High-speed rail: Biden praises Midwest plan to enhance passenger train system

[marmar]

from the Chicago Tribune:



High-speed rail: Biden praises Midwest plan to enhance passenger train system
Federal officials laud Midwest pitch for upgrade funds

By Mike Dorning and Jon Hilkevitch | Tribune reporters
June 4, 2009


WASHINGTON -- Obama administration officials offered encouraging signs Wednesday that a proposed Midwest high-speed rail network based around a Chicago hub has an inside track on a significant piece of $8 billion to be distributed among 10 major U.S. projects.

Vice President Joe Biden lauded the Midwest proposal, which envisions passenger trains speeding through the region at 110 m.p.h., as "one of the most comprehensive plans that have been put forward so far."

The full 3,000-mile Midwest corridor system stretching over nine states would cost $9.6 billion to construct over 10 years, according to the latest estimate.

But "for $3.4 billion, you can get a big chunk of this plan done," Biden said in a conference call with reporters.

........

Regardless of how much money the Midwest project receives in the first round of funding, the initial phase of work in and around Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit would concentrate on eliminating slow zones, where Amtrak passenger trains often travel as slow as 10 m.p.h. because of freight train interference and antiquated tracks and signals.

The goal would be to increase those speeds to 30 to 50 m.p.h. initially and faster later, operating in accordance with the philosophy of rail experts that the key to going fast is to not go slow. ..........(more)

The complete piece is: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-midwest-highspeed-rail-04-jun04,0,7751889.story