News Release
February 29, 2000

Four Governors Push for High Speed Trains through Southeast

Washington, D.C. - Governors from North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia today presented their collaborative report for developing high speed rail through the Southeast at the Southern Governors Association meeting in Washington.

The "Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor: A Time to Act" report details the benefits high speed rail service would provide: enhanced environmental quality, energy savings, economic development from improved travel and tourism, and the reduced need for additional highway and airport construction. It was developed by the four state transportation departments.

Governors Jim Hunt, James Gilmore, Jim Hodges and Roy Barnes each commented on the importance of high speed rail in their states stressing the economic, transportation and environmental benefits.

"High speed rail service will help us to reduce congestion, improve air quality and grow in ways that benefit all of our citizens," said North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt. "It's one of many elements that can preserve the quality of life in North Carolina while helping our economy continue to grow." "High speed trains and commuter services like Virginia Rail Express are key elements in providing Virginians with a broad range of transportation choices," said Virginia Gov. James Gilmore.

South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges emphasized the tourism benefits saying, "Improved train services are another way more people can enjoy great tourism and recreational opportunities in South Carolina." "High speed trains will strengthen the links between business and financial centers -such as linking Atlanta to Charlotte, Raleigh, Columbia, Richmond and the Northeast," said Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes. The states have developed a strong working partnership to advance the effort. Ongoing efforts include working with Amtrak to develop a specific list of station and equipment improvements and working with the freight railroads to ensure that the investments benefit freight operations, as well.

Each of the governors has pledged to work with their congressional delegation to strengthen the federal investment in the Southeast High Speed Rail corridor, which was one of five such original federally designated corridors. It is projected to generate more revenue than any other proposed rail corridor in the nation -- $2.54 in benefits for every dollar spent to build and operate it.

"A significant portion of the region's economic future is riding on high speed rail," Gov. Hunt said. "It is critical that we act now to begin developing high speed rail in the South."

Copies of the report are available online at www.sehsr.org or by contacting your state transportation department.