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Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted in favor of H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 this afternoon on the House floor. This bill will reauthorize funding for Amtrak, the national rail system. This legislation introduces several innovative programs that promise to transform passenger rail travel in the U.S. including restructuring of the current Amtrak organization as well as ground-breaking high speed rail provisions.

Additionally, an amendment with language providing for a study to streamline the process of complying with the National Historic Preservation Act is of extreme importance to the Alaska Railroad. This language would allow the Alaska Railroad to overcome historical preservation obstacles quicker so that they can upgrade and improve existing bridges, tunnels, and tracks. Currently, the Alaska Historic Preservation Office is trying to treat the Alaska Railroad’s entire system as a "historic district" which delays projects and increases the associated costs.

"This bill is long overdue, and well-needed," said Rep. Young, a senior Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "Rail is incredibly important in this country, and is a very efficient means of transportation, especially now as gas prices are sky-rocketing. What used to be considered a luxury has now become one of the cheapest means of travel, and we need to ensure that it stays that way for the American people. It also, for the first time, allows for rail competition with the high-speed rail provision, encouraging private companies to compete for the contracts. Taking the cost off the back of the public and allowing private companies to compete is a winning combination for the American people.

"To me, however, the most important part of this bill, and the main reason I voted in favor of it, is the amendment which benefits the Alaska Railroad. It strikes a good balance between preserving our historic property in Alaska and expediting projects which helps lower costs. Additionally it is of great benefit to the Northern Rail Extension, which will run from North Pole to Delta Junction. This new study will help expedite the process of important rail projects, like the Northern Rail.

"Even more importantly, this extension will connect Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Greely. One of my biggest concerns for Alaska is the future of Eielson during the next round of Base Realignment And Closures (BRAC). The possible closure would have a devastating impact on Fairbanks. The connection this rail extension makes between Eielson and Greely could help dramatically in making the case to the Department of Defense that Eielson is an essential military installation for this country. Rather than sitting back and waiting until 2010 to see what’s going to happen, this provision allows us to be proactive in our case for securing a valuable asset to the Fairbanks area and Alaska as a whole.

"Generally speaking, this bill is of great benefit to Alaska, and as with every bill, that is my main concern. This bill creates jobs for Americans and gives the Alaska Railroad a means to continue to serve Alaskans while accelerating their projects and keeping costs down. It’s a win-win."

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