The Future of U.S. High-Speed Rail
Photo Source: loudtiger
The 2009 economic stimulus package included $8 billion allocated as seed money for proposed rail projects. States were instructed to apply directly to the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) with proposals for future rail investments including high-speed rail. The response was overwhelming. The FRA received 259 grant applications from 37 states and the District of Columbia. Requests amounted to $57 billion in funding. In total 79 applications from 31 states were approved.
Earlier this year the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program released its vision of future passenger rail in the United States (see map below). Major projects for high-speed rail funded through the stimulus package include lines from Tampa to Orlando, Chicago to St. Louis and San Diego to Sacramento.
