High Speed Rail

Long lines at airport security and weather delays have contributed to Amtrak's commanding travel mode share between D.C. and NYC, and majority share between NYC and Boston, but the lead is threatened by the competition and aging infrastructure.

August 17, 2012 - The New York Times - Business Day

A new academic study has determined that California's beleaguered high speed rail project may meet at least one promise if fully built - it can bring the environmental improvements that supporters boasted when travelers ditch planes and cars for HSR.

August 1, 2012 - The Daily Californian

TIME's senior national correspondent posits that once the first shovel begins digging int the Central Valley, the $68 billion project will be hard to stop, regardless of the fact that no federal funding awaits as long as the GOP controls the House.

July 12, 2012 - Time

After a much heralded vote on July 6 in the state Senate, the embattled CA high-speed rail project is now eligible to receive $7.9 billion in state and federal funds, but formidable obstacles remain, not the least of which is finding $60 billion.

July 10, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

Gov. Jerry Brown is asking the state legislature to alter the state's environmental law (CEQA) in order to begin construction of the high speed rail project in the Central Valley. It is aimed at heading off lawsuits intended to delay the project.

June 4, 2012 - San Jose Mercury News

Joseph Strauss' dream of spanning the Golden Gate is remarkably similar to Gov. Jerry Brown's of spanning the Golden State with high speed rail, and providing fresh water under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Public opposition is the common link.

June 2, 2012 - KTVU.Com

For the second time this week, the "Room For Debate" section of The New York Times is tackling an area of interest for planners. This time, High Speed Rail in California is up for debate by a series of contributors.

January 28, 2012 - The New York Times

Facing strong headwinds from citizens, legislators, and analysts, Governor Jerry Brown threw his unequivocal support behind the state's proposed high speed rail project in his annual State of the State address.

January 20, 2012 - The New York Times

Tim Sheehan investigates the lessons -- both successes and mistakes -- that can be learned from Spain's 20-year history with high speed trains.

January 18, 2012 - The Fresno Bee

President Obama's 25 year vision for a nationwide revolution in High Speed Rail is stuck in the station.

January 17, 2012 - The Washington Post

For those who missed it, Friday brought the end to the influential infrastructure focused blog -- The Infrastructurist

January 11, 2012 - The Infrastructurist

If California doesn't start work on high speed rail by September, 2011, it will lose $3 billion in funding. If California does start work without securing future funding, it could end up with a $6 billion track to nowhere.

January 10, 2012 - The Washington Post

Architect Peter Calthorpe lays out a forceful argument for the lower costs and higher benefits of constructing high speed rail versus expanded highways to serve the state's growing population and economic development.

January 10, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

A 'peer review' committee advises that the legislature should refuse to authorize funding for the first phase of California's high speed rail project, citing a "immense financial risk" for the state.

January 6, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Atlantic Cities offers a review of ten of the worst urban transportation failures to take place in American cities in 2011.

December 30, 2011 - Atlantic Cities

Per a USDOT press release on Monday, Secretary LaHood has OK'd an additional $928.6 million in funding for California high speed rail, keeping the funds out of reach from state Republicans who'd rather the money go to highway construction.

November 24, 2011 - California High Speed Rail Blog

According to preliminary reports on the new business plan, the California High Speed Rail Authority's new estimate for the 800-mile system will be $98.5 billion - initially pegged at $43 billion, and will take an additional 13 years to build.

November 2, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority announced that the cost of the project has tripled to nearly $99 billion, and federal funds for it don't exist yet--prompting some legislators' support to fizzle.

November 2, 2011 - San Jose Mercury News

If the lack of funding doesn't kill it, lawsuits in northern, southern, and now central California might just do it. California Watch analyzes the lawsuits facing the CA High Speed Rail Authority in the three regions of the state.

September 20, 2011 - California Watch via SF Chronicle

This post from The Infrastructurist looks at recent arguments for and against high speed rail projects in the U.S. through the lens of spending.

August 4, 2011 - Infrastructurist