Dems putting high-speed rail back on track

[RyanPsych]

President Obama announced recently that $8 billion in Recovery Act grants are going to the development of America's first nationwide high-speed intercity rail service program.

The grants will, according to the White House, lead to the development of groundwork for 13 new high-speed rail corridors across the U.S. According to Policy Innovations, these corridors are part of a total of 31 states receiving investments, which include smaller projects and plans that are all intended to culminate in providing exemplary rail service in the country's future.

Democrats met with train and environmental advocates April 28 to release a report on the Midwest rail project. The project, officially known as the Midwest Regional Rail System, is a multi-agency effort that involves nine Midwest states and the Federal Railroad Administration. It plans to use 3,000 miles of existing rail to connect rural and urban areas, introduce more modern, high-speed trains and provide multi-modal connections to improve system access. The largest goal of the initiative is to lessen travel times for riders, as well as increase the frequencies of train arrivals and departures. Rep. Brett Hulsey, D-Wis., told the Badger Herald, "By creating this Midwest high-speed train system, we can create over 103,000 jobs and also add $13.8 billion in economic activity."

Overall, says the White House, the Recovery Act grants will not only confirm Hulsey's statement by providing a positive economic impact, but will also help lay the groundwork for nationwide infrastructure expansion, and provide faster and more energy-efficient means of travel. This would establish a new industry in the U.S. - one that does not prey on the environment in order to make a profit.

continue at: http://www.peoplesworld.org/putting-high-speed-rail-back-on-track/

[RC]

1. How can existing rail be used by both High Speed Rail and freight trains?

This needs a rethink.
High speed stresses the rails and track bed more than the slower fright trains do. Upgrades will need to be done regardless.

[txlibdem]

2. Agreed. The freight rails have max speed of 91 mpg

You call that high speed rail... when the Chinese are already doing 200 mph? Germans, France, etc., 180 mph+.

Just another expensive setup to make the US the laughing stock of the world again.

[onethatcares]

3. thank gaud we don't want that in Floriduh

jeez, who needs jobs or any kind of view into the future. Can't we all go down to the creationism theme park and take a ride on the Noahs ark waterslide?