On December 12, 2007, Mr. Mica hosted a forum to examine the future capacity needs of our nation’s freight rail system, projected capital investment over the next thirty years, and the financial incentives needed to attract sufficient private capital investment.

Mr. Mica invited fellow Committee members to join the following experts from the federal government, rail industry and labor, and the finiancial community to discuss financing rail infrastructure.  Click on the links to view information provided by the participants.

• Mark Yachmetz, Associate Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration
• Chip Nottingham, Chairman, Surface transportation Board
• Ed Hamberger, President, American Association of Railroads (info)
• Rich Timmons, President, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association
• Matt Rose, CEO, BNSF Railroad
• Tom Pontolillo, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
• Tony Hatch, ABH Consultants (info)
• Ed Wolfe, Bear Stearns (info)
• Mort Downey, Coalition on America’s Gateways & Trade Corridors (info)

The demands on the nation's rail system are only expected to increase over the next thirty years. According to a recent study by Cambridge Systematics, $148 billion in new investment is needed to meet rail capacity demands by 2035.

Click here for background information on the forum.