Stimulus Could GIve Calif. High-Speed Rail [View All]

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High-speed rail could get billions more from Obama
By JOHN BOITNOTT

Suddenly, the state of California may have moved even closer to getting high-speed rail.

The California Public Interest Research group hailed news on Thursday that billions of dollars in President Barack Obama's recently passed stimulus plan could be used to pay for the state's new high-speed rail system.

Congress added $9.3 billion in the American Reinvestment and Economic Recovery Act for development of high-speed rail and other intercity rail throughout the U.S.

The amount was a large increase from the Senate version of the bill and came on top of $8.4 billion already designated for other public transit agencies.

“This bill, especially the money for high speed rail, marks a bold step for 21st century transportation,” said John Krieger, with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. “After decades of looking on with envy at efficient bullet trains overseas, American high speed rail is finally leaving the station.”

more:

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Did-Stimulus-Just-Give-California-High-Speed-Rail.html