July 21, 2009
Contact: Gordon Hickey
(804) 225-4260
www.governor.virginia.gov
GOVERNOR KAINE, LOCAL LEADERS MAKE CASE FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL IN VIRGINIA
~ Business and elected leaders urge funding approval to expand passenger service and encourage growth along Washington, DC to Richmond/Petersburg corridor ~
Governor Timothy M. Kaine today joined with regional business and local government officials to appeal for federal funds to develop high speed rail between Washington, DC and the Richmond and Petersburg region. The broad swath of state and local officials stood with representatives of area Chambers of Commerce in a strong show of support for expanded passenger rail service that would encourage economic development along one of the nation's busiest corridors.
“The economies of the national capital region and state capital region are integrally connected,” Governor Kaine said. “This first nationwide investment in high speed rail can help rebalance transportation options for Virginians--and reduce our dependence on a stressed highway system--while reducing pollution and creating jobs all along the I-95 corridor.”
On July 10, the Commonwealth submitted preapplications for more than $2 billion of high speed rail projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) high speed rail program. The ARRA rail stimulus program will provide $8 billion in federal funds to support high speed and intercity passenger rail projects across the country --another $5 billion in federal funds is expected to be committed in the next decade. Virginia's applications focus on the I-95 corridor between Washington, DC and Petersburg and would further the Commonwealth's commitment to freight and passenger rail options. Recent infrastructure investments and public-private partnerships include expansions of passenger rail service along the routes from Richmond and Lynchburg to Washington, DC and the Northeast Corridor that are expected to remove 1.4 millions cars from highways, save more than 8.3 million gallons of fuel, and eliminate 66,000 tons of carbon emissions each year.
“High speed rail is a tremendous economic development opportunity with the power to transform the Richmond region in a very positive way,” said Kim Scheeler, President & CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
"The Greater Richmond Chamber is extremely excited about the prospect of high speed rail in our region because of the transformational economic development potential it creates." stated Kim Scheeler, President & CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber.
Katherine Busser, Immediate Past Chair of the Greater Richmond Chamber and a Co-Chair of the Capital Region Collaborative said, "The Collaborative is united in our support for the high speed rail and we wanted to join forces with those who are working hard to make this a reality for the Capital region. The level of cooperation and excitement about this issue is incredible. We know that our entire region will benefit from high speed rail."
"The Richmond Regional Planning District Commission is very excited to partner with the Greater Richmond Chamber on the Capital Region Collaborative,” said Robert Crum, Executive Director of the RRPDC. "The Region's support for high speed rail is an example of how our community can come together to support an initiative that will benefit the entire Richmond Region."
Hanover County Supervisor and RRPDC Board member John Gordon added that he looks forward to the opportunities that continued regional cooperation will offer the Richmond Region. "High speed rail is the Collaborative's first success story, and I look forward to working with our regional partners to advance other important initiatives that will strengthen the Richmond Region."
Transportation options such as passenger rail provide congestion relief and economic benefits by encouraging tourism, supporting jobs and promoting local investment. According to the Virginia Statewide Rail Plan, the total wages of Amtrak employees in Virginia amount to more than $50 million per year, and Amtrak spends approximately $50 million per year for goods and services in Virginia.
The timeline for grant awards includes at least two rounds, with Round 1 in fall 2009 and Round 2 in spring 2010. States were requested to submit pre-applications for all projects no later than July 10, 2009, even if projects will be submitted as part of later rounds of grant awards. Complete details of the program funding criteria, timeline and project selection process are available online at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2153 .
