Blumenauer jumps aboard high-speed rail spending plan

Oregon congressman backs Obama budget that gives a boost to rail

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Mar 9, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (12 Reader comments)

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer is one of the strongest supporters of President Obama’s plan to build high-speed rail lines throughout the country.

Obama included $8 billion to begin constructing the lines in the economic stimulus package passed by Congress last month. The budget he recently submitted to Congress calls for an addition $1 billion to be spent on the lines each year for the next five years.

“This is the largest commitment we’ve seen in decades to rail,” said Blumenauer, one of the strongest transit advocates in Congress.

Eleven rail corridors are under consideration. One of them runs from Eugene through Portland and Seattle to Vancouver, British Columbia.

“We have an excellent opportunity to strengthen rail service between Eugene and Seattle,” said Blumenauer. “There is an excellent opportunity for us to secure some of the money.”

Securing the funds will likely require a financial match from the state governments in Oregon and Washington. According to Blumenauer, both states should make the commitment, even though the recession is straining their budgets.

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