Cambridge Rail

In a September 29 article, Ben Schiendelman argues that we could do a whole lot of high-speed rail for $700 billion. That’s true. But we could probably put a colony on Mars for that price, too. Or fix health care.

Right now, it doesn’t appear to be a matter of having money or not. We’ve been digging ourselves into a $11 trillion hole for a long time. We need a pay-as-you-go system, obviously (like any good budget), but I think right now, countries around the world are desperately injecting money into their systems to get credit moving again. And we’re no different.

But I agree with Schiendelman: Instead of focusing on bundles of toxic mortgages with unclear valuations, let’s put some of that $700 billion rescue package into a national transportation system; effectively creating jobs, spurring economic development, repairing a neglected rail system (freight, too) and relieving traffic congestion for millions.

Passenger rail transportation has been in such poor shape in this country for a number of reasons, but primarily because there hasn’t been a vision for it. Now, with the economy in shambles and people out of work and unpredictable fuel costs — the time is right to put Americans to work building a system that will encourage economic development, provide basic transportation for many, alleviate congestion and save our air.

President-elect Obama has said he’d consider using building infrastructure to create jobs and stimulate the economy. According to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, there are plenty of projects across America are ready to go in 90-120 days, without additional design or engineering:

In January 2008, a survey of State Departments of Transportation by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (“AASHTO”) identified 3,071 ready-to-go highway and bridge projects with a total cost of $17.9 billion that could be under construction within 90-120 days.