SENATE BILL: Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act (Law'd)

[Frodo]

I think the amendment passes.

I propose

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

I like it, but if we are going to include funding for bus rapid transit systems (BRT), I hope future amendments for this bill will appropriate similar amounts to be distributed for urban rail systems in such metropolises like DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, among other such examples.  

[Frodo]

Basically commuter rail.

It is too bad that commuter rail could not be done underground cost-effectively.

With interest rates as low as they ever will be, now would be the best time to go ahead with these projects that we would otherwise regard as pipe dreams.  Wait any longer, and they will be too expensive to even consider.  

[Frodo]

Basically commuter rail.

It is too bad that commuter rail could not be done underground cost-effectively.

And for the record, I am referring to urban heavy-rail subway lines, light rail, and street car systems as well as commuter rail lines like MARC, VRE, and Sounder -not high speed rail.