USHSR publishes 5-Point High-Speed Rail Plan for Biden Administration

The U.S. High-Speed Rail Association (USHSR) has announced the release of its 5-Point High-Speed Rail Plan with a project list for the new Biden Administration, who has promised to “spark the second great railroad revolution” with a major investment and focus on high-speed rail across America.

USHSR’s new 5-Point High-Speed Rail Plan has specific recommendations for the high-speed rail programme to be a success, including specific projects to fund.

Create a new High-Speed Rail Development Authority

Create a new High-Speed Rail Development Authority within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to direct and coordinate the national programme when working with states. This new Authority would be tasked with initiating new high-speed rail projects, conducting route studies, filing for permits, assembling land, hiring contractors and consultants and hiring concessionaires to operate the trains. This includes streamlining the approvals process by allowing simultaneous approvals, shortened timelines and single agency approvals.

Select the nation’s top five high-speed rail priority projects

Select the nation’s top five high-speed rail priority projects, designate them as ‘Special Projects of National Significance’ and fast-track each to completion with the full support of the federal government:

• California high-speed rail – $60 billion investment
• Texas high-speed rail – $20 billion investment
• NEC upgrade, New York City tunnels – $50 billion investment
• Cascadia high-speed rail (Pacific NW) – $40 billion investment
• Florida high-speed rail (Tampa-Orlando) – $2.5 billion investment.

Select the second tier projects and immediately fund and assist them

Select the second tier projects and immediately fund and assist them into early works – including planning, route studies, permits, land acquisition and pre-construction works:

• Chicago-Milwaukee high-speed rail – $8 billion investment
• Atlanta-Charlotte high-speed rail – $18 billion investment
• Louisville-Nashville high-speed rail – $15 billion investment
• Denver-Albuquerque high-speed rail – $40 billion investment
• Chicago – St. Louis high-speed rail – $18 billion investment
• Tulsa-Oklahoma City high-speed rail – $8 billion investment
• Chicago-Detroit high-speed rail – $30 billion investment
• Nashville-Memphis high-speed rail – $15 billion investment
• Kansas City-St. Louis high-speed rail – $19 billion investment
• Chicago-Indianapolis high-speed rail – $17 billion investment.

Coordinate closely on transit-oriented development planning with local cities and jurisdictions

Coordinate closely on transit-oriented development (TOD) planning with local cities and jurisdictions to maximise community making and economic development opportunities that come with a new high-speed rail station.

TOD creates vibrant, livable, affordable and sustainable communities in the form of compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centered around high quality train systems, making it possible to live a lower-stress, more affordable life without dependence on a car for mobility and survival.

Transit oriented development combines regional planning, city revitalisation, suburban renewal, smart growth and walkable neighborhoods. By directly coordinating the land development around high-speed rail stations, the maximum community and real estate benefits can be delivered.

Work with airlines and airports to replace short-haul flights with high-speed rail

Work with airlines and airports to replace short-haul flights with high-speed rail, and extend high-speed rail connections to major airports. Encourage partnerships with airlines on combined tickets for trips with part of the journey on a train and part on an airplane.

This begins to reshape the U.S. domestic travel market that makes travelling easier, faster and greener for the travelling public, while also benefiting the airlines and airports who can better utilise their equipment and spaces for longer distance flights.

USHSR‘s President, Andy Kunz, said: “We’re excited to release this new plan as the new rail-focused administration comes in. For decades, Joe Biden has proven to be one of rail’s great leaders, and we’re ready to work with him, Congress, governors and the American people to get many new systems built across this great nation so that everyone can ride on them.”