New England onboard for more rail.

• Position: Around the States - Funding for railroad services

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After decades of little investment in passenger and freight rail by the federal government, President Obama and his administration have made the development of high-speed and intercity rail a top priority for improving our nation's transportation system.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allocates nearly $10 billion for passenger rail, and has provided a strong incentive for different regions to compete for federal funding. In New England, the push to put rail on each governor's agenda has come from the New England Rail Coalition (NERC), a diverse coalition of interest groups that CLF has spearheaded. By encouraging cooperation among the New England states to develop a regional rail blueprint, NERC is helping craft a vision for sustainable regional growth that is built around rail transportation.

New England already benefits from an established network of freight and commuter rail systems, but has lacked the vision necessary to redirect development and financing away from highways and back to railways. By bringing together businesses, municipalities, elected officials, environmental groups, and transportation and planning entities, NERC has strategically reached out to the Obama administration, the region's congressional delegation, and the six New England governors in advocating for a renewed commitment to rail.

A serious investment in rail would benefit New England in manyways...