July 6, 2009

Nevada Senator Harry Reid met Thursday with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  Speaking in Las Vegas, they introduced a new agreement that will extend high-speed rail from the Los Angeles area to Las Vegas.  “High-speed rail not only provides a much needed means of transportation that will reduce congestion on I-15, but it will also create jobs at a time when Nevada needs them the most, increase tourism and reduce our reliance on foreign oil,” said Reid.

In April, the Obama administration announced the effort to transform the nation’s transportation system by developing rail infrastructure and launching high-speed passenger rail services in corridors that connect U.S. communities.  This agreement extends the California High-Speed Rail corridor into Nevada.

Senator Reid and Secretary LaHood were joined by members of the Nevada labor community, business leaders, and other elected officials in announcing the high-speed rail agreement.
 
Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which included an $8 billion High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) highly-competitive grant program.  President Obama has proposed a continuing $1 billion annual investment in high-speed rail.

To learn more about the rail announcement, click here.