The U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding $8 billion to states across the country to develop America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service. The project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Through the Recovery Act, we are making the largest investment in infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was created, putting Americans to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, and waterways for the future,” said President Obama. “That investment is how we can break ground across the country, putting people to work building high-speed rail lines, because there’s no reason why Europe or China should have the fastest trains when we can build them right here in America.”

“By investing in high speed rail, we’re doing so many good things for our country at the same time,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “We’re creating good construction and manufacturing jobs in the near-term; we’re spurring economic development in the future; we’re making our communities more livable—and we’re doing it all while decreasing America’s environmental impact and increasing America’s ability to compete in the world.”

This will serve as a down payment on developing or laying the groundwork for 13 new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors across the country. The major corridors are part of a total of 31 states receiving investments, including smaller projects and planning work that will help lay the groundwork for future high-speed intercity rail service.

This investment is expected to create or save tens of thousands of jobs over time in areas like track-laying, manufacturing, planning and engineering, and rail maintenance and operations.

“The President’s bold vision for high-speed rail is a game changer,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “It’s not only going to create good jobs and reinvigorate our manufacturing base, it’s also going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help create livable communities. I have no doubt that building the next generation of rail service in this country will help change our society for the better.”

The funded program will includes projects in Florida, which is receiving up to $1.25 billion to develop a new high-speed rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando with trains running up to 168 mph, and in California, which is receiving up to $2.25 billion to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco and points in between with trains running up to 220 mph.

In April 2009, the Administration released a long-term plan for high-speed rail in America. In addition to the $8 billion, the plan also included $1 billion a year for five years in the federal budget. Applicants submitted over $55 billion in project proposals for the initial $8 billion.

Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W. Va.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation said, “The Obama administration has acted on our shared belief that investing in high-speed rail can bring jobs and economic stability to many communities throughout the nation, including West Virginia. A first-class passenger rail network must start with a strong national commitment to its success, and this $8 billion in stimulus funding is just the beginning of making high-speed rail a priority and a reality. I believe—and I know—that a better passenger rail system offers a real solution to the energy, environmental and congestion problems we face and is a productive first step toward building on America’s job growth—this is a great way to invest in our nation’s future.”