High Speed Rail
California Supreme Court Rebuffs High Speed Rail Opponents
The California Supreme Court gave a green light to the state's embattled High Speed Rail Authority to begin issuing $8.6 billion in voter-approved bonds by rejecting the appeal by Central Valley opponents of the project.
California High Speed Rail Authority Reaches Milestone
The Authority is ready to purchase trainsets, and once again, the Siemen's rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento is looking to add another contract to add to its growing rail car orders. A request for "expressions of interest" was issued.
All Aboard Florida's California Connection
All Aboard Florida, the diesel-powered, high speed (125 mph) train connecting Miami to Orlando has ordered new locomotives and coaches with Siemen's Sacramento, California plant. The mostly privately funded train should be running by 2016.
California High Speed Rail Construction and Litigation Update
Notwithstanding a favorable court ruling freeing state bond funds, construction is delayed on the 800-mile project, reports Ralph Vartabedian of the LA Times. Jessica Calefati of the Mercury News writes on opponents' appeal to the state Supreme Court
$102 Million Brings Chicago-St. Louis High Speed Rail a Step Closer
A $102 million investment by Illinois along with federal funds from the Recovery Act will pay for double-tracking and a new rail bridge to enable 109 mph service on a key section of Amtrak's Chicago to St. Louis high speed rail corridor.
How Can Rail Complete its Comeback in the United States?
Deepa Sanyal writes the second installment of a series devoted to the idea of "Rail Redux"—this time examining the question of what components are necessary to drive a "true rail resurgence."
California High Speed Rail: Federal Aid Not Required
That was the message from Gov. Jerry Brown after a state appeals court unlocked a lower court's hold on $9.95 billion of state bond funds for the $68 billion project. He exchanged words with HSR opponent House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
California Appeals Court Ruling Brings Great News for High Speed Rail
Both sides have been awaiting this ruling, which left Gov. Jerry Brown and the High Speed Rail Authority greatly pleased: the appeals court ruling releases $9.9 billion of 2008 voter-approved bond funding, though other court battles loom.
Luck May Be Changing for California High Speed Rail
No, the debilitating lawsuits haven't been resolved, so the HSR Authority still can't tap the $10 billion in voter-approved bonds, but the new state budget based on cap-and-trade revenue for HSR is sparking inquiries from private investors.
Texas High Speed Rail Proposal Gaining Momentum
An article by Amy Crawford details the prospects of a plan to build a private rail connection between Houston and Dallas—the Texas Central Railway—that would be modeled on lines in Japan, and funded by Japanese interests.
California High Speed Rail Update
The San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Center offers good news about California's slow-to-start high speed rail.
How are California’s Bullet Train and Affordable Housing Connected?
California Gov. Brown’s support of high speed rail contrasts sharply with his gutting of affordable housing. Michael Russell, real estate developer and advisor, reviews pending bills and potential fixes for affordable housing.
China Considering High Speed Rail Project—to the United States
Reports from Beijing are that Chinese officials are considering a high speed rail project that would connect China to North America. The project sounds like science fiction—but the question remains whether China would or could pull off the project.
Texas Mayors Support High Speed Rail
The mayors of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston recently announced their support of a high-speed rail connection between the two metropolitan areas. The line would be privately funded.
Is CA High-Speed Rail Stalling the Federal Rail Program?
House Republicans object to further funding of the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program - largely due to California's expectation to receive $42 billion in federal funding - yet less ambitious projects have shown much promise.
San Diego's Omission from High-Speed Rail: Customary Curse or Blessing in Disguise?
Is California's High-Speed Rail (HSR) a "boondoggle" for the state, as its critics assert, or just a boondoggle for omitted cities? How should such cities deal with omission from HSR? San Diego is a case in point.
Trainjacking America's Finance Industry
Acela has improved connectivity along the Northeast Corridor, but is that actually a good thing? Aaron M. Renn argues that high-speed rail has actually hurt America by giving the finance industry a stranglehold over fiscal and monetary policies.
Amtrak to Replace All Acela Trains
By announcing this week that it will scrap plans to upgrade Acela trains incrementally, and instead replace them all with new equipment, the passenger rail carrier is signaling that it is speeding up the timeline for higher-speed rail service.
CA HSR Passes Crucial Court Test In Central Valley
Writing from Madera in the Central Valley, the Mercury News transportation reporter explores the local opposition to the largest public works project in the nation. Farmers wanted an injunction placed on the CA High Speed Rail Authority to halt work.
CA High Speed Rail Receives More Good News from Feds
Two days after the CA High Speed Rail Authority received federal environmental streamlining of the 60-mile Merced to Fresno segment, the Federal Railroad Administration announced they will do the same for the 114-mile Fresno to Bakersfield segment.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
