A Renaissance for Rail? President Obama Releases a New Plan for High-Speed Rail
On April 16, 2009, President Obama unveiled his new High-Speed Rail Strategic Plan. Until this year, rail transportation has received less than three percent of all federal investment in intercity transportation infrastructure and the Northeast has the nation’s only high-speed rail corridor. In contrast, throughout the 20th century the United States has invested $1.8 trillion in our highway and aviation infrastructure. Now however, with oil prices climbing and mounting concern over climate change, investing in public infrastructure solely to support cars and planes in no longer sustainable. As President Obama’s Plan states, “a new approach is needed--one that responds to today’s economic, energy, and environmental challenges.” Railroads offer a solution as they can reduce pollution and congestion and efficiently transport people and goods between cities.
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