Welcome to the FastLane: The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation

Parking grants promise greater truck driver safety and security

When we talk about safety as this department's number one priority, it's easy to think of planes, trains, trucks, and automobiles in motion.  And for the most part that's true.

But for America's commercial truck drivers, safety off the road is an important issue.  Finding a safe and secure place to park a big rig overnight, so a driver can get the proper rest, is not as easy as it should be.  While state-operated rest stops and welcome centers can ease truckers' security concerns, there simply aren't enough of those available.

That's why the Federal Highway Administration recently awarded $6.5 million to Michigan and Minnesota to ease truck parking shortages in those states.

Less gas, more jobs; Allison Transmission leading the way to a future America can win

High gas prices have been hitting Americans at all income levels for weeks now.  At the same time, the need for new jobs in our recovering economy remains a concern.  Last week, President Obama and I visited an Allison Transmission manufacturing plant in Indianapolis that is solving both problems.

For the last 100 years, Allison Transmission has been at the forefront of America’s mission to out-innovate and out-build the competition.  They're continuing that legacy today as a leader in building diesel-electric hybrid transmissions for transit buses that reduce our reliance on foreign oil.  They’re on the verge of adapting that pioneering technology for hybrid commercial trucks.

And they're doing it with American workers.  In the last month alone, Allison has added 50 new jobs, and they expect to add another 200 jobs within the next two years. As the President said:

“This is where the American economy is rebuilding; this is where we are regaining our footing.  We don't want the new breakthrough technologies and the new manufacturing taking place in China and India.  We want all those new jobs right here in Indiana, right here in the United States of America, with American workers, American know-how, American ingenuity."

Who says America isn't ready for high-speed rail?

This morning I announced $2 billion for high-speed rail projects across America, and I have been energized by the tremendous response.

Whether people live near the Northeast Corridor, in the Midwest, or elsewhere, everyone is excited about the prospect of getting on a train and getting to their destination quickly, safely, comfortably, and affordably.  They're excited about hassle-free rides that help them avoid slogging through highway traffic or airport security.  And they're excited about being able to use their travel time--whether to relax or get some work done. 

The targeted investments we announced today will help them do exactly that.

In the Northeast Corridor, for example, we're awarding $795 million to upgrade some of the most heavily-used sections of the corridor. The investments will increase speeds from 135 to 160 miles per hour on critical segments, improve on-time performance and add more seats for passengers.

Latest awards bring US closer to national high-speed passenger rail network

This is a big day for the Department of Transportation, for the Obama Administration, and for the American people.  We are bringing President Obama's vision of American high-speed rail one step closer to reality with $2.02 billion in targeted investments.

And I am thrilled.

Today we are advancing President Obama's historic high-speed rail blueprint through 22 carefully selected projects that will create jobs, boost manufacturing, and spur development while laying the foundation for our future economic competitiveness. We are providing two billion dollars to 15 states and Amtrak to help build out America's high-speed rail network, enabling people and goods to travel more quickly, safely and energy-efficiently than ever before.

 

When DOT announced the competition for these awards in March, we were inundated with 98 applications seeking more than $10 billion.  Americans heard the President's plan to connect 80 percent of the nation to high-speed rail in the next 25 years, and they responded with a loud and clear, "Yes!"

And it's no wonder.  High-speed rail offers significant economic and practical benefits for the states and regions that build these lines and the passengers who ride them.