Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

Thinking Big: What About an Interstate Rail System?

With all the billions of dollars rolling around the headlines lately, it's not surprising that some of the Streetsblog Network members are thinking big. The Transport Politic, for instance, today presents a grand vision for an interstate rail system:

rail_network6.jpg[It]would have an emphasis on connecting destinations separated by 500miles or less; for such distances, high-speed rail outpaces airplanesand in other countries has commanded up to 80% of the market share onsuch routes.

Yonah Freemark, the blog's author, acknowledges the enormity of the project, but points out that there's a precedent:

Sucha system would require an active federal government funding anexpensive national system, maintaining its infrastructure, and runningits trains. Our government is currently not capable of doing as much,but with a defined vision such as this -- to provide rail service toall of the nation’s metro areas and to connect the biggest ones withtrue high-speed rail -- Washington could mature to the task. Back in1956, the federal commitment to highways was minimal; in one bill,under one president, the system changed.

Also out there on the network: Fort Worthology has an update on the Fort Worth streetcar project, Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space has a post about on-street bike parking in Seattle, and Bike Providence reports on a lock-lending program at a local library.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Eyes on the Street: Crosswalk Upgrades in Glendale’s Adams Square

"Where we meet" is a series of art crosswalks designed by local artist Keith Knueven as part of the city of Glendale's Creative Crosswalks program

September 13, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines

Vermont Ave. bus lanes, Move Culver City, TAP-to-exit, oil, and fire, fire, fire

September 12, 2024

Wednesday’s Headlines

In addition to Southern California hillsides ablaze, today's headlines also touch on sidewalks, bus shelters, the 710 and 14 Freeways, Pasadena, Big Blue Bus, high-speed rail, and more

September 11, 2024

Metro and Caltrans 14 Freeway Expansion Project Meetings Delayed

Metro plans to add more general purpose lanes as part of its 14 Freeway expansion project through Santa Clarita - a part of L.A. County that is reeling from triple digit heat

September 10, 2024

Tuesday’s Headlines

Scorching climate-catastrophe-driven heat continues, plus broken sidewalks, 710 Freeway homes, 14 Freeway expansion, carnage, a Santa Monica woonerf, and more

September 10, 2024
See all posts