North Carolina To Get High Speed Rail! (I Told You So!!)

Yesterday during a Press conference President Obama with Vice-President Biden, Rahm Emanuel and his Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood (R) in attendance, unveiled his extensive plan to develop Fast Track, High Speed Rail in America.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration he will launch a new and efficient high-speed passenger rail network in 100-600 mile corridors that will connect communities across the nation.

If you recall I mentioned this same topic in a previous post dated April 8Th entitled, "Charlotte's 2009 Mayoral Race is On!".

In that post I described how due to silly political power struggles, North Carolina Democrats seemed to be holding up the progress for High Speed Rail in the Southeast.

In that same post I also gave kudos to current Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory (R) for working diligently to help build the FIRST Light Rail system in the entire Tarheel state!

Of course my weblog wasn't the first publication to mention this development but I was probably one of the first to remind you.

Hmmm could it be possible that someone within President Obama's administration read my post? If so I'm flattered!

When he signed the Stimulus bill into law on Feb. 17Th, there was $8 Billion dollars plus allocated specifically for both High Speed Rail and Inner City Light Rail.

Of course everyone knows its going to take longer than 4 years and much more than $8 Billion dollars to develop and build cross country High Speed/ Light Rail, but I'd say its a good start don't you think?

While speaking before reporters, President Obama emphasized how America is miles behind other countries such as China, Spain, Japan (rail with speeds of more than 300 mph) and France in the use of cross country high speed rail.

I totally agree! How can we compete with other countries on the cutting edge of Green Energy, Clean Air, Education, Technology, Science, Communication, Job Creation, etc., if we are still only using cars, planes or Greyhound as our main modes of transportation?

In addition how can we as a country upgrade Urban Planning for the Inner Cities if we don't offer the people who live in those areas a better, faster way of getting to work?

As the project continues to unfold, the 10 major corridors expected to be included in the Federal Railroad Administration's blueprint for High Speed Rail are listed below.

President Obama stated that only Leaders from the 10 major corridors who submit plans right away for construction will get the money.

Well Governor Bev. Perdue and the North Carolina Legislators what on you waiting on? Get moving!

Now as you smile at the thought of this wonderful vision, just don't forget that I told you so!

• California corridor (Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego

• Pacific Northwest corridor (Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver British Columbia)

• South Central corridor (Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Little Rock)

• Gulf Coast corridor (Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta)

• Chicago hub network (Chicago, Milwaukee, Twin Cities, St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville)

• Florida corridor (Orlando, Tampa, Miami)

• Southeast corridor (Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Macon, Columbia, Savannah, Jacksonville)

• Keystone corridor (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh)

• Empire corridor (New York City, Albany, Buffalo)

• Northern New England corridor (Boston, Montreal, Portland, Springfield, New Haven, Albany

President Barack Obama unveils his plans for High Speed Rail to the nation.




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Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Huffington Post, MSNBC, Time.com, Federal Railroad Administration, Black Political Buzz, MSNBC, NPR, Charmeck.org, Flickr, Google Maps, Youtube