BY CHERALYN BARRINGTON
Lions’ Pride Assistant Layout Editor

“We’ve gone through a very difficult year, but I have great optimism that we have begun to dig ourselves out of this hole,” said Obama.

“We are going to start building a new high-speed rail line right here in Tampa, building for the future, putting people to work,” he told the excited crowd of approximately 3,000 at Bob Martinez Sports Center at the University of Tampa (www.palmbeachpost.com.)

He believes that this will give people an effective, cost efficient means of travel without the hassle or high prices of a busy airport. This plan will also give thousands of Floridians jobs, and in turn, will help boost the economy. Congested airports and overfilled highways are cutting off means of economic growth. Obama addressed this issue in his speech.

“What we need, then, is a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st century,” Obama said. “We need a system that reduces travel times and increases mobility, a system that reduces congestion and boosts productivity, a system that reduces destructive emissions and creates jobs”(www.nytimes.com.)

Although this is a controversial idea, as many of Obama’s are, he says he makes no apologies for trying to fix things even if they seem difficult.

“Change never comes without a fight, Florida. So I won’t stop fighting; I know you won’t, either,” he said.

“You’re doing a good job,” was a yelled response from the crowd (www.tampabay.com.)

Vice President Joe Biden, who is knowledgeable about the economic stimulus plan, and is also a longtime high-speed rail advocate, gave a speech during this event serving as a prelude into Obama’s speech. The two very rarely travel together, as it can be seen as a high security risk, but they arrived in separate planes as an extra precaution (www.palmbeachpost.com.)

“It will change the way which we go from place to place, change the ways we work and live, and will connect communities to each other in a way that in the past was impossible,” Biden said of Obama’s high-speed rail program.

“Just like the Interstate Highway structure did back in the mid ’50s, it will have far-reaching consequences.”

The rail will travel from Tampa to Orlando and from Orlando to Miami. It will reach speeds of 120 miles per hour or more. Construction for Tampa to Orlando travel is set to begin in October of 2011; construction for Orlando to Miami travel is set for 2013. Obama plans to build additional rails that will encompass at least ten regions, and will cost approximately nine billion once they are completed. Although the rails will be costly, Obama feels that they will help America’s economy flourish and will benefit those who travel. The rails will not interfere with automobile travel, as they will not directly cross paths with roads and highways.

According to the Florida High Speed Rail website, “Florida’s proposed high speed rail system will be constructed on tracks or overhead guideways completely separate from automobile traffic.”
Obama has high hopes for this plan and expressed his anticipation to Tampa.

“I’m excited. I’m going to come back down here and ride it. Joe and I — you all have a date.”

For more information about the high-speed rail, refer to this website: http://www.floridahighspeedrail.org/Rail_Corridors.html.