QuoteGovernor on board to push for rail
Perdue sees potential after visit with Biden. Vow is to try to unite Southeast on high-speed transportation network.
By Bob Keefe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, June 04, 2009
WASHINGTON â€"- After downplaying the potential of high-speed rail in the past, Gov. Sonny Perdue now is promising to try to help bring the Southeast together in the region’s pursuit of high-speed rail in the future.
Perdue was one of eight governors who met with Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in Washington on Wednesday as the federal government starts pursuing President Barack Obama’s vision for a nationwide high-speed rail network.
The meeting was closed to the press. But a spokesman for Perdue said the governor promised to communicate what he heard to other Southeastern governors and encourage them to work together to bring high-speed rail to the region.
“He was certainly very pleased with the discussion … and I think he was heartened to hear that there is seemingly a commitment from Secretary LaHood and Vice President Biden for the feds to take a lead here,†Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley said.
Biden and the DOT invited all the nation’s governors to Washington for the planning session. But besides Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Perdue was the only governor in attendance from the South.
It makes sense that Perdue was present. The DOT has tentatively suggested two high-speed rail lines run through Georgia â€"- with Atlanta as a primary hub â€"- as part of Obama’s plans for a nationwide high-speed rail network that could rival those in Europe and Asia.
Later this month, the DOT is expected to issue guidelines for proposals from states and regions that want a piece of the $8 billion Obama has pledged to pay for development of high-speed rail systems. The Georgia Department of Transportation is taking the lead in developing the state’s plans, but regional cooperation could be key to winning funding, DOT officials said.
Perdue’s presence and his pledge of cooperation were somewhat surprising, however, since he and other top state officials in the past have downplayed the potential of high-speed rail as too expensive and not able to attract enough passengers.
Brantley said his boss has become more convinced of high-speed rail’s potential after riding rail systems in Spain and China.
“I don’t know that he was ever cool to it,†Brantley said, “but after you see something [in person], it becomes much more of a reality.â€
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2009/06/04/sonnyrail0604.html (http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2009/06/04/sonnyrail0604.html)
This after Metro Atlanta has become a disaster for traffic and commuting period.