LaHood and Conti speak at high speed rail seminar.
Press Release Summary:
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and North Carolina DOT Secretary Eugene Conti addressed over 200 participants at the High Speed Rail: Mobilizing a New Generation seminar. Event brought key decision makers and facilitators of high speed and intercity passenger rail programs in US together with Japanese rail manufacturers and news media. Conti vowed to learn from Japan's best practices to build greener and more modern rail system that gives citizens more transportation options.
Original Press Release:
U.S. DOT Sec. LaHood, AASHTO's Conti -- Speak at Major High Speed Rail Event
(Washington, D.C.)- U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and North Carolina DOT Secretary Eugene Conti, Chairman of AASHTO's Standing Committee on Rail Transportation, addressed more than 200 participants at a seminar titled High Speed Rail: Mobilizing a New Generation, held at the St. Regis Hotel near the White House, Thursday, January 21, 2009.
The event, sponsored by the Japanese International Transport Institute brought key decision makers and facilitators of high speed and intercity passenger rail programs in the U.S., together with Japanese rail manufacturers and the country's news media. All six major Japanese television networks covered the proceedings.
Secretary Conti says global interest in U.S. high speed and intercity passenger rail development spiked when the Obama administration secured $8 billion in recovery funds for state grants to develop these projects.
"The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) received 259 grant applications worth approximately $57 billion from 37-states plus the District of Columbia," Conti said. "My state and others across the country are ready to put these dollars to work, once the decision is made on which states will receive the grants."
FRA officials have indicated the announcement will be made sometime this winter; however; Secretary LaHood gave no indication of a possible date during his remarks.
LaHood told participants that "building the next generation of rail service will help change our society for the better. High speed rail will allow us to put skilled Americans to work and create more livable communities."
Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), chair of the House transportation and infrastructure committee and Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL) chair of the House transportation subcommittee on railroads, pipelines, and hazardous materials also gave remarks.
Conti and Secretary LaHood praised the Japanese for their efforts to help create the next generation of passenger rail technology. "We will learn from the best practices being applied in Japan and around the world as we build a modern rail system that is greener, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and gives citizens more transportation options," Conti said.
Secretary Conti can also be seen in this week's edition of the Transportation TV News Update.
