WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has received 278 pre-applications for grant funding totaling $102 billion.
The money will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) — the “bailout” — for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail competitive grant program.
“The response has been tremendous and shows that the country is ready for high-speed rail,” Secretary LaHood said. “It’s time to look beyond our highways and invest in public transportation services like rail, which will enhance regional mobility and reduce our carbon footprint.”
Pre-applications by region:
Northeast
- Total Number of Pre-applications Submitted: 79
- Total Requested Funds: $35 billion
South/Southeast
- Total Number of Pre-applications Submitted: 44
- Total Requested Funds: $16 billion
Midwest
- Total Number of Pre-applications Submitted: 47
- Total Requested Funds: $13 billion
West
- Total Number of Pre-applications Submitted: 108
- Total Requested Funds: $38 billion
Forty states and the District of Columbia filed pre-applications. While not all proposed projects can be funded, the Department will work with states and regions to identify priorities and prepare for ongoing high-speed passenger rail development.
