Guest post by Theo Anderson Chicago’s intercity bus terminal is in limbo. Chicago has resisted calls for the city to buy and renovate the station. FlixBus, whose parent company sold the facility to a private-equity firm after buying Greyhound in 2021, now leases it on...
Newsletter 11/1/24: $2.4 Billion Awarded to Rail Projects Across the Country
$2.4 Billion Awarded to Rail Projects Across the Country
The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded $2.4 billion for rail projects throughout the country via the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.
CRISI grants can be used for freight and intercity rail projects. This round of funding is going to 122 projects in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
Read more about the rail projects receiving funding:
FRA Awards $2.4 Billion in CRISI Grants to 122 Projects (Trains)
$9M in Federal Funding for Scranton-NYC Train Infrastructure Comes at Critical Moment
Nearly $73 Million Approved for Better Amtrak Service Between Milwaukee and Chicago
Projects in Illinois and Virginia Receive CRISI Grants (Trains)
Dallas to Study High Speed Rail Projects
The Dallas City Council has approved an economic impact study for a proposed high-speed line between Dallas and Houston, and a second line between Dallas and Fort Worth.
Earlier this year the Dallas City Council passed a resolution opposing elevated rail through the Central Business District until an economic impact study is completed.
The contract for the study was awarded to the Boston Consulting Group and is expected to be completed in about three months.
Hopefully the study will build confidence that the high-speed line will boost the local economy and be a huge win for Dallas.
Learn More:
Dallas City Council Passes Resolution Opposing High Speed Rail
Dallas Brings in Consultant to Study Economic Impact of High Speed Rail Project
Amtrak Breaks Ground on Mobile Train Station
Last week, Amtrak broke ground on a new train station in Mobile, AL. The new station is part of the Gulf Coast Rail project, which will run from Mobile to New Orleans.
Elected officials gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking that has been a long time coming. Service along the Gulf Coast was suspended after Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Amtrak expects to begin operating two daily roundtrips in Spring 2025.
Learn More:
Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Attends Groundbreaking
Amtrak Is Bringing Passenger Rail Service to Mobile, Can Pensacola Be Next?
Map Shows Foundation for High Speed Rail—and Need for a National Plan
Without a map, it’s difficult to grasp just how much of the US could be served by high-speed trains.
There are many “crayon” maps, where people express their visions for where high-speed rail should run. Most of these maps propose very similar routes. This shows that there is a strong demand for high-speed rail and a growing consensus for where we should build it. The most thoughtful is probably this one by Alon Levy, who used a ridership model to establish his case.
But unfortunately, no comprehensive planning has been done, which is a big problem.
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High Speed Rail in Australia
When: Thursday, November 21 at 4pm CT on Zoom
After decades of proposals, plans for high-speed rail in Australia are moving forward. The Australian government’s High Speed Rail Authority began serious work earlier this year, focusing on the stage from Sydney to Newcastle.
What’s up With Britain’s HS2 High-Speed Rail Project?
When: Friday, December 13 at 12pm CT on Zoom
HS2 is Britain’s new high-speed railway, a once-in-a-generation investment in its transport infrastructure. British-built trains will provide reliable, zero-carbon travel, cutting travel time between London and Birmingham by 40%.
U.S. High-Speed Rail Map Shows How New Plans Might Work
Opinion: Who Does Passenger Rail Serve?
First Look at Derby-Made HS2 Train Interiors
Transportation Policy Gets Left Behind in Presidential Race
Amtrak Train Between Twin Cities and Chicago Sees Ridership Milestone
Lessons Learnt From Luxembourg’s Fare-Free Transport System
Chicago CREATE Project Receives Both Mega, INFRA Grants
Grants Will Help Build Bridges, But Not Bring Passenger Service to Quad Cities
Japan’s Bullet Train Just Turned 60. Could it Finally Be Coming to America?
Transit Measures on the November Ballot
Regional Transportation Is at a Crossroads In Normal, IL
Opinion: Lack of Regional Leadership Prevents Progress on Unified Metro NYC Rail
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