1December 2, 2015

Getting to the Tipping Point –

Governance and Leadership

APTA High Speed Policy Forum

Stephen Gardner

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• The development of targeted network of high-speed rail service connecting major U.S. metropolitan areas is a economic, social and environmental imperative.

• Federal leadership – project planning, development, funding - is required to achieve such an outcome.

• However, there are lots of competing imperatives in the United States, many of which appear to be less quixotic.

• Federal and State political leadership, on a whole, does not yet view HSR as a necessary and required solution for the United States.

Getting to the Tipping Point

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• State and private-sector efforts to launch HSR can help change the perception – if they can successfully get off the ground

• The FAST Act helps mature the Federal program:– Reflects agreement around basic network – Sets the stage for eventual integration with surface transportation

programs– Focused on preservation but sets foundation for growth and

transformation:• RRIF changes could launch the future• Authorizes grant programs than can help drive improvements• NEC and National Network accounts help create construct for HSR

development on top of a basic national network• Enhances current Amtrak focus on leverage our assets for growth

Getting Closer

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• FRA’s NEC Future is setting out choices for the NEC and provides an opportunity to engage the public on the what role rail should play in the region?

• NEC Commission work has brought together the stakeholders and is helping to clarify roles and create a platform for collaboration

• Gateway Program momentum demonstrates that stakeholders can come together around important and big rail projects, once consensus is reached around their necessity

Getting Closer – the NEC

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Service Preservation and Resiliency• Hudson Tunnel Project• Portal Bridge Replacement• Sawtooth Bridge • High Line Renewal and SOGR

Capacity• Expansion of Penn Station• Secaucus Station and Bergen Loop• Portal South Bridge• Newark to Secaucus Improvements

Gateway Program Elements

The expansion of Penn Station in Manhattan is critical to delivering

Gateway Program capacity benefits.

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• On 11/12/15, Senators Schumer & Booker, Secretary Foxx and NY & NJ Governors announced an agreed-upon set of principles to fund and advance the Gateway Program.

• The principles cover two main topics:– Federal-State cost sharing– Creation of a new “Gateway Development

Corporation” to govern and fund the program

• Amtrak and the parties are working together to launch Gateway Development Corp and advance the program

Gateway Development Corporation