Congress Expected to Support High Speed Rail Funding Request

The Obama Administration is moving ahead with its plans for a national high-speed rail system after opposition on the part of some conservative lawmakers backfired.

1 minute read

February 9, 2011, 2:00 PM PST

By Michael Dudley

As part of its ambitious 25-year plan to connect 80% of the U.S. with high-speed rail, the Obama Administration intends to ask Congress for $53 billion over six years to fund the system. According to the Huffington Post, this initial outlay would be

"a drop in the bucket relative to the price tag needed to complete a national system, even on top of the approximately $11 billion that the administration has already spent. [As well, the] states...would only have to provide a small portion of the funds for the rail projects themselves. Republican governors have tried to flex their fiscally-conservative muscles by declining federal funds for high-speed rail projects, but in several instances, the backlash has been severe."

With the majority of states recognizing the benefits of rail, it appears that the proposal will obtain bipartisan support.

For more high-speed rail news, visit The Railist.

FULL STORY: Sam Stein Sam Stein HuffPost Reporting [email protected] GET UPDATES FROM Sam Like White House Seeks $53 Billion For Hig

Wednesday, February 9, 2011 in Huffington Post

Transportation United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.