Chicago, 8 states form high-speed rail group

[marmar]

via Chicago Sun-Times:



Chicago, 8 states form high-speed rail group
July 27, 2009

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


The governors of eight Midwest states have agreed to set up a steering committee to help with their bid for federal cash to pay for a regional high-speed rail network.

The eight states have worked together for months to promote such a system with Chicago as its hub.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and governors from four other states met in Chicago on Monday to sign a memorandum establishing the Midwest Rail Steering Group. That group will coordinate the states' application for a share of the $8 billion in federal stimulus cash for such projects.

Competition for the money is stiff. Officials say 40 states have submitted 278 plans totaling $102 billion for federal rail funding.

In addition to Quinn, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland also attended the meeting in Chicago.


http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1686935,chicago-high-speed-rail-072709.article

[Buzz Clik]

1. If that friggin' dead wood Mitch Daniels (R, IN) wasn't there, I'll be very upset.

Michigan and Ohio will have a hard time connecting to Illinois and Wisconsin if Indiana isn't on board.


:mad:

[marmar]

2. We'll just build a bridge over Lake Michigan.....

.... passing the abandoned mills in Gary and Hammond is rather unplesant anyway. :P

[KamaAina]

3. Or just don't put any stops there

:P

[madrchsod]

4. some of the best roadbed in the midwest was sold off years ago

now they are going to try to buy right of ways to major cities in the mid-west. it will take 10-20 years to build to build the system . 102 billion is just a starter money for the midwest rail-lines

[rurallib]

5. hey hey. I got to ride on the promotional trip in Iowa yesterday!

Man it was nice. And cool. And comfortable.