Richmond-area leaders push high-speed rail

A southbound Amtrak train stopped earlier today at Richmond's Main Street Station.

By: Jim Nolan | Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: April 24, 2009

Imagine a 45-minute trip from Richmond to Washington -- that isn't by airplane.

The possibility of an efficient, cost-effective, environmentally friendly mass-transit system connecting the capital city and the nation's capital drew congressmen, and city and county officials of all political stripes to Richmond's Main Street Station this morning.

They gathered in the high-ceilinged lobby of the underused architectural landmark to promote a joint regional effort to win a portion of at least $8 billion in federal funding that will soon become available under the Department of Transportation's High Speed Rail Strategic Plan.

Rail experts estimate it would cost roughly $800 million to build two new tracks on the 110-mile Richmond-to-Washington corridor, capable of supporting trains traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Authorities have already invested $300 million in upgrades and engineering on the route, and said the new rails could be in service within five years of funding approval.

"Our job is to make sure as much money comes to this region as possible," said Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-3rd, who represents part of Richmond. He also advocated for funding for an extension of southeast corridor high-speed rail to Newport News and Norfolk.

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, said bringing high-speed rail to the region could further spur economic development, creating as many as 185,000 jobs and bringing $21.2 billion to a region that already is home to six Fortune 500 companies and 20,000 small businesses.

"We've got something good going on and we want to continue that," he said.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones said the region needs to move into a new system of transit. High-speed rail, he said, has the ability to "radically transform the way we do business."

On June 17, federal officials are expected to announce the guidelines for the competitive grants. The southeast corridor is just one of a number of regions that have been identified as potential recipients for funding. Rail networks along the majority of the East Coast and Gulf Coast, New England, the Chicago hub, Southern California and Pacific Northwest coastal states are also under consideration.

An additional $5 billion, subject to congressional approval, could also be made available under the program, said Cantor.