High speed rail a priority for LaHood, Obama

Here's why Ray LaHood continues to be my newest favorite politico. In yesterday's blog, he writes we can no longer rely exclusively on roads as a strategy for economic growth over the long term. Did you ever think you'd hear that from the U.S. DOT?

Part of LaHood's argument is that transit is better for our economy overall than road building, including job creation. A recent report released by the Transportation Equity Network shows that for each $1 billion spent on transportation, transit projects create 36,108 jobs, where road projects yield only 30,319. Add in the environmental, health and quality-of-life benefits, and it's a no brainer.

I pity the fool who'd rather sit in interstate gridlock than read/listen to music/watch a movie/sleep on a sleek new train to St. Louis.