High Speed Rail

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law on February 17, 2009.  The $789 billion stimulus bill includes $45.2 billion for core infrastructure investments, including:

• $27.5 billion for highway and bridge construction projects
• $8 billion for high-speed and intercity rail projects
• $6.9 billion for new equipment for public transportation projects
• $1.3 billion for Amtrak 
• $100 million to help public transit agencies
• $750 million for the construction of new public rail transportation systems and other fixed guideway systems
• $750 million for the maintenance of existing public transportation systems

This $9.3 billion investment in rail transportation is an important first step in connecting the nation's megaregions along designated rail corridors, as shown in the images below: