Hampton Roads Left Out of Federal High Speed Rail Funding; Kaine ‘Legacy’ Dims Further
By D.J. Spiker | Thursday, January 28th, 2010 | PolicyIn a body blow to the hopes for bringing high speed rail to southside Hampton Roads, President Obama traveled to Tampa, Florida today to announce distribution of the $8 billion in federal money marked for development of high-speed rail throughout the country. While 31 states will receive some portion of that money, Virginia officials had hoped that the ability to tie the existing Amtrak line in Newport News with a new rail line to Norfolk, which would then connect with Raleigh/Charlotte, NC, would come to fruition. Doing so would prevent the Hampton Roads region from remaining a transportation ‘cul-de-sac’ which it became at the conclusion of the Federal Highway development programs in the 50s and 60s.
While $2.34 billion was set aside for California’s high speed rail system, Virginia itself received only $100 million, of which $25 million has been marked for easing congestion from Raleigh to Richmond. The other $75 million is set aside for development of an additional line from Washington to Richmond.
This development may or may not be a slap at Governor Bob McDonnell; my hopes would be that it is not. It is however another direct repudiation of former Governor Tim Kaine, who’s handling of readily available transportation dollars continues to depress and sully what little shine was left to his legacy. Lest we forget the public blasting our great Commonwealth took for Tim Kaine’s incompetence:
“In August 2009, almost six months after the enactment of the Recovery Act, I sent letters to the best and worst performers in putting to work Recovery Act highway funds. Since then, we have watched many States move aggressively to use these funds to create and sustain family-wage jobs, contribute to our nation’s long-term economic growth and help the United States recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression.
“Regrettably, Virginia is not among these states. Based on the State progress reports submitted to the Committee in September 2009, Virginia has fallen far behind other states in putting to work its Recovery Act highway formula funds.
“According to submissions received from all States and the District of Columbia, your State ranks last among all States (51 out of 51) based on an analysis of percentage of Recovery Act Highway formula funds put out to bid, under contract and underway.As of August 31, Virginia had begun construction of projects totaling only 17 percent of the State’s funding.
“I strongly urge you to refocus your efforts to implement the Recovery Act and use the available funds to create and sustain family-wage jobs. These jobs are critical to Virginia’s and the nation’s long-term economic growth.”
Given Kaine’s ineptitude and failure to deliver any measurable federal assistance to our state, despite being readily available, the failure for the Obama administration to tab any notable high-speed rail project (Hampton Roads to North Carolina, Charlottesville to DC, Richmond to Hampton Roads) for the Commonwealth of Virginia serves as another grim reminder of the failed policies and leadership of Tim Kaine.
Meanwhile, Bob McDonnell has made it clear from day one at his kick-off in Virginia Beach that he wants high-speed rail to in Hampton Roads. Thankfully, we finally have a governor he understands it will take creative solutions to solve the transportation crisis, rather than continuing to blame the General Assembly and passing the buck to the next Governor, as we experienced over the last eight years.
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Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...entrenched on the right as a member of the Establishment, proudly tattooed member of the Republican Party, bartender by trade serving both sides the libations needed to continue the debate and discourse. College student, ten years late, majoring in Public Policy and Administration with an eye to serving the conservative and Republican movement in the public or private sector. ducit amor patriae You can find D.J.on facebook, Twitter, or contact via email at gosport.conservative@gmail.com. You can find D.J.on facebook, Twitter, or contact via email at gosport.conservative@gmail.com.
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18 Responses to "Hampton Roads Left Out of Federal High Speed Rail Funding; Kaine ‘Legacy’ Dims Further"
Kaine sucks and this proves it. He took his eye off the ball with all of his out of state campaigning for Barry Obama. Besides, whoever thought the former mayor of Richmond gave a crap about Hampton Roads is nuts. HR voted for Kaine and look what we got in return – nothing!
Sorry to be a little off topic but congratulations to Ben and Gretchen Loyola on the birth of their baby girl early this morning!
Actually, I don’t think this statement is accurate. We benefit from the inclusion of the line from Richmond to Raleigh, and as well from the improvements from Richmond to Washington. Another round of funding is scheduled, and we are right on track. If this blog wants to maintain credibility, it ought to at least strive for balance and accuracy.
Sorry Mike, but DJ is right. This area should be a top priority for a transportation improvement. I may be wrong on the source of the study, but I believe the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA released a report stating that if a hurricane the size of Katrina were to hit Hampton Roads it would take three days for a mandatory evacuation to be effective; resulting in billions of dollars in property loss, economic loss and loss of life.
As a resident, I don’t care if there will be “another round of funding”. I want the change to come ASAP.
This is a classic example of information without context. The Commonwealth did receive funds to improve the main lines to and from Richmond, and our subsequent application for high speed rail service will be heard by the Commonwealth Transportation Board shortly. There is a scheduled hearing tonight at the Half Moon Center in Norfolk at which hundreds of citizens will be present to endorse the unanimous position of the HRTPO for high speed rail service down the Norfolk Southern/SR 460 corridor into south Hampton Roads and the enhancement of existing inter city rail service between Newport News and Richmond. Frankly, if the author above did not know these facts, he oughbt to get up to speed first. Of course, if all he wanted to do was bash Kaine, he can continue to do so without the facts.
Mike,
Simply put, you’re wrong. If the Kaine administration had made light rail a priority, specifically to Hampton Roads, as DNC chair and ‘close friend’ to Obama, Hampton Roads should have had, in theory, a good chance at funding from the federal government. Instead, we’re left in the cold, just as we were in 50s and 60s.
The meetings and hearings you’re speaking to go directly to my point about Bob McDonnell and his foresight and drive to bring high-speed rail to the area. While by no means is high-speed rail dead to Hampton Roads, Kaine should have done more for the area, particularly in this round of federal funding. The fact that he didn’t while making no appearance to the contrary, as well as his well-established failure overall seeking stimulus funds for transportation projects, goes directly to my point: Tim Kaine’s ‘legacy’ will be little more than Jim Gilmore’s by the time four and eight years later rolls around.
Apologies, I said light rail when I clearly meant high-speed rail.
We also benefit little by having a rail line running from Richmond to Raleigh receiving $25 million to ‘congestion mitigation’ We would benefit far more as the HRPTO and local and state leaders recognize, by having a light and high speed rail hub around Harbor Park, with a high-speed rail then going through North Carolina.
Actually, your report without proper context and fact is damaging to the united efforts of the region to be included in this inter city rail network. Your political spin on this issue is absolutely insulting to the bi partisan effort by officials in every city/county of Hampton Roads to ensure we are connected by high speed rail to Richmond, Washington and beyond. Instead of writing such trash, why not instead show up tonight and join hundreds of others in this united effort.
IMO: It would be a waste of money to bring the high speed train to our area so I am happy to hear the money went to other areas. No reflection or negative reflections on either Kaine or McDonnell. It was in the making and not wise to spend that money on our dead end area.
Glenn Nye brings home….nothing!
wait wait wait, HR top priority? as Oberstar said, this whole state fails at transportation funding/maintenence/etc, why should we get money for something not even fully planned. u guys can fingerpoint all u want to, the blame is on all the leaders. if they wanted HSR to run from HR then they should’ve prepared better for it. there’s absolutely 0 and i mean 0000 regionalism for HR, that’s it’s no. 1 downfall. do u think the GA is gonna look at HR the same way they do NoVA? and as far as Mcdonnell goes, i won’t have any faith in him until i hear him call for a transportation session (which at this rate isn’t happening)
Well tonight, at the Half Moon Center in Norfolk about 500 citizens showed up in a united effort to show Thelma Drake and the assembled gathering that we support inclusion in the inter city high speed rail network. Truly bi partisan and inter regional as the crowd took turns applauding the recommendation of the HRTPO. What a shame this forum is so absolutely misinformed.
well Mike that’s news to me. but my statement is really towards everyone saying: “oh it’s Kaine’s fault” or w/e. i’m just going towards the reality. as far as what happened tonight, good i’m glad. i hope everything works out. but it’s going to take CONTINUED effort nonetheless. if not then we’ll have another situation like the Tide. yes it will get done but in the meantime lets make sure the serious snags are ironed out and brought to the forefront b4 everything goes haywire
Weird, the Pilot’s article on the meaning tonight ALSO talks about the bad news in having the $1.8 billion application for high speed rail funding request being rejected. Guess they’re getting their facts wrong, out of context, not bi-partisan and trying to tear about the regional unity and blah blah blah.
Mike, you are an idiot. Tim Kaine failed to take advantage on behalf of the state for transportation funding, and failed to take advantage of getting these projects ahead of the curve, as t1lewis pointed out, shows the failure of our leadership (that would be KAINE)
To imply that this blog has a) done anything to impede the future of high speed rail is absurd b) been absolutely misinformed, yet doesn’t prevent you from visiting over and over, spewing your drivel incessantly, defying reason, and c) striving to maintain balance, something we have NEVER tried to maintain, we speak from the RIGHT side of things.
More to the point, it is however heartening to hear reports of an unified front for high-speed rail, despite the recent setbacks and failures from the previous administration. Additionally, it’s wonderful that both the Peninsula and Southside are both committed to bringing high speed rail to Norfolk.
Well, if the right side of things is conservative and supportive of economic development, you ought to at least attempt to get it right. Fortunately, over 500 people from throughout Hampton Roads showed up to tell Thelma Drake that we are united, we have chosen an alternative, our CTB members were there as was Mayor Will Sessoms, Chair of the HRTPO, and the clear message was we want high speed rail to the Southside and enhanced service on the Peninsula to Richmond as well. The process does work, no thanks to your point of view, and we expect to be ready for the next round of funding.
It’s a shame Mike still calls it high speed rail when it isn’t high speed rail.
Talk about misinformed.
Mike, you left out: ‘no thanks to Tim Kaine’s administration’
Well, just to be clear, a few facts you would have known if you two had joined the close to a thousand people who were there, is that the HRTPO supports the enhanced alternative 1 which does include high speed rail for the 460 corridor and improved inter city travel from Newport News to Richmond on the CSX tracks on the Peninsula. My thanks do go to the previous administrations and CTB members who developed our applications for federal money, and who will continue to pursue funds as the process continues. We simply must have Hampton Roads, the 36th largest region in the nation, connected to the high speed passenger rail network.
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