High Speed Rail

Twin Cities-to-Chicago Rail Plans Released

The state of Minnesota has released its final plans for a high-speed rail route connecting the Twin Cities to Chicago.

December 31, 2009 - Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune

Top Planning Issues Of 2009

December 31, 2009 - Nate Berg

North Carolina Requests $5 Billion for High Speed Rail

North Carolina is throwing its hat into the high-speed rail funding ring, requesting $5 billion of the $8 billion in stimulus funds the federal government has pledged to high-speed rail projects. Environmental reviews are almost complete.

December 29, 2009 - Asheville Citizen-Times

Four Years Later, 664 Miles of Rail in China

A new high speed rail line has just opened in China, making a 664-mile connection between the cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan. The new line was constructed in four years.

December 28, 2009 - Daily Mail

Northeast Shut Out From High Speed Rail Money

The Northeast corridor has effectively been shut out from receiving any federal high speed rail stimulus dollars due to tight environmental review policies.

December 22, 2009 - The Boston Globe

LaHood Talks Trains on the Daily Show

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood talks about the federal government's mobility plans on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

December 16, 2009 - The Daily Show

Lobbying Up As High Speed Rail Funding Increases

Stimulus funds directed at high speed rail projects have inspired a flood of lobbying efforts across the country, according to this analysis from the Center for Public Integrity.

December 6, 2009 - The Center for Public Integrity

Two Options for L.A. High Speed Rail Station

High speed rail is slowly transitioning from idea to reality in California, and one of its major stops will be in Los Angeles. But exactly where in Los Angeles remains an unanswered question.

December 5, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

The Future of American High Speed Rail: Regional and Slow

During his dramatic presentation last April, President Barack Obama laid out a bold vision for high speed rail in America. Wielding a stylish red, white, and blue map (below) he presented the proposed corridors for new high speed trains. (Similar, if not identical, to plans long sitting on the shelf at the Federal Railway Administration.) He asked Americans to "Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a few steps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from your destination." In reality limited funds, our dysfunctional planning processes, and the historical lack of investment in rail will mean the U.S. will most likely end up with a diverse collection of regional rail systems that may not go that fast.

November 13, 2009 - Robert Goodspeed

California Seeks Statewide Growth Strategy

The state of California is unveiling an effort to create a detailed strategy for how the state should grow. The ambitious plan is being kickstarted with a modest $2.5 million investment.

November 9, 2009 - The San Francisco Chronicle

China's Rail Revolution

Extensive investments in rail are slashing travel times in China, and creating a vastly more connected and accessible country.

October 27, 2009 - Newsweek

High Speed Rail: It's About Place

So says William Schroeer the State Policy Director at Smart Growth America, speaking at the High Speed Rail Conference in D.C. last weekend.

October 27, 2009 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

The Challenge of Dividing High Speed Rail Funds

The federal government has dedicated $8 billion to high speed rail projects. But with $50 billion worth of proposals, the challenge lies in how best to divide the funds.

October 24, 2009 - The New York Times

An Empty Disney High Speed Rail Station for Orlando

The Disney Corporation has announced intentions to donate land for a high speed rail station in Orlando if a Florida project is approved. But some say it's unlikely the company will encourage anyone to use their station.

October 13, 2009 - The Orlando Sentinel

Federal Mag-Lev Funding Reignites Debate in Las Vegas

Federal authorities recently announced $45 million in support of plans to construct a magnetic levitation train line between Las Vegas and Southern California, re-igniting a debate over two proposed rail connections.

September 18, 2009 - The Las Vegas Sun

Judge Rules Against Efforts to Stall California's High Speed Rail

A judge has overruled challenges from two northern California cities over the siting of the state's proposed high speed rail line. Environmental studies can now move forward.

September 17, 2009 - San Jose Business Journal

Tapping Outside Experience to Build U.S. High Speed Rail

As the race for high speed rail stimulus dollars gets underway, international firms stand to gain the most benefit as few if any U.S. firms are capable of building the rolling stock the new systems will need.

September 10, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

An Emerging High Speed Rail Hub

As California moves forward with its plans for a high speed rail network, one hub is coming into shape. This review looks at the new hub planned for the Southern California city of Anaheim.

August 30, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Plans for a High-Speed Rail Line Between London and Scotland

The proposed £34bn ($55bn) line, slated for completion by 2030, would reduce travel time between London and Glasgow to two-and-a-quarter hours.

August 27, 2009 - BBC News

Would High-Speed Rail from Dallas to Houston Make Sense?

Edward Glaeser continues his series on cost-benefit analysis of high-speed rail in the US, imagining a mythical route between Dallas and Houston.

August 14, 2009 - NY Times: Economix Blog

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