New Hampshire Implementation - American Recovery &
Reinvestment Act of 2009
Program Title: Capital Assistance for High Speed Passenger Rail Corridors and
Intercity Passenger Rail Service
Short Description: Discretionary grants for high speed and intercity passenger rail
ARRA Appropriation nationwide: $8,000,000,000
Estimated New Hampshire Funds: Unknown – competitive application process
Granting Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation, FRA
Managing Agency: N.H. Department of Transportation
Status: Awaiting information from U.S. Department of Transportation
Award Criteria: Priority to projects that support the development of intercity
high speed rail service
Time Line for use:
• U.S. DOT submits strategic plan to Congress by April 17, 2009.
• U.S. DOT issues interim guidelines to grant seekers by June 16, 2009.
• U.S. DOT funds remain available until September 30, 2012.
Details: ARRA - page 94.
• Fully funded federal share possible.
• U.S. DOT Recovery Website: http://www.dot.gov/recovery/
March 09, 2009
Transit Use Hit Five-Decade High in 2008 as Gas Prices Rose
NY Times
By Michael Cooper
More people rode the nation’s public buses, subways and commuter trains last year than in any year since 1956, when the federal government created the Interstate highway system, according to a report by a transit association.
Americans took nearly 10.7 billion rides on public transportation in 2008, a 4 percent increase over the previous year, according to the report, by the American Public Transportation Association, a nonprofit organization that represents transit systems.
The report was to be released on Monday in Washington at the association’s
annual conference. more>
View the entire NY Times article
February 17, 2009
Stimulus czar calculates N.H.'s portion
$860 million said to be headed to state
By LAUREN R. DORGAN
When President Obama signs the $787 billion stimulus package, as he plans to do today, he will commit to sending $860 million in federal money to New Hampshire, according to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's office.
But it isn't exactly clear yet where all that money will go. Money from the bill is expected to help patch the state budget and to speed construction on roads and schools. Yesterday, Bud Fitch, the state's new stimulus czar, pored over the 1,000-page bill, compiling a spreadsheet and tabulating what's coming to New Hampshire, using various distribution formulae and knowledge of what New Hampshire officials and residents can apply... more>
Download the PDF
Februrary 12, 2009
Paul Hodes and NHBTI on Blue Hampshire
Shovel Ready Rail
"I'm a strong supporter of the Capital Corridor Rail Project. I am working with other Members of Congress and the state to help make this a reality. It looks like there is a possibility that we may be able to use funds from the Obama Jobs and Recovery bill to move the project along."
by: Congressman Paul Hodes @ Thu Feb 12, 2009 at 17:18:29 PM CST
February 8, 2009
3 City Sites Studied for Rail Station
By PATRICK MEIGHAN Staff Writer
NASHUA – As the push for commuter rail picks up steam, a regional planning agency is in the midst of a study of potential sites in the city for a rail station.
The Nashua Regional Planning Commission is conducting a site evaluation study and has a lead role in the technical work to prepare for commuter rail, said Steve Williams, the NRPC executive director. more>
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February 6, 2009
New Hampshire Business Leaders Sees Rail as Vital To Our Future
Growth and Prosperity
MANCHESTER, NH – A new business group believes the Obama administration’s
latest estimates for new jobs created in the stimulus bill are well below what they
could be.
The White House released its estimates Tuesday projecting New Hampshire would
see 17,000 new jobs, but New Hampshire Businesses for Transportation and
Infrastructure (NHBTI) believes additional well-paying jobs would be created with
the right kind of investment. more>
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February 03, 2009
Commuter rail plan calls for Concord stop
Differing proposals hinge on fed funding
By SHIRA SCHOENBERG
A proposed commuter rail from Boston to New Hampshire could potentially extend as far north as Concord, according to a plan drafted by Pan Am Railways.
But the implementation of the plan is far from certain. Pan Am is still negotiating with the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority over the makeup of a potential commuter rail, and the transit authority’s proposal would only take it as far as Manchester. Also, before any railroad could be finalized, funding would need to be assured, which has been a perennial problem. more>
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January 30, 2009
Rail service in N.H.: ‘very’ shovel-ready
Pan Am Systems, owner of the track, estimates work can be completed in a year
By Bob Sanders
Commuter rail service from Boston to Nashua in a year or two? What once seemed an impossible pipe dream has suddenly become a strong possibility.
One thing is clear: The federal economic stimulus package currently working its way through Congress is widely expected to include billions for rail projects that are “shovel-ready.” And New Hampshire is ready, says just about everyone involved in extending rail service to Nashua, and perhaps to Manchester,
even Concord. more>
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