US Vice President Joe Biden outlined a plan intended to place high-speed rail on equal footing with other surface transportation programs and revitalize America’s domestic rail manufacturing industry by dedicating $53 billion over six years to continue construction of a national high-speed and intercity passenger rail network.
As the first step in the 6-year, the President’s Budget for the coming fiscal year would invest $8 billion in expanding access to high-speed passenger rail service. In order to achieve a truly national system, these investments will focus on developing or improving three types of interconnected corridors:
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Core Express: These corridors will form the backbone of the national high-speed rail system, with electrified trains traveling on dedicated tracks at speeds of 125-250 mph or higher.
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Regional: Crucial regional corridors with train speeds of 90-125 mph will see increases in trips and reductions in travel times, laying the foundation for future high-speed service.
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Emerging: Trains traveling at up to 90 mph will provide travelers in emerging rail corridors with access to the larger national high-speed and intercity passenger rail network.
This system will allow the Department—in partnership with states, freight rail, and private companies— to identify corridors for the construction of world-class high-speed rail, while raising speeds on existing rail lines and providing planning and resources to communities who want to join the national high-speed rail network.
This long-term commitment builds on the $10.5-billion investment the Obama Administration already devoted to a national high-speed rail system—including $8 billion of Recovery Act funds and $2.5 billion from the 2010 budget.
The proposal announced today by the Vice President also streamlines the Department of Transportation’s rail programs, making it simpler for states, cities, and private companies to apply for grants and loans.
For the first time, all high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs will be consolidated into two new accounts: a $4-billion account for network development, focused on building new infrastructure, stations, and equipment; and a $4-billion account for system preservation and renewal, which will maintain state of good repair on Amtrak and other publicly-owned assets, bring stations into Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, and provide temporary operating support to crucial state corridors while the full system is being built and developed.