The Federal Railroad Administration announced on Monday that they will begin doling out the $8 billion in federal stimulus funds allocated for high speed rail this winter, with all indications pointing to a late January or early February disbursement.
Since the $8 billion grant was announced in mid-April, several states have been hastily working on their proposals and preparing their arguments for a portion of the funds. FRA spokesman Rob Kulat said, in total, states have asked for $57 billion in funding.
But, while many states have requested funding, the Administration is placing heavy favoritism on those with well-developed plans and those that have already completed the necessary environmental studies. That gives an edge to California, which boasts the country’s most advanced plan, and gives hope to a high speed link between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The California plan also carries with it the largest price tag, budgeting in at around $21.7 billion according to raw data released by the FRA in July, while the state of Georgia has requested $296 million in high speed rail funding.
Unfortunately for Georgians, the state’s legislature has been notoriously lethargic when it comes to transportation funding, and despite recent efforts by the Georgia Department of Transportation, remains low on the rungs of the funding totem pole.
The GDOT hired highly-touted rail advocate Erik Steavens as their director in late 2008, and Steavens has pushed the state to proceed with environmental studies for rail lines running from Atlanta to Birmingham as well as a high speed track linking airports in Atlanta and Chattanooga.
But Steavens and the GDOT are now under the gun, and must come up with $3.5 million in order to receive the $13.8 million currently being held for the Atlanta-Chattanooga rail. The FRA hasn’t given a specific cut-off date for the funding, but the $3.5 million would need to be presented along with a comprehensive spending plan prior to receipt of the money.
If the state fails to come up with the funding, this and other funds will be dispersed evenly to other states meeting the necessary requirements.
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