Missouri will benefit from the reallocation of over $200 million for track and equipment maintenance
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill made the following statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation's announcement that Missouri would be receiving a portion of more than $200 million that is being reallocated to states who have applied for additional funding through the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program. Missouri is one of seven states to be awarded additional funds available after other states chose not to accept funding.
"High-speed rail funding will create jobs in the short-term and lay the foundation for a stronger economy in the future. Missouri is poised to be a global leader in emerging technologies and manufacturing but we must have the essential infrastructure to make that happen and these projects are a step closer," said McCaskill. "This award is a credit to the hard-work of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), who offered a competitive bid showing the benefits this funding would have on the state's continued efforts to make travel easier for Missourians."
Last month, McCaskill sent a letter of support to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on behalf of MoDOT's application for this funding, further highlighting how the money would help transform the economy, commerce and transportation in both Missouri and the entire country.
McCaskill has continually advocated for a high-speed rail system across Missouri as a way to provide an efficient mode of transportation that connects many of the state's most traveled areas. Last year, Missouri received over $35 million in high-speed rail funding, with awards both in January and October for track construction and rail plan development.