High Speed Rail Conference to Discuss Financing in February

Now that the $8 billion in federal money has jumpstarted high speed rail in the U.S., there’s still a gaping issue to discuss: Where will the rest of the money come from? After all, California’s plan alone will take an estimated $42 billion to complete — leaving $40 billion left to locate.

Fortunately, the conversation is getting underway. On February 23rd, a two-day conference titled “Financing High Speed Rail USA” will be hosted by American Business Conferences at Chicago’s Marriott Midway. Speakers will include Judge Quentin L. Kopp,
 Board Member of the California High Speed Rail Authority; William Glavin
, Chief Of Rail Division
 of the Texas DOT

; Andy Kunz, President & CEO of the US High Speed Rail Association; and Francis P. Mulvey, Commissioner Surface Transportation Board
. A press release from the conference organizers describe its goals as follows:

The Summit, sponsored by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP and French High Speed Rail Operator SNCF will provide a timely opportunity for participants to network with the financing community, (including investment banks, private investors and financial advisory firms), rail operators, engineering and construction companies, rolling stock firms, suppliers, State DOTS and federal agencies, as well as providing an important forum to expedite the formation of new regional partnerships.

This Summit is the only one that dissects the project costs for both incremental and new-build HSR projects. Capital costs will be discussed, and detail provided about the relative costs of different speeds, what makes these speeds necessary, and importantly, the economic environmental and social benefits they entail.

Interested in going? Click here for registration information.

NOTE: This post is sponsored content, though we fully advocate the conference and the greater discussion at large.