U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced $2 billion in high-speed rail awards providing an investment to speed up trains in the Northeast Corridor, expand service in the Midwest and provide new, state-of-the-art locomotives and rail cars as part of the Administration’s plan to transform travel in the United States. Twenty-four ...

In a move expected to create 650 construction jobs, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has approved the proposed southern route for Amtrak’s new Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque service from Chicago’s Union Station to downtown Rockford. The trains are scheduled to be in service by early 2014. “Illinois is committed to creating jobs and promoting economic ...

A report from the New York Times: Ohio and Wisconsin’s loss of $1.2 billion in federal stimulus money for rail projects will be California, Florida and 11 other states’ gain. Ohio and Wisconsin sought and won the stimulus money this year to build new rail lines to create jobs, ease traffic and ...

Work can begin on the Appalachian Regional Short-Line Rail project following the signing of a $12.9 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus grant agreement on Dec. 1 by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Tennessee also is receiving $2.8 million and West Virginia $1.7 million, bringing to $17.5 million ...

Indicating the Obama administration's commitment to high-speed rail, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told a group of transportation leaders meeting at a conference on U.S. rail development in New York yesterday (Nov. 18) that the administration will redistribute rail funds spurned by new Republican governors in Ohio and Wisconsin. LaHood said his staff was ...

A study by the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group shows that high-speed rail can boost the economy, save energy, curb pollution and provide a popular alternative to congested roads and airports, according to a news release issued by the group. "This report shows why other countries are investing in high-speed rail. ...

The Federal Railroad Administration has announced the award of $2.482 billion in High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail grants. Fifty-four projects in 23 states and several multi-state regions are included in the grant awards. These awards are in addition to the $8 billion in grants for projects approved earlier this year through ...

A report recently issued by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation says critical repairs, maintenance and construction of the U.S. infrastructure system have been undermined by the recession and lower budgets. The report, called Infrastructure Construction and Equipment Finance Opportunities, notes that the U.S. infrastructure system has been given a ...

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, which supplies machinery to the construction industry, is applauding President Obama for recognizing the vital importance of infrastructure investment to the long-term strength and competitiveness of the United States. "What America needs — and what voters want — is the Administration and Congress to work ...

An ongoing debate about Infrastructure programs is closely tied to the health of the construction industry. In this report, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell lays out one vision for the future. http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/12/09/how-would-a-national-infrastructure-bank-work-an-interview-with-pa-gov-ed-rendell/

A McClatchy Newspapers article points to an outdated railway system and says that new railways would bring millions of jobs, including construction jobs, as well as an improved transportation system. http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/08/26/1588346/its-time-to-build-an-interstate.html