high-speed-rail-livable-communities-policy-trends

Trends in legislation and public policyJoseph Clary, Director, Public Transit, Railroads, and Intermodal Transport

Is High-Speed Rail Really Coming to lllinois?

Yes. . .

Especially because of four factors:

1.Leadership on the part of Governor Quinn.

2.Our technical experience.

3.Illinois’ strong financial commitments. 4.Reforms in public policy that will link transportation and other funding to. . . .

livable workable

communitiesgreen

• The stimulus package created by President Obama and Congress provides for an initial investment of $8 billion for high-speed and conventional passenger rail.

• Funds are competitive: awards will be made by the Federal Railroad Administration.

• Additional ARRA funds are available in TIGER grants.

With the leadership of Governor Quinn and the support of local advocates, Illinois is poised to

capture some of this money:

• Improve track and signals for 110 mph on three corridors, with emphasis on Chicago-St. Louis service.

• Improve stations.

• Relieve rail congestion in Galesburg and the Chicago region.

• Re-establish passenger-rail service to Quad Cities and Rockford-Dubuque.

Criteria for these federal competitive funds include:

1. Transportation Benefits– Reliability– Safety– Efficiency

2. Financial viability

3. Linkage to permanent jobs, livable communities

Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 119 / Tuesday, June 23, 2009 / Notices

Factor One: Our Technical Expertise

• In 1972, Illinois began subsidizing 1 round-trip on three 3 corridors: Chicago-St. Louis, Chicago-Quincy, and Chicago-Carbondale.

• By 2003, Illinois was supporting 10 round-trips: Chicago-St. Louis, Chicago-Quincy, Chicago-Carbondale, and Chicago-Milwaukee.

Illinois is one of the leading states in supporting passenger rail service.

And ridership on State-supported trains keeps growing.

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2006 2007 2008

Under the technical criteria, Illinois is in good standing to compete for federal dollars:

• Expertise and experience: Because of our technical expertise, we can demonstrate that our applications will result in reliable and safe passenger rail service.

• Previous Work: Illinois has already begun to upgrade Chicago-St. Louis to a modern high-speed rail corridor. With “Illinois First” capital funds (1999), Illinois invested over $100 million to upgrade track, bridges, and crossings to raise speeds on portions of the corridor from 79 mph to 110 mph.

Illinois is second only to California in terms of supporting passenger-rail service.

The capital plan produced by Governor Quinn and the General Assembly provides at least $450 million for high-speed and conventional rail.

With $28M per year in General Revenue Funds, lllinois now provides 14 roundtrips per day between Chicago and other cities.

Factor Two: Financial Commitment

Important to put this in context:

The U.S. Government is establishing significant changes in policy:

Factor Three: Sustainable jobs and communities

Transportation and other agencies will be using funds to promote livable, workable, green communities.

Trend toward sustainable jobs and communities

Integrate planning, investment, and funding streams. “Maximize livability, environmental excellence, and the promotion

of green jobs.” Deliver more alternative transportation choices (walking, bikes,

shared cars, transit, rail, etc.) Proximately locate housing, employment, and other destinations. Safeguard rural landscapes through transit-oriented and mix-used

development. Promote locally generated renewable energy.

Example 1: Under their Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities, USDOT, EPA, and HUD will:


1. Livable communities2. Transportation network integration3. Permanent jobs, particularly in disadvantaged areas 4. Environmental Quality5. Energy Efficiency


Example 2: FRA wants high-speed rail dollars to promote:

“


1. Establishes Office of Sustainable Communities2. Mandate participation by USDOT, EPA, and HUD3. Coordinate land-use, transportation, housing, and energy

planning, policy, and funding4. Promote sustainable, livable, energy-efficient, location-efficient,

and reduced-emissions development.5. Align conventional and special-purpose funding from USDOT,

EPA, and HUD to promote livable, workable, green communities.

Example 3: Senator Dodd’s proposed Livable Communities Act:


All federal agencies must establish and work to meet goals regarding energy and environmental performance:

Efficient, sustainable buildings Utilization of green technologies Support for sustainable communities Locate federal facilities in accord with USDOT, EPA, and

HUD’s inter-agency agreementOctober 5, 2009

Example 4: President Obama’s Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance:

Trending toward sustainable jobs and communities

1. Working to ensure that final appropriation carries $4B for high-speed rail (vs. Senate’s proposal for $1.2B).

2. Various bills and proposals that would link transportation and other agency funding to:

• Sustainable Jobs • Livable, green communities• Environmental Quality• Energy Efficiency


Example 4: In Congress: Halvorson, Sires, Lipinski, and others:


“With smart growth, affordable and convenient housing, and seamless transit networks, we’re going to see interconnected high-speed rail communities that are livable, environmentally friendly, and energy efficient.”

Joe Szabo, FRA Administrator

Example 5: The Federal Railroad Administration:

“Workable, livable, green communities”

Prognosis: Washington will continue utilizing transportation and other funds as part of an over-arching effort to promote . .

Help state and local partners capture federal funds. Revitalize economies in “rail zones.” Develop incentives for businesses and residences. Promote sustainable jobs. Develop smart land-use plans. Implement 21st century standards for livability, energy efficiency,

and energy use.

In Illinois, Governor Quinn and railroad communities have signed MOUs to:

Through this State-Local collaboration:

Illinois and its rail communities will be poised to capture federal funds tied to:

– Safe, efficient, reliable passenger-rail service.

– “Sustainable, workable, livable green communities” along our passenger-rail corridors.

– Such amenities as housing, places to work and to visit, shops, restaurants, services, entertainment, museums, walkways, and open space.

Strategic land-use planning

Incentives for jobs, housing,

and green energy

EPA Funds

USDOT Funds

HUD Funds

Standards for livability, energy

efficiency, and energy usage

Energy & other federal funds

What goes into a workable livable green rail community:

For more information about Illinois’ high-speed rail initiative, and its connection to

jobs and livable communities:

Office of Governor Pat QuinnOffice of Governor Pat Quinnrecovery.illinois.govrecovery.illinois.gov

Joseph ClaryJoseph [email protected]@illinois.gov312-814-YYYY312-814-YYYY

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