America 2050

The Economist: The Cracks are Showing

2008-06-26T21:46:32Z

America 2050 is featured in this week's The Economist in an article about America's growing infrastructure problems.

"America 2050", led by the RPA and a committee of scholars and civic leaders, has a ... scheme for "megaregions", or networks of metros. The federal government should do what it can to ensure that these areas, first of all, have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

This means, among other things, an enhanced federal role in projects that cross state borders, including not only the interstates but intermodal freight and high-speed rail. A better system for evaluating a project's benefit--within a broader strategy for economic development, for example--would help the public get more for its money. Metros would be given more incentives to reduce congestion and sprawl.
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If America does not act, says Robert Yaro of the Regional Plan Association (RPA), a body that plans for the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region, it will have the infrastructure of a third-world country within a few decades. Economic growth will be constricted, and the quality of life will be diminished.

Link to the article here.

Filling the Transportation Efficiency Gap: High-Speed Rail

2008-06-26T21:00:06Z

The notion of an efficiency gap in the current transportation networks is explored in a Master's thesis by Columbia University graduate student and America 2050 research intern, Yoav Hagler. At short distances, the most efficient mode of intra-megaregion travel is auto, and at long distances, the most efficient mode is air. However there exists an intermediate distance at which the most efficient mode based on these four criteria is high-speed rail. The efficiency gap, which peaks between 200-400 miles can aid future studies in regards to preferred route selection, station, location, and the location of megaregional transportation hubs.

The Master's thesis titled "Back on Track: An Examination of Current Transportation Networks and Potential High-Speed Rail Systems in Three U.S. Megaregions is available for download here. The study analyzed the current transportation networks and proposed high-speed rail networks in the Northeast, Midwest, and the Florida megaregions. This research analyzed, from the consumer prospective the total reach, cost, reliability, and convenience of four modes (Air, Auto, Rail and High-Speed Rail) for travel within these megaregions.

Megapolitan: Arizona's Sun Corridor

2008-06-18T23:38:47Z

The Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University released a report in May titled, Megapolitan: Arizona's Sun Corridor. The study examines growth challenges in one of the nation's most rapidly growing regions: the Tucson-Phoenix corridor. Poised to double in population from 5 million to 10 million by 2050, the region will grapple with the environmental challenges of accommodating rapid population growth in a fragile desert environment. Ensuring an adequate drinking water supply and mitigating urban heat island effect without the use of increased vegetation (which requires additional water) are two big challenges. Urban form is another important consideration; detached single family homes are by far the preferred development type in this region, but their proliferation will contribute to sprawled development and make transit options less viable.

The changing demographic and economic environment in the corridor is prompting researchers and leaders to think about how the corridor can one day become a significant economic, technological and cultural center, while growing in a sustainable way. At a recent workshop sponsored by the Sonoran Institute and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, planners considered the implications of this emerging megapolitan region with the report's authors and local transportation and community leaders.
]]> Note: While the America 2050 initiative recognizes the Sun Corridor as a megaregion, Robert Lang's "megapolitan" definition, which refers to smaller metro pairs connected by overlapping commuting patterns, may be a more apt description. A chart on pp 22-23 of the Morrison Institute report presents a helpful breakdown of how America 2050's 10 megaregions are comprised of 20 smaller "megapolitans".

Some of the challenges and questions that arose in the workshop include:

There are few models for sustainable urban form in a desert environment.
With temperatures frequently soaring to the 100s, mitigating "extreme heat" is a big challenge. Added concrete and building surfaces traps heat at night compounding urban heat island effect.
The Tucson-Phoenix urbanized core has actually planned for enough water to sustain the population for the next 100 years. However development to the north and south of that core region will stress ground water supplies and reduce the core region's ability to recharge.
Most people come to Arizona by choice from elsewhere for its incomparable natural beauty and high quality of life. If these assets cannot be maintained, it stops being a desirable place to live.
A megaregion is more than just two metro regions growing together physically. What are the economic synergies and advantages that can be fostered by promoting the linkage between Phoenix and Tucson?

Download the Morrison Institute Report.

U.S. House Passes Amtrak Bill: A New Era for Passenger Rail?

2008-06-18T21:12:12Z

Amtrak's fortunes may finally be turning around. The National Rail Passenger Corporation has been fighting for its life for the duration of a hostile Bush administration and ever since the last Amtrak authorization bill of 1997, which directed the corporation to become financially self-sufficient and brought about a decade of service cuts and deferred maintenance that worsened Amtrak's poor performance and reputation.

But last Wednesday's vote in the U.S. House of Representatives may usher in a new, more hopeful era for passenger rail in this country. The bipartisan bill (H.R. 6003) would authorize $14.4 billion over five years to support Amtrak, including capital grants to Amtrak itself to invest in new passenger cars, rehabilitate aging bridges and replace railroad ties and overhead wires, and to states to improve passenger corridors and facilities. (For the New York region, this could mean improvements to Moynihan Station may be eligible to receive the state capital grants.) The bill also reverses the self-sufficiency directive as did a similar Amtrak bill passed by the Senate last October. The two bills must now go to conference and pass both houses again before being signed into law.

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Mica's provision would allow private entities (including Amtrak) to submit proposals for developing two-hour high-speed rail service from New York City to Washington, D.C. True high-speed rail in the Corridor would require a new, separate right-of-way to avoid the existing commuter, intercity and freight rail traffic that uses the Amtrak-owned New York-Washington rail corridor.

The provision will be fought by the powerful rail unions, who fear competition from a non-unionized private rail carrier. And while the privatization scheme is only a request for proposals, it has captured the attention of Mayor Bloomberg and the media. A headline in The New York Sun declared misleadingly, "House Approves New York-D.C. Rocket Train." Bloomberg, who met with Mica two weeks ago to discuss the proposal, expressed his support, noting, "No idea should be ignored or dismissed simply because it is ambitious."

While a new high-speed rail service in the Northeast must surmount a variety of obstacles, including expensive property acquisition in a dense urban corridor, Rep. Mica's unabashed enthusiasm about making high-speed rail a reality is refreshing. Mica, together with the House T&I Committee Chair, Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN), seem committed to expanding rail service options in this country, even if the two may disagree about the method of funding. Could this be the first taste of a meaningful, bipartisan policy debate about how transportation can improve America's competitiveness in the 21st century?

Outside of the politics or implementation, the demand for such a high-speed service in the Northeast - the nation's densest megaregion - is clear. Amtrak's existing regional service and "higher speed" Acela Express service at 2 hours 45 minutes or longer, captures more riders than air passengers on the New York-Washington route. Amtrak captures 56 percent of the air-rail market share from New York to Washington compared to air's 44 percent.

Since last fall, Regional Plan Association has banded together with other business-oriented civic groups in the Northeast Megaregion to promote investments in the under-funded Northeast Corridor. Chaired by RPA and the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility worked with members of Congress to insert several provisions in the House bill, including authorizing $5 million for a study of the investments required to shave Acela Express trip times from 2 hours 45 minutes to 2:30, 2:25 and 2:00 on the southern end of the corridor and from 3 hours 30 minutes to 3:15, 3:00, and 2:45 on the northern end.

The Business Alliance has also focused on the immediate need to address the backlog of deferred maintenance on the Northeast Corridor, with a price tag estimated at about $4.9 billion. The Amtrak bill authorizes about $6.7 billion for capital grants to Amtrak, which are not confined to the Northeast Corridor, but could address a good portion of its needs. Bringing the Northeast Corridor to a state of good repair will bring about more reliable, safe, and speedy service for Amtrak and the 12 commuter rail agencies that share the corridor, including Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North, and NJ TRANSIT.

Nationally, if comparable intercity and higher-speed services were offered in other dense metropolitan corridors, a great deal of regional air flights could be avoided, freeing up airspace for long-haul national and international flights. However, in most other places, Amtrak relies on rails owned by freight companies, which requires Amtrak trains to sit behind freight trains, reducing their on-time performance and hindering a time-competitive option to air and auto travel. Given this lack of time savings, the failure of these services to compete and gain ridership is understandable.

Overall, the support in Congress for the recent Amtrak bill reflects the swelling tide of public sentiment that is concerned about climate change and would like to see more transportation options to replace increasingly expensive automobile travel and congestion in our crowded skies.

-Republished from RPA's Spotlight on the Region Newsletter

NPR Airs Series on America's Crumbling Infrastructure

2008-06-12T15:10:57Z

In June, National Public Radio launched a new series titled America's Crumbling Infrastructure. Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation and Robert Fishman, planning historian and professor at the University of Michigan were interviewed. Rodin suggested that the philanthropic world will bring together key stakeholders and fund new ideas to improve the nation's infrastructure. Fishman discussed the impact national planning has had, and will have, dating as far back as our founding fathers in the growth and development of the nation. The vision for the 21st century, according to Fishman, is sustainability - our ability to adjust to conditions in the future.

Click here for Judith Rodin and Robert Fishman's interviews.

June 29th: Armando Carbonell, Chairman of the Department of Planning and Urban Form at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy was interviewed on NPR's new series, America's Crumbling Infrastructure. Carbonell addressed the question: Are Megaregions the future of Transportation? He replied that this country needs a national vision and an integrated strategy that is informed by regional differences. Megaregions offer the right scale for making infrastructure investments, such as high-speed rail. Carbonell also stated that higher energy prices and climate change will alter the lifestyle of the American public.

Listen to Armando Carbonell's interview.

Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell was also interviewed on the series, and addressed the question: who will pay to fix our crumbling infrastructure? Rendell, along with NYC Mayor Bloomberg and California Governor Schwarzenegger started the "Building America's Future" coalition, which aims to achieve an economically viable future by getting into the business of fixing our infrastructure. We have a $1.6 trillion backlog to bring our existing infrastructure to a state of good repair. The top priority is bridges, followed by clean and waste water management. But to do this, emphasized Rendell, we need federal assistance and leadership. Referring to our history of national planning, Rendell states that we can keep up the legacy of our founding fathers, but we just need the will to get things done, and the federal government to step up to the plate.

Listen to Gov. Ed Rendell's interview.

Metropolitan Residents Have the Lowest Carbon Footprints

2008-05-29T13:58:18Z

Residents of metropolitan regions emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions per person than people who live in non-metro areas, according to a report written by the Brookings Institution and co-released today by Regional Plan Association and America 2050.

The academic researchers also found that regions with a more-compact geographic footprint and rail transit offer a more energy and carbon efficient lifestyle than more sprawling, automobile-dependent areas.

The 100 largest metros emit only 56 percent of the U.S. transportation and residential carbon emissions while housing 65 percent of the nation's population and producing 76 percent of the nation's economic output.

The New York metropolitan region, including New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Long Island, has the smallest per capita transportation emissions in the country but ranks higher in carbon emissions from its residential buildings. The report underscores the tremendous benefit to the environment of the New York region's extensive public transit network and the need to continue to invest in these systems as the region faces the projected growth of 3 million additional residents by the year 2030.

Read the Brookings report.

Read the carbon profiles for the top 100 metropolitan regions in the United States.

Read the press release.

House bills authorize increased funding for Amtrak, High-speed rail

2008-05-16T14:20:10Z

Two bills introduced last week in the House of Representatives would authorize increased funding for Amtrak's capital and operating expenses and create new sources of funding for developing high-speed rail corridors in the United States. The first bill, H.R. 6003, the "Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008" is the companion bill to the Lott-Lautenberg Amtrak bill passed in the Senate last October. It authorizes $14.4 billion for Amtrak over the next five years and represents the first multi-year authorization for Amtrak since the "Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997." The other bill, H.R. 6004, "The Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century" or "Ride-21", authorizes $12 billion of tax-credit bonds and $12 billion of tax-exempt bonds for new high-speed rail corridors over the next 10 years. This legislation will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and represents a new source of funding for rail in the country, an important first step toward finding rail funding beyond the annual appropriations process.

Read the text of H.R. 6003

Read the text of H.R. 6004

Photo: Vandy607 on Flickr
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It increases capital and operating grants to Amtrak, including funding to bring the Northeast Corridor back to a state-of-good repair. The bill authorizes $6.7 billion to Amtrak for capital grants and $3.0 billion in operating grants.
It encourages development of new state passenger corridors. The bill provides $2.5 billion for a new State Capital Grant program for intercity rail capital projects based on the New Starts transit program. The Federal share for the grants is up to 80 percent and would be awarded by a competitive process by the Secretary of Transportation.

Of interest to those in the Northeast, it includes:

In Section 209, the creation of a Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission, made up of Amtrak, U.S. DOT, and the Northeast States to jointly develop recommendations for short-term and long term capital investments in the Northeast Corridor and improve operations. This will help states, the commuter agencies, and Amtrak to work together to develop and implement a long term vision for the Corridor that returns the infrastructure to a state of good repair, increases capacity and reduces trip times.
And the Acela Service Study, which authorizes $5 million to determine the infrastructure and equipment investments needed to achieve shorter trip times in the northern and southern ends of the Corridor.

A controversial provision of the bill is Section 502, which establishes a Northeast Corridor request for high-speed rail proposals. This directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a request for proposals for finance, design, operation of a high-speed rail system between Washington, D.C. and New York. We assume that this is a high-speed rail corridor on a separate right-of-way than the existing Northeast Corridor. This language is adapted from a previous piece of legislation introduced by Rep.John Mica (R-FL) to develop new high-speed rail corridors. While the focus on developing true high-speed rail in the Northeast is laudable, we hope that this won't distract from the immediate priority of bringing the Northeast Corridor to a state of good repair and getting the most capacity, speed and reliability out of the existing Acela service.

Section 502 was the subject of much discussion at the May 14 hearing on Amtrak authorization by the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. A video of the hearing can be viewed on the House T&I Committee website.

The Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility, a coalition affiliated with America 2050, was represented at the hearing by Kevin Corbett, Vice President of Corporate Development at DMJM Harris-AECOM. You can download Mr. Corbett's testimony here.

Political, Business, Labor, and Philanthropic Leaders Convene to address America's Infrastructure Challenge

2008-05-14T21:00:11Z

Washington D.C. - On May 9th, America 2050 convened leaders in the business, civic, labor and philanthropic communities with members of Congress and the Governor of Pennsylvania to address the need for a 21st century infrastructure investment plan to rebuild and renew the nation's aging infrastructure and respond to the challenges of the 21st century.

The event featured discussions on the topics of water, energy and transportation infrastructure and keynote addresses by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Governor Ed Rendell, Judith Rodin, president of The Rockefeller Foundation, and Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Opening remarks and morning plenary featured remarks by Philippa Strum, Robert Yaro, Terence O'Sullivan, Gov. Rendell, and Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Rosa DeLauro, Tom Petri and Christopher Shays.

Watch the opening remarks and morning plenary panel.

Watch Judith Rodin's keynote address.

Watch Tom Donohue's keynote address.

The Energy Roundtable featured Bob Baugh, Daniel Braun, Mark S. Dodson, Michael Exchart, Joseph P. Oates, and was moderated by Richard T. Thigpen.

Watch the energy roundtable.

The Water Roundtable featured Steve Allbee, Sally Collins, Betsy Otto, Kevin L. Shafer and was moderated by Albert Appleton.

Watch the water roundtable.

Closing Plenary panel featured Jonathan Rose, Armando Carbonell, Bob Baugh, Al Appleton, and Mort Downey.

Watch the closing plenary panel.

Over 130 participants gathered for the day-long event at the Woodrow Wilson Center, Division of United States Studies. For additional information on the event, click here.

Download a copy of the briefing book.

View a slideshow of the event on Flickr.

Read the proposed legislation, H.R. 5976, to create a U.S. Commision on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century

Photos: Carol Powers

Transportation Roundtable on C-SPAN

2008-05-14T19:01:34Z

Washington D.C. - The transportation roundtable at the May 9th infrastructure forum, Rebuilding and Renewing America: Toward a 21st Century Infrastructure Investment Plan, was broadcast on C-SPAN. Panelists included: MarySue Barrett, President, Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago, Rob Puentes, Fellow, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, Dr. T. Peter Ruane, president and CEO, American Road and Transportation Builders Association, Paul Weyrich, Chairman and CEO, Free Congress Foundation, and Commissioner, National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, and Mariia Zimmerman, Vice President for Policy, Reconnecting America. The panel was moderated by Mortimer Downey, Chairman, PB Consult.

Watch the transportation roundtable on C-SPAN.

Pictured (L-R) are : Rob Puentes, Pete Ruane, Mariia Zimmerman, MarySue Barrett, Mort Downey

Event: Rebuilding and Renewing America: Toward a 21st Century Infrastructure Investment Plan

2008-05-06T16:28:46Z

Washington, D.C. - On May 9 America 2050 will host a national forum on infrastructure investment, titled Rebuilding and Renewing America: Toward a 21st Century Infrastructure Investment Plan. Supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, the Surdna Foundation and the Division of United States Studies at the Woodrow Wilson Center, the forum will launch a civic-led effort to develop a national infrastructure investment plan for the U.S.: a framework for federal investment and complementary actions by states, local government, and the private sector.

The forum coincides with the Bicentennial and Centennial of plans during the Thomas Jefferson (1808) and Theodore Roosevelt (1908) administrations that later influenced the development of national railways and federal-led environmental restoration and power generation projects, respectively. For more information on these historic plans, download a paper by historian Robert Fishman here.

The day-long forum will convene members of Congress with business industry representatives and leaders in labor, philanthropy and the environmental community to discuss the components of a national infrastructure plan, with sessions on national transportation, water and energy policies. Confirmed speakers include members of congress Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), James Oberstar (D-MN), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Tom Petri (R-WI), Christopher Shays (R-CT), Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Governor Edward Rendell (D-PA). Keynote speeches will be given by Judith Rodin, President, The Rockefeller Foundation, who will speak about the impact the philanthropic community can make in creating a 21st century infrastructure agenda, and Thomas Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce will speak on meeting the transportation and energy challenge of the 21st century.

To view the press advisory, click here.
To view the agenda, click here.
To view the briefing book, click here.

The forum is invitation only.

National Leaders Address Need to Renew and Rebuild America's Infrastructure

2008-04-21T22:40:02Z

April 18, New York City - US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer and President of the Rockefeller Foundation Judith Rodin all addressed the deteriorating infrastructure in our nation and called for Washington to establish a vision to renew and rebuild America at Regional Plan Association's Regional Assembly, titled "Oil and Water". Held at the Waldorf=Astoria in Midtown Manhattan, over 700 civic, business, and government leaders filled the room to hear Blumenauer, Rodin, Pelosi and other national and regional leaders address the scarcity of oil and water resources. Blumenauer and Rodin both focused on the nation's over-reliance on fossil fuels and the need for incorporating renewable sources of energy to fuel our cars and buildings. Blumenauer applauded the America 2050 initiative for thinking in bold terms about the future of our nation and suggested that meetings such as this one should be held in every congressional district. Rodin, who chaired the Assembly, recommended that federal policies urge coordination of state and local land-use plans with transportation policy. She underscored the importance of federal transportation policy to meet the challenges of climate change, competitiveness and social equity. To the last point, she added that after all, the Civil Rights movement began with "one very brave woman on a city bus; Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who dubbed herself the "Sewer Mayor," shared her experience of rebuilding the deteriorating water infrastructure in the City of Atlanta and highlighted the importance of partnering with the federal government to address Atlanta's water infrastructure crisis.

Nancy Pelosi received a standing ovation as she approached the stage for her keynote address. She called for a national commitment to infrastructure toward the goal of "renewing and rebuilding America." The Speaker mentioned that we must continue the tradition of so-called "disturbers" - leaders such as Secretary of Treasury Albert Gallatin under Thomas Jefferson, head of Forest Service Gifford Pinchot under President Theodore Roosevelt - who recognized the need to develop long term plans that shaped the nation's growth. To implement these long term visions, a "drumbeat" is needed calling for the need to renew and rebuild America's infrastructure.

For transcripts and videos of the Regional Assembly, please click here.

Pictures: Steve Ladner

Northeast Planners Convene to Discuss State Planning Practices

2008-04-15T22:07:37Z

Baltimore - Planning directors and staff from northeast states gathered for a two-day retreat in Baltimore on February 27-28, 2008 for the 10th Annual Northeast State Planning Leadership Retreat. Organized by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Regional Plan Association, the event featured a series of state best practices: 1) County and Municipal Coordination; 2) Urban Revitalization and Transit-Oriented Development; and 3) Open Space and Environmental Preservation. Participants also considered the potential for regional partnerships to tackle issues at a larger scale.

To view presentations from the event, click below:

Reid Ewing, "Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change"

Harriet Tregoning, "Making the Land Use-Transportation-Clmiate Change Connection"

Gerrit Knaap and John Frece, "Maryland's Smart Growth Initiative"

Richard Hall, "Open Space and Environmental Preservation in Maryland"

David Kooris, "Response to Urban Revitalization & TOD Panel"

California Jurisdictions Explore Megaregion Strategies, Fed Awards $225,000 For Initiative

2008-04-11T21:23:06Z

"Gas is $4 a gallon and we still have congestion" said Jim Spering, Solano County Supervisor in California recognizing that clogged roadways and reduced productivity must be addressed at a much larger scale. More than one hundred leading transportation experts from the Bay and Sacramento corridor gathered on Thursday, April 10th, to explore the possibility of coordinating transportation plans at the megaregion scale in an attempt to attract funding for projects.

In a parallel effort, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and Imperial Valley EDC received a $225,000 grant to spearhead a study that aims to develop a megaregion framework for global competition. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration awarded the grant, which will cover the two southern California counties and the Northern Baja California, Mexico region.

Click below for the articles:

'Mega-region touted for transit - TheReporter.Com

"EDCs Receive $225,000 Grant for Mega-Region Initiative - International Business Times

America 2050 Co-Chairman Addresses Metropolitan Transportation Challenges Before House T&I Committee

2008-04-09T15:56:05Z

On April 9, 2008, Robert D. Yaro, President of Regional Plan Association and Co-Chairman of America 2050, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. The hearing, titled "Transportation Challenges of Metropolitan Areas", featured testimonies on the infrastructure challenges within our metro areas, specifically goods movement, infrastructure maintenance and modernization, mobility and connectivity.

For Robert Yaro's written testimony, Click here.

For details on purpose of meeting, Click here.

To watch the hearing, Click here.

Show of Support for Amtrak Funding by Northeast Business Leaders

2008-04-03T21:22:56Z

The Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility, a coalition of chambers of commerce and economic policy groups in the Northeast megaregion, met with lawmakers yesterday in the U.S. Capitol to show their support for funding Amtrak's capital needs in the Northeast Corridor and improving intercity and regional rail service. The Business Alliance, which is chaired by the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Regional Plan Association, was joined by Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE), Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Amtrak president and CEO Alex Kummant (above).

L-R: Former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker and Sen. Tom Carper

Sen. Arlen Specter

]]> press release, the Alliance stressed three goals for the Northeast Corridor:

1.    Provide the yearly capital funding necessary to return the Northeast Corridor rail infrastructure to a state of good repair.
2.    Reduce intercity trip times through appropriate investments in equipment and infrastructure.
3.    Encourage Amtrak, the Governors in the Northeast, and the commuter railroads to work together to develop a long-term plan to increase the capacity of the corridor for commuter, intercity, and freight service.

In addition to focusing on modernizing the Northeast Corridor, the Alliance announced that it will address other transportation needs in the Northeast, by focusing on the next surface transportation bill authorization in 2009.

Click here to view more pictures of the event on Flickr.

Download a brochure on the Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility.

Read the article in CQ Today about the April 2 Forum.

View a list of participants in the April 2 Forum.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro

Rep. Jerrold Nadler

Rep. Jim Gerlach