Press Release

Gillibrand Applauds Obama Administration’s Renewed Commitment To Develop High-Speed Rail

Feb 8, 2011

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today applauded the Obama Administration’s renewed commitment to high-speed rail, as Vice President Joe Biden announced a comprehensive plan to dedicate $53 billion over six years to continued construction of a national high-speed and intercity passenger rail network. The plan includes $8 billion to expand high-speed rail next year.

“If we’re going to rebuild our economy and create new jobs across the state, we need to connect all of our communities, businesses and workers with high-speed rail,” Senator Gillibrand said. “I am pleased the Administration is continuing their long term commitment to make passenger high-speech rail a reality throughout the country. The construction and development of high-speed rail can create new jobs immediately, and help drive New York’s economic development for decades.”

Last year, Senator Gillibrand helped secure $158.3 million in high-speed rail funding for improvements to the Empire Corridor. In the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Bill, Senator Gillibrand supported an additional $2.5 billion for high-speed rail capital projects. The economic impacts for high-speed rail development in New York creates immediate construction jobs, greater economic opportunities for small business growth and tourism, and help boost our local rail manufacturers.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama announced his goal to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail within 25 years. The President’s Budget for next year will include $8 billion to expand Americans’ access to high-speed passenger rail service.