AAR: High-speed Rail Grants Recognize Rail’s Vital Role in U.S. Economic Recovery
28 Jan 2010
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AAR Communications 202-639-2100
Holly Arthur harthur@aar.org
AAR: High-speed Rail Grants Recognize Rail’s Vital Role in U.S. Economic Recovery
Freight Rail Provides Foundation for President’s High-speed Rail Vision
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jan. 28, 2010 – The following is a statement from Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger in response to President Barack Obama’s award of $8 billion in federal grants to 31 states around the U.S. for high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects.
“Moving more people and goods by rail is good for America. The Obama Administration’s announcement today recognizes the vital importance of rail to our nation’s economic recovery.
At a time when our country is working toward economic recovery, rail is clearly a good investment. Each $1 billion invested in growing the nation’s rail system creates 20,000 jobs. Today, freight railroads support 1.2 million jobs and generate nearly $265 billion in total U .S. annual economic activity.
In addition to supporting essential jobs in communities all across the country, rail provides tremendous public benefits. We take trucks off the road, easing highway congestion and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. We also provide the foundation for President Obama’s transportation vision that enables more livable, interconnected communities with greater efficiency and choices for people and businesses.
The federal grants announced today will offer a unique opportunity to expand intercity passenger rail service in a manner that better meets the needs of both the general public and users of rail services.
The Federal Railroad Administration’s guidelines for high-speed rail make clear that states applying for grants for intercity and high-speed rail projects are required to have written agreements with the host freight railroads on issues such as safety, infrastructure capacity, compensation and liability.
This ultimately will help ensure that higher speed rail does not compromise the vital present and future role of freight rail in America’s economic recovery.”
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Editors’ Note: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers. AAR members include the major freight railroads, or Class I railroads, of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Class I railroads represent 67 percent of the U.S. freight rail mileage and 90 percent of freight railroad industry employees. Railroads account for 43 percent of intercity freight volume — more than any other mode of transportation. For more information, visit www.aar.org or follow us on Twitter: AAR_FreightRail.