Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader, said today that President Bush will sign legislation that allows for private sector involvement in the development, financing, operation and maintenance of true high-speed passenger rail service in the United States.
Mica was informed by Administration officials today that the President will sign the legislation.
“This bill dramatically increases the potential for high-speed rail and bringing the U.S. into a new era of transportation,” Mica said.
Mica immediately urged Department of Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters to issue the high-speed service request for proposals (RFP) upon enactment of the legislation. The provision requires the RFP within 60 days.
“The legislation will allow the private sector to submit proposals for high-speed service nationwide in the 11 high-speed corridors, which have been designated by DOT with Congress’ authorization.
“Commissions of all stakeholders – local governors and mayors, freight and commuter railroads, labor, and Amtrak – will evaluate the proposals for each corridor,” Mica continued. “DOT will then report its recommendations to Congress, beginning with proposals for the underutilized Northeast Corridor. It will then be up to Congress to take the necessary action to commence work on any selected proposals.
“This bill also institutes some dramatic and much-needed reforms for Amtrak, and increases authorized funding for intercity passenger rail.
“As gas prices remain high, more congestion chokes our highways, and aviation delays continue to rise, no other transportation alternative is as cost-effective, energy-efficient, or environmentally friendly,” Mica concluded.
The measure opens 11 corridors across the nation to private sector high-speed rail proposals. The 11 high-speed corridors DOT designated with Congress’ authorization are:
- The Northeast Corridor;
- The California Corridor;
- The Empire Corridor (in New York);
- The Pacific Northwest Corridor;
- The South Central Corridor (Texas-Oklahoma-Arkansas);
- The Gulf Coast Corridor;
- The Chicago Hub Network;
- The Florida Corridor;
- The Keystone Corridor (Pennsylvania);
- The Northern New England Corridor; and
- The Southeast Corridor.
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