Burgess Everett and Adam Snider look at the growing debate over where to allocate limited high-speed rail funds: on the East Coast, where rail already has a foothold, or out West, where California has the land and starter funds to make it happen.
Seen as a "shining savior" to those looking to reduce congestion and efficiently move millions of people, the contruction of high-speed rail throughout the United States (as President Obama had hoped) is being contrained by geography and limited funds. As such, HSR supporters are enmeshed in a debate over where to focus limited resources.
According to Everett and Snider, "lawmakers are torn between how to use limited funds: along the densely
packed East Coast, which has a history of commuter rail, or out West,
where California has ponied up billions of dollars to build a high-speed
system, much of it from scratch."
California has a head start, with $6 billion already allocated to the first phase of their HSR project, which could break ground this year. However, California's push is facing challenges at home and in D.C.
"In Washington, freshman Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), a member of the
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has pushed to
concentrate high-speed rail efforts in the Northeast, not back home.
"I've looked deep into California high-speed rail, and they continue
to change the number, and it doesn't pencil out. There's a lot of
hypothetical numbers - you can build a better business plan somewhere
like the Northeast [Corridor], where you've already got ridership
numbers and current travel times," he said.
FULL STORY: High-speed rail's competing visions
Slow Progress on America's High-Speed Rail Efforts
Milton Lindsay examines America's efforts to build a national system of high-speed trains and finds mixed results in the nation's eleven intended corridors.
The Passenger Rail Revival Is Here
For the first time in decades, multiple rail projects are moving forward that could have a transformative impact on train travel in the United States.
Amtrak Improving Tracks to Make Way for Faster Trains Between Baltimore and D.C.
Amtrak is in the process up updating its tracks to prepare for Acela Express trains that will travel at speeds up to 125 miles per hour between D.C. and Baltimore on the Northeast Corridor.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie