Transportation

QUIZ

True or False: The American South's Gross Regional Product accounts for a third of the Gross National Product. (scroll down for answer)

Full Steam Ahead for High-Speed Trains from Washington to Charlotte

A high-speed train route from Washington, D.C. to Charlotte is closer to reality after North Carolina's and Virginia's transportation secretaries announced a preferred route through their states. Named the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, the proposed route would run from D.C. to Richmond, South Hill, Va., Henderson, Raleigh, Greensboro, and on to Charlotte, N.C. A connection would be included to Winston-Salem, N.C. Three years of environmental study has been done on the proposed project, including potential impacts on air quality, wetlands and historic sites and parks. The next step of the project is final approval form the Environmental Impact Statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Following an approval, the U.S. Department of Transportation will then give its approval for the selected route and phase two of the high-speed rail project will begin. Phase two includes continuing the rail line to Columbia, S.C., Atlanta, Birmingham, Macon and Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville terminus would link to high-speed rail that has been constitutionally mandated in central and south Florida.

Florida DOT Receives Maglev Proposals

Ten companies have responded to a Florida Department of Transportation request to prequalify for the building of a constitutionally mandated high-speed rail system in the state. Two of the companies hoping to secure Florida's first high-speed rail contract build maglev trains, or those that depend on magnetic propulsion and levitation. Maglev technology is currently being used in German and Japan, but not such train exists in the U.S. The first leg of the bullet train would be built from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World. It is estimated that it would cost $1 billion to extend the train route to Tampa.

Volvo Leaves Jacksonville Port for Brunswick

Swedish carmaker Volvo and its shipping line Wallenius Wilhelmsen have decided to end delivery of automobiles to the Jacksonville port. About 30,000 Volvo vehicles per year were processed at Jacksonville, which is approximately five percent of all vehicles processed at the large port facility located in north Florida. Volvo has chosen Brunswick, Ga. to ship its vehicles for delivery in the Southeast. Brunswick, which has made many improvements to its port facilities in the last several years, has taken other business from Jacksonville's port in recent years.

Texas Governor Unveils Huge State Plan

Texas Gov. Rick Perry unveiled a huge state transportation, communications and utility plan that includes changing the routes of hazardous materials out of urban population centers and reducing air pollution. The $175 billion (that's with a "B"), 25-year plan tackles such issues as electric power generation, 4,000 miles of new roads, new rail lines, water lines, gas pipelines, communication infrastructure and traffic congestion. Traffic congestion in Texas is a huge issue and Perry's re-election campaign will center on the problem. In part, Perry's plan, called the "Trans Texas Corridor," consists of six highway vehicle lanes, three in each direction, and six rail lines, three in each direction. One rail line would be be set for a high-speed commuter line, another for high-speed freight and the third for short haul rail. The proposed corridors will include easements for petroleum, gas, electric and telecommunications lines. Routes have not been chosen as of yet, but they are expected to parallel existing highway systems, including interstates. Texas voters have already endorsed the funding for the plan, which will come from public and private partnerships. Officials expect the project will be completed within 50 years.

Fed Road Money Earmarked for South Will Take Big Hit Next Year

As a result of plummeting gas tax collections, estimates by the U.S. Treasury indicate that state road building projects will lose over $9 billion in federal money for road and transportation projects next year. That's unfortunate for Southern states such as Virginia, Georgia and Texas, which are in desperate need of federal dollars to keep up with growth on its roadways. It is estimated that of the $9 billion lost, $6 billion was headed to states in the South.

Virginia Governor Adds Northern Virginia to Bill

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner has amended a bill passed by the General Assembly earlier in the year to give the people of Hampton Roads the opportunity to vote on a half-cent sales tax to fund transportation projects. The amendment now allows residents of Northern Virginia to vote on the half-cent increase as well. In addition to the proposed tax hike, which would not include food purchases, Warner wants an additional $290 million in bond authorizations to help officials in Northern Virginia pay for transportation projects.

Port of Baltimore Signs Honda Deal

In 2000 more than 500,000 automobiles moved through the Port of Baltimore, making it one of the largest auto ports on the East Coast. Now Honda is joining the fray. The port will receive Hondas manufactured in the United Kingdom as part of a deal signed by American Honda Motors and Baltimore's ATC Logistics. The deal will create at least 300 new jobs and will move 70,000 Honda Civics and SUVs through the port.

Private Jet Service Dead in Washington?

It's been nine months since the September 11 attacks and the general aviation facility at Reagan National Airport remains closed. It's the only aviation facility in the country that has not opened since the terrorist attacks. While commercial air traffic is nearly back to normal at Reagan International, it's unclear whether the general aviation facility will reopen for private aircraft. Government planes, such as those owned by the FBI, Secret Service and NASA are the only aircraft that are currently using the general aviation facilities.

Norfolk Southern Brings New Rail Service to Huntsville Intermodal

In March, Norfolk Southern introduced a new northeast service from Huntsville, Ala. to Rutherford, Pa. and Erail, N.J. The service marks the first time that the Tennessee Valley region is linked to the Northeast with direct domestic intermodal rail service by a single carrier. Currently, the International Intermodal Center, located at the Huntsville airport, deals with containers of an international origin or destination. Much of the cargo comes in from the West Coast ports of Los Angeles, Oakland and Seattle and the Southeast ports of Charleston, Savannah and Jacksonville. The new Northeast lanes are specifically aimed toward the domestic container market.

QUIZ ANSWER

False: With $3.27 trillion (that's with a "T"), the South's Gross Regional Product accounts for 35% of the $9.3 trillion Gross National Product. Following the South in Gross Regional Product are: West: $2.17 trillion; Northeast: $2.04 trillion; and Midwest: $1.82 trillion.