Press Releases :: September 21, 2009

Baldwin Voices Support for Midwest High Speed Rail

Sends Letter to Transportation Secretary LaHood

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), Chair of the House Transportation Committee, have sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood expressing their strong support for Midwest high speed passenger rail, prioritizing rail service from Chicago to Milwaukee-Madison, WI; Chicago to St. Louis, MO; and Chicago to Detroit-Pontiac, MI.

“Construction of a modern, efficient transportation system will bring much needed jobs to our area while reducing travel times, lessening highway congestion, and increasing mobility,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “It also will provide significant economic development opportunities for communities in Wisconsin hard-hit by the recession,” she explained, adding, I’m proud to be joined by Chairman Oberstar in this call for federal support.” Baldwin also noted the enormous environmental benefits high speed rail would bring, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lessening the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“In 1960 there were 74 million cars and trucks on the road, today there are more than 250 million,” said Chairman Oberstar. “Congestion on our highways costs our economy $87 billion a year, I call that a congestion tax that every American is paying in the form of wasted fuel and lost time. Projects like the Midwest Regional Rail System will give Americans alternatives to driving on congested highways,” Oberstar said.

With the support of President Obama, Congress has already dedicated $8 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to the high speed rail initiative, and consideration of additional dollars is underway. Forty states and the District of Columbia filed a total of 278 pre-applications, the first step in receiving funding from the Department of Transportation for passenger rail projects.

“We recognize that there will be strong competition among regions and feel it important to bring the unique advantages presented by Midwest high speed rail development to Secretary LaHood’s attention,” Baldwin explained. 

Among those advantages, Baldwin highlighted that the Midwest high speed rail initiative builds from Chicago’s long-established position as the anchor of existing Midwestern rail operations and that the rail service is to be operated along corridors already established as part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative. Furthermore, it also is in line with plans outlined in the Federal Railroad Administration’s “Vision for High Speed Rail in America” and the regional vision for a Midwest corridor.

In their letter, Baldwin and Oberstar cited the support and cooperation of the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, along with the Mayor of the City of Chicago. It also notes the City of Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics and the benefits that high speed rail can bring to cities in the region looking to host major Olympics events. As part of that bid, some cycling events are slated to be held in the Madison, Wisconsin area.

“Our letter to Secretary LaHood demonstrates our serious commitment to making long term investments in our economy, environment, and 21st Century transportation system” Baldwin said.