High-Speed rail is a hot topic in the Commonwealth, specifically along the eastern part of the state. With hopes of boosting economic growth and reducing traffic on interstate 95, many are hopeful for such a project to come to fruition.

"Reasonable people certainly disagree over what impact the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will have on our country's economy. Disagreements also abound about some of the items included in the act, with the most high profile of those contests over expansion of unemployment benefits having played out in the General Assembly's recent reconvened session. However, two things about ARRA are certain. First, it was sold to Congress and the American people as a national investment in our country's infrastructure and our work force that would create jobs and stimulate our sagging economy. In Virginia, no project presents the prospect of fulfilling those goals better than high-speed rail, and ARRA happens to make available $8 billion for such investments."

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