Chicago high-speed rail project could get money from Obama's stimulus Recommend

Chicago high-speed rail project could get money from Obama's stimulus
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February 23, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The Republicans attacking President Obama's economic stimulus package point to a project they dub the "Sin Express" -- a high-speed rail link between Anaheim, Calif., site of Disneyland, and Las Vegas.

Not so fast -- another rail project might get chosen.

Backers of many other high-speed rail corridors around the country are making their case for the money.

They notably include a Midwest initiative long supported by someone with more clout than Sen. Harry Reid, who supports the Anaheim-Las Vegas line. That would be former Illinois Sen. Obama.

It was Obama's White House that, in the final hours of negotiations over the $787 billion stimulus bill, sought and won $8 billion for high-speed rail projects.

Also in the running are proposed high-speed corridors in the Northeast, the Northwest, Florida and the South.

Howard Learner, president of Chicago-based Environmental Law and Policy Center, said his area is in an excellent position to capture a good chunk of that money.

The Federal Railroad Administration, he said, has recognized the Midwest initiative connecting Chicago and 11 metropolitan areas within 400 miles as the system most ready to go. AP