Gov. Jim Doyle and seven other Midwest governors pledged to cooperatively seek funding for a high-speed rail network Monday at the Midwest High Speed Rail Summit in Chicago.
Doyle and the governors of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio signed a memorandum of understanding at the summit, creating a Midwest steering group to help organize the application process for funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Governors from three other states - Indiana, Minnesota and Missouri - signed the memorandum in advance but did not attend the conference.
The governors agreed to prioritize connections between St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and the Twin Cities. Chicago would serve as the hub, and the network would use 3,000 miles of existing rights of way.
Doyle is currently seeking $519 million in ARRA funds for a Madison-Milwaukee route. At the conference Doyle said federal appropriations for high-speed rail systems could rise to $19 billion over the next few years.
The high-speed rail network is one of many proposed transportation projects competing for $8 billion in ARRA funds. According to a statement from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, the Federal Railroad Administration has received 278 applications for funding totaling $102 billion as of July 16.
Doyle said the Midwest has a real opportunity to become a leader in high-speed passenger rail"" and that the rail would reduce highway traffic and strengthen the economy.
""I am proud of the cooperation and hard work throughout the region that has prepared us to make this investment in our future,"" he said in a statement.
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the high-speed rail system could produce 57,000 permanent jobs and an additional 15,000 construction jobs.
The first round of merit-based federal funds for rail projects is expected this fall.
