NORWICH – The $8 billion in federal stimulus money President Barack Obama has earmarked for investments in high speed rail could positively impact our local area, according to Congressman Michael Arcuri.

“I think high speed rail will be as important to the re-development of upstate New York as the Erie Canal (once was),” he said at a town hall-style meeting held yesterday at the Norwich Fire Department.

Critics of the president’s high speed rail initiative point out there is no real monetary savings, but Arcuri maintains there are benefits, including that it employs cleaner technology and is much faster than traditional rail.

Ten corridors have been designated as a part of the president’s plan, including the Empire Corridor which would stretch from New York to Niagara Falls, passing through Albany, Utica, Syracuse and Rochester.