Minutes 06/09/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 9. 2009 "RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA TO ADVANCE HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER RAIL CONNECTION TO SOUTHSIDE HAMPTON ROADS AS A HIGH PRIORITY INITIATIVE. WHEREAS, the Hampton Roads region for many years has identified the need for better and more efficient ways to connect people traveling within the region and to points north and south of the region; and WHEREAS, such transportation connectivity requires multiple modes of travel because vehicle roads alone will not be successful; and WHEREAS, high-speed passenger rail will be a critical addition to the future United States transportation network offering an efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly travel alternative linking the major urban centers across the country; and WHEREAS, President Obama recently released a strategic plan entitled Vision for High-Speed Rail in America; and WHEREAS, the President's high-speed rail strategic plan proposes the rebuilding of the country's existing rail infrastructure into a new robust network of high- speed passenger rail corridors comparable to the European High-Speed Passenger Rail System: and WHEREAS, high-speed rail will have significant economic and quality of life benefits for connected communities and regions across the country by offering a viable, environmentally friendly, and energy efficient transportation alterative, which also promotes economic development, job creation, and enhanced travel and tourism opportunities; and WHEREAS, it is critically essential that the Hampton Roads region be directly connected to the emerging national high-speed rail network to ensure the region's continued economic competitiveness; and WHEREAS, the initial investment in high-speed rail to Hampton Roads must directly connect the larger population base and employment center of the region in South Hampton Roads to fully realize and leverage all the potential benefits of such a major transportation investment; and WHEREAS, a modern high-speed passenger rail system will also offer a viable emergency evacuation alternative for Southside Hampton Roads citizens in the event of a hurricane or other major disastrous event necessitating mass evacuation of the region; and WHEREAS, the well documented traffic delays at the major water crossings and tunnels of Hampton Roads make efficient travel across the region unnecessarily difficult; and WHEREAS, the necessary studies to evaluate and select a preferred high-speed rail alternative from Richmond to Hampton Roads have been delayed by more than two years; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly has not identified a dedicated and sufficient transportation funding stream to improve the regional transportation corridors, and federal funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 and subsequent federal budgets will direct significant funds to qualified high-speed rail projects; and