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Keep A. I. Lazamataz in Bandwidth
Posted on 05/09/2011 12:12:04 PM PDT by LurkedLongEnough
After lobbying federal officials hard and long for $270 million for the Springfield-to-New Haven high-speed rail project, Connecticut landed just $30 million Monday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the distribution of $2 billion for fast train projects, and Connecticut was counting on a hefty share.
Despite earlier signals from LaHood that Connecticut and the rest of the Northeast stood a solid chance, he ended up giving more than half the money to projects in the Midwest and California.
Despite heavy traffic congestion and dense population, Connecticut got less than 2 percent of the funding.
"Any money for high-speed rail is good, but I'm disappointed, Sen. Richard Blumenthal said by phone Monday morning. "This isn't as much as we deserve and need. I can tell you I'll continue working for other money for this."
(Excerpt) Read more at courant.com ...
FL’s Rick Scott is looking smart already. I guarantee we have about 10 years of stories like this of failed, unused systems and cost over-runs by the billions.
You forget that it’s CT so the federal govt is their bank... Chris Dodd & all.
Why would anyone want to take a high-speed train to Springfield or New Haven?
30 million could buy a Boeing 737 that would make the 60 mile trip in about 9 minutes. Possibly its nosewheel could set down on a rail.
30 mil will barely cover the environmental impact study.
Feeding the alligator, hoping he eats you last.
You can get the bus from Boston to New York City (through CT) and it only costs $1 - if price is the object. There has been a powerful construction conspiracy in CT for years.
Stupid Conn Democrats....
Obama needs MIDWEST votes to win, he’s got YOURS locked up.
There has been a powerful construction conspiracy
mmmm.....yes, let’s see....what were those guys’ names again?......Tony, Uncle Junior, Pauly Walnuts....
To get to New York or Boston.
No idea of Gov. Snyder's opinions on this subject, but while I think Trains deserve consideration, and the Detroit to Chicago line would be near what could break even time wise, I have strong doubts about the viability of any specific project. Part of the problem on the Detroit end is, Where is the station going to be? (many from the suburbs will not go into the city). Which comes to point two, how many people realistically are going to ride it and would this number of fare payers cover the costs of running the system. Will the system have enough parking for those trying to ride it, if not lower the number of potential customers. These are details that do matter if this is going to anything more than a vote buying scheme.
There won’t be a train. They can’t even fund a demo of a dedicated run between Detroit and Ann Arbor.
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