High-speed rail could be the most exciting development in transportation to date, promising greater efficiency and capacity than systems we currently have in place, with less negative environmental impact. America 2050, AASHTO, the United States Conference of Mayors and, of course, the Obama Administration are just a few of HSR’s many advocates. Construction is beginning soon in Florida, and other states and regions already have plans in the works. A national high-speed rail system is more attainable than ever, but are we investing as much as we should?
Our latest Infra Poll asks:
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agree that U.S. sould invest more in high-speed rail and rapid rail.
We need to be safe, effecient, and smart. Starting out with corridors to ease traffic, reduce travel times, and quit burning oil via gasoline is desirable in my opinion to the majoruty of Americans. I have lived in Europe via a student exchange program in the past, and I can tell you that to me, anyone who opposes this doesn’t understand the extrodinary improvement this will cause in transportation. When I was in Europe I loved it. If we can travel in the U.S. via the trancontinental railroad over 150 years ago, I believe we can and will travel via a high speed rail system in this country now and in the future. I am an engineer and to me it makes sense, and if I could get on a train and travel to a staion close to work, and then either walk or ride a bike the remaining distance, if any, I would do it at least a few times per week. We as a nation are falling behind other nations as far as infrastructure, as we had a bridge fail in Minnesota a couple of years ago, and we just had a dam fail in Iowa today. We need not only to upgrade, but also invest in innovation and new or other solutions, and not stay stuck in a “just leave everything like it is” attitude. Think of the jobs, and most important, a choice, instead of staying stuck in traffic. We need to wake up and put our country and our people first for a change.