Vision For High Speed Rail In The United States

The French have the Train à Grande Vitesse (TVG). It is one of the world’s fastest. In Japan, there’s the Tōkaidō Shinkansen. It is the world’s busiest. In China, there’s the Shanghai Maglev Train. The world’s first commercial high-speed maglev line. In Spain, you have the Alta Velocidad Española (AVE). In the United States, we have what? No high speed rail? Why not?

President Obama has spoken (April 2009) about America’s need to develop high speed rail systems in the United States. Obama said that clogged highways in America were costing $80 billion in fuel and creating much congestion to Americans.

President Obama has suggested that $8 billion is being invested for high speed rail in the stimulus package. Also, another $5 billion over the next 5 years has been requested.

Here is a high speed rail corridor map (Wikipedia). Here is an animated map presented by the US High Rail Association.

President Obama proposes to launch a new network in 100-600 miles that will connect communities across America. Here is the Federal Railroad Administration website that explains the proposed plan.

The FRA plans to begin awarding grants in mid-September, 2009. There are state and regional efforts being considered all over the United States. Where will the grants be awarded?

Congress has already tried to cut the budget (HR 3288).