'SAFETEA' PAYS OFF FOR RAILROADS : THE NEW, $286 BILLION FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION BILL FUNDS ROAD AND RAIL PROJECTS THROUGH FISCAL 2009

This article describes how the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA), the new $286 billion federal transportation bill, will be funding railroad projects in coming years. Mass transit will receive $52.6 billion; the rail-highway safety program will get $880 million; high-speed rail corridor development will receive $700 million; and rail line relocation projects will be given $1.4 billion. The bill grants the states $880 million to improve grade-crossing protection. The legislation also includes a new feature for funding called “Projects of National and Regional Significance.” These include the Alameda Corridor East Project in southern California, the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Project in New York City, and the Heartland Corridor Project. Some small but important projects include renovation of Denver Union Station and redevelopment of San Francisco’s Transbay Terminal. The article includes a chart with a state-by-state breakdown of projects and the total number of earmarks in millions of dollars.