Posted on 03/05/2010 6:16:04 AM PST by Willie Green
(NAPSI)-Many believe that transforming this nation's transportation network can put the country on track for new jobs, a healthier economy and more mobility.
The Interstate Highway System began more than 50 years ago. And just as that vision led to a system of highways that was the envy of the world and an economic engine for America, the nation may soon embark on an ambitious plan that will lead to a network of high-speed rail corridors.
Investing in environmentally friendly and energy-efficient high-speed rail projects will:
• Support and create highly skilled jobs in the transportation industry and revitalize domestic industries supplying transportation products and services.
•Upgrade passenger and freight operations on newly revitalized tracks, bridges and rights of way, spurring business productivity along all corridors.
• Provide hundreds of thousands of forward-looking, green-collar jobs.
• Reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil while keeping billions of dollars in the U.S. economy; decrease greenhouse gas emissions; help meet national and international climate change goals; and improve air quality.
• Reduce congestion, improve connectivity and provide more travel choices.
At a town hall meeting in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 28, 2010, President Obama announced more than $8 billion in grants for high-speed rail-a follow-up to the State of the Union address that focused on getting Americans back to work. Thirteen passenger rail corridors in 31 states will receive grants, which are funded by the economic recovery act enacted last year.
High-speed rail will not only increase mobility options while decreasing travel between cities, but it will also put thousands of Americans back to work.
For more information on the proposed high-speed rail legislation or to contact your member of Congress, visit highspeedrailonline.org or call (202) 496-4800.
Can you say, ‘Boondoggle Of Epic Proportions At Taxpayer Expense?’
Yep. I didn’t think so, LOL!
A few months back, it was reported on the inauspicious opening of the Northstar rail train, the mass transit project that came in almost 100% overbudget and 50% shorter in distance. Northstar (MN) managed to shave a whole 2 minutes off the commute between Big Lake and Minneapolis, all for a measly $317 million. Oh well, government has a bunch of extra money these days, right?
Now meet Northstar’s ugly bridesmaid. It’s also been reported multiple times on the proposed tourist train to Duluth. You remember this route as the one that was such a money loser Amtrak dumped it in 1985.
Now Anoka County and partners seek to resurrect it, apparently unaware that there’s now a freeway called I-35 that carries people up to Duluth quickly, efficiently, cheaply, and conveniently. Anoka County also is apparently unaware that once a train dumps you off in Duluth there is no easy way to get around.
But that doesn’t matter. It’s all about hiring lobbyists, wining and dining, and visiting Washington, DC to act like a big shot.
Taxpayers got a giant dose of sticker shock this week when MnDOT estimated the cost of the line to be an obscene $990 million dollars - more than 3 times the cost of Northstar!
The paid consultants had estimated the line to be some 2/3rds of that cost, $615 million. Almost $1 billion for a train to Duluth is simply obscene.
Ah, yes - the Progressive Choo-choo to Delusionville.
Many believe that transforming this nation’s transportation network can put the country on track for new jobs, a healthier economy and more mobility.
AAAAAAAAAACK! mindless money hole. I will stake my reputation on it. Trucks and rail freight are where the money should be, and that spells rail freight and Interstate highway system. Anything else is a distraction, just as AGW, alternative fuels, alternative energy, sustainable development, and a thousand other mindless efforts at distraction.
Many believe that transforming this nation's transportation network can put the country on track for new jobs, a healthier economy and more mobility.
Many also believe in Santa Claus.
Provide hundreds of thousands of forward-looking, green-collar jobs.
Hahahaha Obviously they mean UNION jobs.
High-speed rail will not only increase mobility options while decreasing travel between cities, but it will also put thousands of Americans back to work.
Oh fine. Can I bring my car on the train so I can drive from the train station? No? I didn't think so. Guess I'll drive, thank you.
So ... what will the gate-to-gate travel time be from northern Virginia to Los Angeles?
Over 75% of the species on the planet use flight as their primary mode of transportation because it is, by far, the most efficient means of getting from point A to point B. Only one species builds trains. Kinda says it all, doesn't it?
Wisconsin is getting $822 million from the Feds to put hi-speed rail through here, from Chicago to Milwaukee to Madistan and eventually the Twin Cities in MN.
That ought to get the Thugocracy, gangbangers and drug pushers up here from Chicago at a much faster rate of import than they can manage now on the interstate road systems!
And we taxpayers get to PAY for these additional problems.
Here’s a terrific site with lots of good info on why this is such a bad idea just HERE in my little County. Multiply this by every county this thing touches and you’ve got some serious fiscal trouble!
http://thegreattrainrobbery.org/
Progressives: Taking 19th century ideas, and updating them to make them even suckier and more expensive. Whoo-Hoo!
More urban thinking.
And just how is your disdain for "urban thinking" going to win a national election?
So, you are implying that we should focus more on building flying cars, right?
;^)
All the comfort and luxury of a Greyhound bus and the cost efficiency of the Bif Dig. Soviet transportation at its finest.
Here come the Choo choos!!!!
and it will be Green, and make great jobs, and save the economy! Wooo hoooo!!!!!
Who in the blue blazes is the North American Press Syndicate?
Isn’t Syndicate a more polite word for “Mafia”?
I don't have any problems with City Mouse as long as he doesn't forget his brother Country Mouse.
Taxpayers should not have to pay for a few people’s lingering childhood choo-choo fetish. Taxpayers should not have to pay for the crapola that the trendy greenies have fallen for in epic proportion. This is not Europe.
I want one! Or else I want wings. I can’t decide. :)
I’m just reading random articles until the gardening thread is posted...*sigh*
It’s up!
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