Richmond-to-D.C. high-speed rail route gets support

Imagine a 45-minute trip from Richmond to Washington -- without taking an airplane.

Now imagine Republicans and Democrats agreeing on the federal stimulus package.

If the issue is high-speed rail, both could be possible.

Yesterday, the potential for an economy-stimulating mass-transit project that could swiftly connect Virginia's capital city to the nation's capital drew congressmen and county and city officials of all political stripes to Richmond's Main Street Station.

None of them took the train.

Still, they gathered in the high-ceilinged lobby of the renovated and underused landmark to promote a regional effort to win a piece of at least $8 billion in federal stimulus funding under the U.S. Department of Transportation's High-Speed Rail Strategic Plan.

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

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, the House minority whip, led House GOP opposition to President Barack Obama's $740 billion stimulus program.

Yesterday, though, the Henrico County Republican 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 already home to about a half-dozen Fortune 500 companies and 20,000 small businesses.

"If there is one thing that I think all of us here on both sides of the political aisle from all parts of the region agree with, it's that we need to do all we can to promote jobs here in the Richmond area," Cantor said.

Daniel L. Plaugher of Virginians for High Speed Rail estimated it would cost $800 million to build two new tracks on the 110-mile Richmond-to-Washington corridor, capable of supporting trains traveling more than 110 mph.

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

Today, the majority of the corridor is only two tracks. Amtrak and local passenger trains share them with the freight company CSX, which owns the rails. Congestion and track conditions often lead to substantial delays on what is supposed to be a two-hour ride.

"If the train is no more convenient than driving, even in rush hour, few will take the train," said Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-3rd, who represents part of Richmond. Scott also advocated for an extension of high-speed rail to Newport News and Norfolk.

"The convenience of time and speed with the high-speed rails has the potential of taking tens of thousands of cars off the highways every day . . . and making Richmond an even stronger competitor in our global economy."

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones said the project could "radically transform the way we do business."

"Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation for the interstate highways in 1956, and now, more than 50 years later, we have an antiquated highway system with traffic jams," Jones said. "I'm just delighted Richmond is on the map."

On June 17, federal officials are expected to announce the guidelines for the competitive grants. The Southeast corridor is one of a number of regions that have been identified as competitors for funding.

The transit largesse will likely not come without a few strings attached.

Cantor said he expects that when the guidelines for obtaining the grants are released, they will include provisions requiring the state to match or commit its own money to some portions of the overall project.

Rail networks along the majority of the East Coast and Gulf Coast, New England, the Chicago hub, Southern California and Pacific Northwest coastal states also are under consideration.

"We have the political presence, we have the support," said a visibly excited Plaugher, who envisions high-speed rail stretching from Washington to Charlotte, N.C., by 2019.

"It's always been about money."

Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or .