FRA Administrator
Joseph C. Szabo
Testimony before
House Transportation and Infrastructure
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
Miami, FL
May 3, 2010
2:00 PM
Thank you Chairwoman Brown, Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica and Ranking Member Shuster for inviting me to Miami to update your committee on the President’s program of investments in high-speed and intercity passenger rail service.
Madam Chairwoman, thank you for hosting this hearing and the one on April 20th. These forums have provided a valuable opportunity to highlight our high-speed and intercity passenger rail initiative and deliver our message to different parts of the country. Today, you have chosen to highlight how passenger rail contributes to creating a truly intermodal transportation system.
Over the past year, there has been a dramatic change in our nation’s view on transportation and specifically the growth and development of passenger rail systems throughout this country.
Less than two years ago, a Federal partner for the States to develop high-speed rail did not exist. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), championed by this Committee put a new spotlight on intercity passenger rail. President Obama advocated for the $8 billion provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) for the largest single national investment in passenger rail.
There are some who believe that only investments yielding 200 mph service will yield benefits. The facts show otherwise. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) views high-speed and intercity passenger rail service in the context of meeting the needs of the passengers in transportation markets, rather than as a race to see how fast a piece of equipment can move. FRA also believes that trip times between stops, rather than speed, is a critical factor in developing viable high-speed rail corridors.
It is for that reason that our Vision for High-Speed Rail in America, published just over a year ago had a comprehensive vision for passenger rail encompassing trains running at speeds of 150 to 200 mph on stand-alone tracks (Express High-Speed Rail); trains running at speeds in the 125-150 mph range (Regional High-Speed Rail); upgrades to existing railroads with speeds of 110 to 125 mph (Emerging High-Speed Rail); and significant improvements to traditional 79 mph service (Improved Intercity Passenger Rail). This means that there are opportunities to fund customized rail systems that work for different markets and regions. The States determine their individual needs. Regions and States will have the opportunity to seek funding for projects that meet their specific transportation needs.
This is certainly not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Those who have experienced rail service in Europe and Japan will recognize the criticality of taking a comprehensive approach to create a successful passenger rail system. This approach needs to include rigorous planning to ensure funds are focused on projects that maximize benefits to the public, transportation networks, and overall economic performance.
Support for this program was evident in the numerous applications received by the Department of Transportation (USDOT) following the President’s announcement. 259 applications requesting $57 billion competed for the $8 billion made available in the Recovery Act.
We received a variety of applications, varying tremendously in size and scope, reflecting the priorities of the State applicants. We worked hard to quickly review these proposals, while ensuring that we allocated the Recovery Act funding to the projects posed to deliver the most benefits relative to their investment costs. Less than a year after the Recovery Act was enacted, the President announced that 31 States and the District of Columbia will receive grants. This includes major investments in Florida and California, the only two States to apply for help standing up brand new Express High-Speed Rail systems. In rough terms, approximately 45 percent of the funds will go for Express High-Speed Rail, 40 percent for Regional or Emerging High-Speed Rail, and 15 percent for projects to benefit intercity passenger rail that can be under construction quickly.
Over time, our goal is for a number of regional routes to link cities and regions together, reflecting our comprehensive approach and creating a seamless network that offers Americans a real transportation alternative. This will reduce congestion that everyone expects will grow in the coming decades.
I have been a frequent visitor to Florida for decades. My observation has been that Florida is one of the States with the greatest potential to cost effectively reshape its transportation system through improved public transportation. Florida has the potential to create a system that will be safe, energy efficient, environmentally beneficial, make communities more livable, and improve the local economy. But the key word here is “potential”. To date, most of this potential has been unrealized. The current high-speed rail efforts represent the fourth attempt to develop a high-speed rail service. Each past initiative has been very promising. Each has demonstrated the potential for significant benefits, and each has floundered.
The Department’s decision to allocate significant resources to high-speed rail in Florida reflects our view that Florida now has the will to create a high-speed rail system. Florida has begun to develop a comprehensive intermodal transportation network – including intercity passenger rail, commuter rail, light rail, buses, airports and roads. There is even the existing Auto Train, operated by Amtrak, which carries passengers and their vehicles from Virginia to Florida.
Included in this network is a comprehensive rail program. One of the remaining pieces is the development of high-speed rail. And, in the case of Florida, trains running at speeds greater than 150 mph meet the needs of the local markets.
At FRA we recognized the public benefits this technology could deliver in the State. We awarded funding for the creation of a brand new high-speed rail corridor that will eventually connect Tampa Bay, Orlando, Miami and other communities in central and south Florida. These plans have been in the works for 20 plus years.
There are a couple of reasons why FRA allocated funds to this project. As you know, this region has experienced significant population growth in recent decades, as well as increases in the volume of visitors, leading to significant strains on area roadways and airports. These cities together have a population of over 10 million people and account for two of the nation’s 20 largest metro areas. These new high-speed rail lines are designed to provide an attractive and competitive transportation alternative for residents and visitors in the area.
The first phase of the service will connect Orlando to Tampa, with intermediate service to several of central Florida’s major tourist destinations. Our investment of over $1 billion will initiate the development of this segment, with speeds reaching 168 mph and 16 round trips per day on right-of-way dedicated solely to high-speed rail. Trip time between the two cities on the new service will be less than one hour, compared to around 90 minutes by car. This project will create substantial numbers of jobs and generate economic activity as miles of track are constructed, stations are built or enhanced, and equipment is purchased. We anticipate that this phase of the project will be complete in 2014.
The second phase will connect Orlando to Miami. This line will be 220 miles in length and is expected to operate at speeds up to 186 mph. Once operational, this service will reduce travel time between these two cities to approximately two hours, or roughly half as long as it takes to drive the same route. Ultimately, we expect 20 round trips per day between Orlando and Miami. Although Recovery Act funding will not be used for this segment, significant planning activities are on-going to prepare for this second phase of Florida’s high-speed rail vision. This project is scheduled for completion in 2017.
The key to our new High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program is a strong, committed State government and State DOT. Florida faces the challenge of developing the project management structure that will assure timely development and operation of the system, addressing issues of liability for intercity, as opposed to commuter, rail service, and having such confidence in the project at the State level that the State is willing to assume risk – both during the construction phase and the start – up of operations. So far, we are pleased with our decision to allocate Recovery Act resources for the first segment and look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with Florida transportation officials to move this exciting State-driven project forward. FRA is committed to its partnership with Florida. We firmly believe Florida has benefitted from our comprehensive program that enables States to tailor their choices to fit the needs of the marketplace.
Projects such as the one in Florida have longer-term horizons, because of the complexity of the States’ plans. However, there are smaller, more incremental projects that were awarded Recovery Act funds that we are working hard to implement.
To ensure that jobs can be created in the near term, consistent with the overall objectives of the Recovery Act, we have also implemented a “Fast Track” program. We are already coordinating with States on those projects that are ready-to-go, and move them out quickly so construction can start this year. We hope to be announcing final grant agreements through this program in the coming weeks. By comparison, it took the Federal government three years to get the first dollar out the door when the national highway system was being developed.
We have seen real progress both in the States and among transportation communities in terms of getting this initiative off the ground. President Obama is committed to transparency. Long-serving USDOT staff say the HSIPR program is one of the most transparent in the Department’s history.
As the program matures, we have worked hard to maintain strong relationships with States and stakeholders. Since the beginning of the application process, we have held biweekly conference calls with State DOT CEOs, with dozens of participants on each call. We also organized eight regional meetings with State DOTs and other stakeholders. We held individual, in-person meetings with Governors and legislators from across the country. This unprecedented back and forth with States was tremendously helpful as we thought about how to make this program a success.
We have also forged strong partnerships with rail and transportation associations and stakeholder groups. In fact, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently commended FRA’s outreach efforts as well as our dedication to implement the Administration’s ambitious agenda.
In short, we are upbeat and confident that this program will make important contributions to America’s transportation landscape. Florida has the potential to be the model project for the Nation provided it can sustain the State’s commitment. We look forward to working with Florida and the other States, and Congress to help make America’s passenger rail system the best in world.
Thank you.