 Billion to speed their trip.
I wonder if they are schmoozing or fudge packing when they get to Harrisburg.
Hey, for $1billion I will PERSONALLY build them a maglev
Helping his buddy in the White House spend the money. Does Pa. really need the repairs or monies, really?
Helping his buddy in the White House spend the our money.
I think a network of high speed trains would be good, but the only way to know for sure would be to unburden the investors, and see what the free market wants.
Well I guess if you live and travel in PA speeding up your time there can be seen as an improvement. I personally always speed up when driving through PA, the sooner its in the rear view mirror the better. Land of skin tags - scary.
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