"First, we want to use high-speed rail to create construction jobs in the near term," Porcari said. "This point is every bit as important now as it was two years ago."

Porcari said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has received commitments from 30 foreign and domestic manufacturers to build factories or reopen shuttered plants in America if they are selected for any rail-related contracts.

Passenger rail would "carve out new economic corridors and spur new economic development," he told the standing committee. "If you look at the interstate system, where the lines were drawn, it really made a generational difference in economic development terms. We're a nation that thinks big and builds big, and economic development projects can literally be built around these plans."

Improving passenger rail would also strengthen America's freight rail network, Porcari contended.

"Moving people and moving freight are two halves of the same coin," he said. "These projects, almost without exception, also increase freight capacity as well."

FRA Accepting Applications from States for Florida's Returned Rail Dollars

Last Friday, the Federal Railroad Administration announced it is taking grant applications for $2.4 billion in funding that was returned by Florida Gov. Rick Scott. The money had been awarded to Florida for a high-speed-rail line between Tampa and Orlando. (see Feb. 25 AASHTO Journal story) Governors in Ohio and Wisconsin have also canceled rail projects so far this year, returning a total of $1.2 billion in federal grants to FRA. Those funds were redistributed to other states in December. (see Dec. 10 AASHTO Journal story)

States must apply for the funds by April 4. FRA will reallocate the money to states and/or Amtrak on a competitive basis.

"Now is the perfect time to invest in the future," Porcari said. "I would urge you not to miss this significant opportunity."

FRA's Notice of Funding Availability is available at 1.usa.gov/FRA477.

Senators Applaud Allowing Amtrak to Compete for Money

Sens. Tom Carper, D-Delaware; Frank Lautenberg, D-New Jersey; Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey; Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut; and Chris Coons, D-Delaware, wrote LaHood on Monday to applaud the secretary's recent decision to designate the Northeast Corridor as a federally recognized high-speed-rail corridor.

"The designation of the Northeast Corridor as a federally recognized high-speed-rail corridor will allow Amtrak to apply for grant funding from Florida's rejected high-speed rail-funds for projects on the corridor," according to a statement issued by the senators. "Previously, only the Northeast states could apply for projects on the NEC. Permitting Amtrak to apply will allow projects that connect the entire Northeast Corridor to be considered for funding and will bring Amtrak's extensive knowledge of the operations and maintenance of the Northeast Corridor into the grant process."

Members of Congress Form Rail Caucus

Seeking to defend President Barack Obama's high-speed-rail initiative from conservative criticisms, Lautenberg and several House members announced Tuesday at Union Station in Washington the creation of a bicameral rail caucus.

Designated the "Congressional Bicameral High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus," the group is to consist of Democrats from states that were included in Obama's vision to create a nationwide network of railways that rivals the Interstate Highway System, The Hill reported.

"High-speed rail is a major initiative of the Obama administration with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Vice President Joe Biden as two of its most vocal cheerleaders," the nascent caucus said in a statement Monday. "Despite the clear economic advantages to enhanced passenger rail transportation, funding for this vital investment is under attack."

The caucus' goals include explaining the clear economic benefits of high-speed rail and the value of these investments to America's well-being.