Pols try to steer rail funds to PA
Friday, April 17th, 2009
By: Susan Phillips
sphillips@whyy.org
Rail lines along the East Coast corridor could be getting part of the $8 billion dollars in stimulus funds. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter listened to President Obama in the nation's capitol yesterday as Obama discussed why the U.S. needs a nationwide high speed rail system like those in Japan and France.
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The Transportation Department has identified 10 possible routes that could get funding. One route includes the rail line from D.C. to Boston, as well as the line from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. Mayor Nutter says the goal is to have the trains run at least 100 miles per hour.
Nutter: Initially we'll see an upgrade in track work in our local system that will allow trains to travel at higher speeds.
Nutter wants to convene a meeting of regional stakeholders to strategize how to bring those stimulus funds to area rail lines.
The first round of grants will be handed out by late summer.