I’m trying to not get too excited — as time and money is always a factor with the federal government –, but Obama and the Federal Railroad Administration has released a strategic plan called a Vision for High Speed Rail in America. The funding part is tricky. There’s $8 billion in the stimulus package for a “down payment” on the plan and they’re asking for Congress to approve another $5 billion to be spread out over the next five years. I didn’t read the document too closely, but have a feeling that the whole thing is going to cost more than $13 billion.
None the less, according to the maps, if and when the “vision” comes to reality, the East Coast, and RDU more specifically, could see some pretty sweet rail lines to DC, New York, Atlanta, and the like. How lovely it would be to get on more trains rather than planes. Now if only it would go to Asheville too!
Filed under: In the world
