Del. senators pitch plan for Amtrak

[Anonymous]

Story in the Local newpaper......

http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2004/02/03delsenatorspitc.html

$42 billion envisioned for rail projects
By SEAN O'SULLIVAN
Staff reporter
02/03/2004

Senators Tom Carper and Joe Biden want Congress to support a $42 billion plan they said would end battles over Amtrak funding and improve federal support of freight and passenger railroad projects.

The Delaware Democrats said the six-year plan would give rail infrastructure the level of federal support that highways and air transportation projects have enjoyed for years.

"The time has arrived ... to say rail is an important part of our transportation system," Carper said. He and Biden discussed the legislation at the Wilmington Amtrak station Monday.

The plan, called the American Railroad Revitalization Investment and Enhancement Act or ARRIVE-21, would get most of its money through a bond issue, private investment instead of tax dollars. A non-profit, public-private corporation would oversee the fund, Carper said. Amtrak, state governments and private rail freight companies could apply for grants to improve tracks, bridges and purchase new equipment.

Use link to full story.

[tree68]

We'll see how many strings get attached to the grants, assuming it passes in the first place.

We've been fortunate in the fire service to get FIRE Act grants - no strings, just a 10% match and the requests must meet certain criteria to qualify (ie, be for certain things).