California, Florida Top List to Secure High-Speed-Rail Funds

[tufsu1]

In

How much did I-95 cost? Was it a BILLION? How much profit did it make last year?

In 2009 dollars, bulding I-95 from I-10 to I-295 would likely cost close to a BILLION....

and yes, mtrain, there are many rail systems that carry more passengers than that portion of I-95...let's just say its about 200,000 vehicles per day (or 300,000 people) on the Fuller Warren bridge....the DC metro system carries more than 700,000 per day!

[mtraininjax]

In 2009 dollars, bulding I-95 from I-10 to I-295 would likely cost close to a BILLION....

and yes, mtrain, there are many rail systems that carry more passengers than that portion of I-95...let's just say its about 200,000 vehicles per day (or 300,000 people) on the Fuller Warren bridge....the DC metro system carries more than 700,000 per day!

I am not talking about DC, NYC, LA or any other large metro area with a large downtown presence of residents. We're talking about Jacksonville here. As I have stated today, after reviewing the new budget passed by the Legislature of Florida, all the rail zealots will have a hard time with the current administrations of Peyton and Crist, in getting any funds for rail projects. Rail projects were cut by 222 million dollars for next year in the State of Florida. And until the economy comes back, don't expect that to change.

Pontificate on what could be all you want. The fact is there is no money for it now.

[Lunican]

Good point. And there never will be any money for rail if no one speaks up.

On a local level there is money from BJP waiting to be used.

[JeffreyS]

The issue is there is money for it now. I worry we will use it to band aid some other important thing like education. When we should come up with a real  funding solution for education ect. Local and federal funds are here now for transit. Now is an important time to get to our representatives.

[mtraininjax]

The issue is there is money for it now.

Not local money, not state money, but maybe federal funds, as part of Amtrak. But Amtrak works with states that are friendly to its needs, and there are a number who have contributed much more to Amtrak and its needs over the years...Several states have entered into operating partnerships with Amtrak, notably California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Missouri, Washington, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Vermont, Maine, and New York....

Do you see Florida anywhere in that list? Sure we have clout and people and population, but if your in business and you only have so many dollars to spend, are you going to spend with a partner who has had your back, or gamble with a riskier investment, in today's economic times?

I don't see it happening until Peyton and Crist are gone, and even then its no guarantee.

[JeffreyS]

I was thinking of the better jax row funds. I basically agree with your assessment however.

[thelakelander]

All of this is old news.  Locally, things break down something like this.

Commuter rail - We still need to conduct a few years of studies.  Its probably a decade down the road, but its study time now, if you want it to be operational a decade from now, with federal dollars.  Until then, it won't qualify for state or federal support anyway.  So in other words, continue to do the studies.

Amtrak - The money and will on Amtrak's part is there.  This can happen soon or years down the road.  This all depends on the State and City's will, which is currently nonexistent at best.  Nevertheless, the more reason to continue to aggressively lobby to build support to change decades long ignorance about rail and its benefits on the region's economy.

Streetcar - We already have money set aside for mass transit RIGHT NOW.  Its been sitting there for nearly 10 years.  In the past, JTA wanted to use around $100 million in BJP funds buying ROW for BRT.  However, due to opposition and common sense, JTA's modified BRT plans involve existing streets, as opposed to extensive dedicated ROW.  Thus, a chunk of this money could be used for implementing a streetcar or starter commuter rail line, pending council approval.  This is another area we should be lobbying heavily right now.  The longer it sits unused or going to inferior transportation improvements (BRT), the better chance it will get raided to pay for some other public project.  If that happens, transit in Jax, will really be in trouble.

High Speed Rail - As long as Obama is in office, a major project will end up happening somewhere.  The way it now looks, that HSR line in Central Florida will receive federal HSR funds.  If it does, it will either spur additional local and intercity rail improvements statewide to complement it or it will become an expensive boondoggle that sets back rail transit in this state for another decade.

In short, it may not seem like much, but the local push for rail has come a long way in the last three years.  Now is not the time to give up because mtraininjax thinks so.  With Peyton's term coming to an end, its time to kick the door down.

[JeffreyS]

We need to also lobby for a transit friendly Governor.

[tufsu1]

Rail projects were cut by 222 million dollars for next year in the State of Florida. And until the economy comes back, don't expect that to change.

does the $222 include money for freight rail...and how much money was cut from road projects?

[lindab]

Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Workshops

Through these workshops, FRA is reaching out to the rail community in seven regions across the country to seek your input on the Interim Guidance we are required to issue on or before June 17, 2009, for the $8 billion in grant funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for the high-speed rail corridors program, intercity passenger rail grants, and congestion grants.  The workshops will enable FRA to discuss the HSR Strategic Plan with key stakeholders such as state departments of transportation, regional planning authorities, metropolitan leaders, associations and labor groups (under the ARRA, these workshops exclude the participation of lobbyists).  We seek your input not only to provide us with your regional vision of high-speed and intercity rail networks, but to enable stakeholders to focus on the critical factors that will make this program a success for generations to come.

The workshop schedule will include the following:

1.   Introduction                        10 minutes
2.   Overview of FRA strategic plan and next steps            30 minutes
3.   Amtrak presentation                     15 minutes
4.   Q & A                           35 minutes
5.   Regional presentation                     30 minutes
6.   Break                           15 minutes
7.   Working group break-out                  1 hour
8.   Wrap-up                           15 minutes
The workshops will be held 1:00 p.m. â€" 4:30 p.m. on the following dates and locations

Florida Corridor: Orlando May 21
Marriott Orlando Airport
7499 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822

Please RSVP at the following Web site :  https://survey.deloitte.com/wsb.dll/5644/FRARegistration.htm

[thelakelander]

I wonder if anyone from JTA, the TPO, Mayors Office or the Council will be in attendance to represent Jacksonville and the First Coast?

[mtraininjax]

All of this is old news.  Locally, things break down something like this.

You are correct, nice plug in the TU, but everything below here requires money, and if the money were available, we'd see action, instead of talk.

Commuter rail - We still need to conduct a few years of studies.  Its probably a decade down the road, but its study time now, if you want it to be operational a decade from now, with federal dollars.  Until then, it won't qualify for state or federal support anyway.  So in other words, continue to do the studies.

Study away all they want, JTA hire the folks to come in and give an idea of what is needed on down the road, again, no money down the road to inact what is studied, but let's load the gun, even if we never get to shoot it.

Amtrak - The money and will on Amtrak's part is there.  This can happen soon or years down the road.  This all depends on the State and City's will, which is currently nonexistent at best.  Nevertheless, the more reason to continue to aggressively lobby to build support to change decades long ignorance about rail and its benefits on the region's economy.

The only will I know of is that of you, Corrine and the folks from Amtrak who were here in town today to hire a few people and send the message that we can hire people for government work. If Orlando could not get their 61 mile deal done with Amtrak's help, a lot more is going to have to change that just the winds in the State and City. Meaning much more federal grease money will be needed to get the trains moving for Amtrak assistance here. As it is people still throw around the idea of putting Amtrak back downtown at the prime. Do we still want a revived Amtrak experience to operate from Edgewood? E-gad.

Streetcar - We already have money set aside for mass transit RIGHT NOW.  Its been sitting there for nearly 10 years.  In the past, JTA wanted to use around $100 million in BJP funds buying ROW for BRT.  However, due to opposition  and common sense, JTA's modified BRT plans involve existing streets, as opposed to extensive dedicated ROW.  Thus, a chunk of this money could be used for implementing a streetcar or starter commuter rail line, pending council approval.  This is another area we should be lobbying heavily right now.  The longer it sits unused or going to inferior transportation improvements (BRT), the better chance it will get raided to pay for some other public project.  If that happens, transit in Jax, will really be in trouble.

The only way I see the BRT operating as it was drawn out in the S line, is if Corrine and her pals make it happen. Why else would you build that there? I still think that the rubber-tire buses should be used on this line, to make the case that spending the 100 million makes sense, in this day and age. Corrine says she has 27% unemployment in areas around the S line. Is that the best place to put our transportation resources, with so many unemployed? You could say yes, if you wanted to help the empoverished, or No, if you look to where it is really needed in the city.

High Speed Rail - As long as Obama is in office, a major project will end up happening somewhere.  The way it now looks, that HSR line in Central Florida will receive federal HSR funds.  If it does, it will either spur additional local and intercity rail improvements statewide to complement it or it will become an expensive boondoggle that sets back rail transit in this state for another decade.

That will be a fun initiative when the State said no to HSR in Central Florida, but Obama wants it? Do you think we as Floridians can vote for off-shore drilling, only to have Obama tell us no? I say we trade a vote for a vote and see which industry puts more people back to work quickest.

In short, it may not seem like much, but the local push for rail has come a long way in the last three years.  Now is not the time to give up because mtraininjax thinks so.  With Peyton's term coming to an end, its time to kick the door down.

You may be right that local push has come a long way, but it does not appear so. If the coffers were full, we had a courthouse built, we had a new transportation station downtown, and we had a state and mayor who were pro-rail, you could find the solutions you desire, much easier to pass. If you want to see the Transportation initiatives for 2009 in the state, go to http://www.thepeoplesbudget.state.fl.us/bdissuedetail.aspx?irnum=65&si=55100100