Secretary LaHood: Initial $20.3-million for North Carolina high-speed rail


In January, President Obama announced that North Carolina was awarded $545 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to continue its development of high-speed intercity rail. On July12, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the State of North Carolina have finalized a grant agreement for $20.3 million, the first installment of the $545 million awarded to the state.

"President Obama’s bold
vision for high-speed rail is a game changer for U.S. transportation," said
Secretary LaHood. "We’re improving North Carolina’s transportation
infrastructure while putting people back to work. That’s a win for everyone."



"North Carolina has
planned well and is set to build a world-class transportation network that will
link the Tar Heel State to Washington, D.C. and the Northeast through
high-speed rail," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo.

The North Carolina
Department of Transportation will use the $20.3 million to refurbish passenger
coaches and locomotives to expand rail service across North Carolina. The
Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration is actively
working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on additional
grant agreements for the remaining $525 million to further develop the state’s
high-speed rail corridor.



"North Carolina has been
a leader nationally in restoring passenger rail as a viable transportation
alternative and we look forward to pursuing that goal in partnership with the
federal government, beginning right now with this grant," said Gov. Bev Perdue.

"Today’s announcement
means North Carolina can begin work on developing a first-class, high-speed
passenger rail that will make traveling across our great state easier and more
efficient," Senator Kay Hagan said. "High-speed rail will help ease congestion
on our roads and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Most importantly, this
project will create jobs-my number one priority."