[milwaukee-electric] Fwd: Stimulus package boosts rail.

[mrcooby]

--- In WisconsinRailroading at yahoogroups.com, "mrcooby" <x779 at ...> 
wrote:

Highway Infrastructure: $30 billion for highway and bridge 
construction projects.   It is estimated that states have over 5,100 
projects totaling over $64 billion that could be awarded within 180 
days.  These projects create jobs in the short term while saving 
commuters time and money in the long term.  In 2006, the Department 
of Transportation estimated $8.5 billion was needed to maintain 
current systems and $61.4 billion was needed to improve highways and 
bridges.  

 

Transit:  Public transportation saves Americans time and money, 
saving as much as 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline and reducing carbon 
emissions by 37 million metric tons each year.   

· New Construction: $1 billion for Capital Investment Grants for new 
commuter rail or other light rail systems to increase public use of 
mass transit and to speed projects already in construction.  The 
Federal Transit Administration has $2.4 billion in pre-approved 
projects. 

· Upgrades and Repair: $2 billion to modernize existing transit 
systems, including renovations to stations, security systems, 
computers, equipment, structures, signals, and communications.   
Funds will be distributed through the existing formula.  The repair 
backlog is nearly $50 billion.  

· Transit Capital Assistance: $6 billion to purchase buses and 
equipment needed to increase public transportation and improve 
intermodal and transit facilities.  The Department of Transportation 
estimates a $3.2 billion maintenance backlog and $9.2 billion in 
needed improvements. The American Public Transportation Association 
identified 787 ready-to-go transit projects totaling $15.5 billion.  
Funds will be distributed through the existing formulas.

--- End forwarded message ---