VIRGINIANS FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL PETITION

BE IT RESOLVED, that we, who are citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, request of our elected officials, the creation of a fully developed and integrated rail system. A system, which promotes rail as a means to relieve the congestion on our roads, advances our national security infrastructure, supports our environment, encourages economic development, and decreases our
oil dependency.

WHEREAS, automobiles use up to 27\% more energy per passenger mile then Amtrak, and a tractor-trailer uses up to 300\% more energy than a freight train.

WHEREAS, it takes 62\% less land to build a railroad track than a highway lane per mile.

WHEREAS, Virginias current rail funding of $23 to $36 million annually is woefully inadequate.

WHEREAS, public support for additional capacity on the Washington, DC and Richmond, VA rail corridor (i.e. the third track); the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor; the TransDominion Express; Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC; and the Hampton Roads to Richmond rail corridors is at unprecedented levels.

WHEREAS, we need strong leadership from our elected officials on the rail issue.

LET IT BE RESOLVED, that we reaffirm our request that the duly elected officials of the Commonwealth of Virginia, create, fund, and maintain a fully developed and integrated rail system.