Forum to address stimulus, railway

CONCORD – The use of federal stimulus money and future of commuter rail are topics for a luncheon forum April 16 in Concord.

“Transportation Challenges and Opportunities for the Granite State,” is a joint effort of the Business and Industry Association, in partnership with the Associated General Contractors of NH, NH Municipal Association and A Safer Road to Tomorrow Coalition.

U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes, state Rep. David Campbell, D-Nashua, DOT Commissioner Campbell and Pike Industries President Christian Zimmerman are panelists for the event at the Concord Holiday Inn.

The lunch costs $35 for BIA and partner members, $49 for anyone else.

The New England Regional Rail Coalition endorsed the commuter rail project for competitive funding in a letter to Obama administration officials released Monday.

“The New Hampshire Capitol Corridor project is essential to building a more balanced transportation system in New Hampshire,” wrote Tom Irwin, a lawyer with the Conservation Law Foundation and founding member of the coalition.

“It will serve the growing number of commuters between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, providing a much needed alternative that will reduce traffic congestion and global warming pollution, and create important opportunities for transit-oriented development that will strengthen the state’s economy.”