U.S. Transportation Dept. approves $6 billion for high-speed rail projects

This week, the Department of Transportation announced more than $6 billion in grant funding for high-speed rail projects. The government continues to show support for this technology.

Brightline West, a subsidiary of Florida's Brightline intercity rail service, will receive $3 billion in federal funds for their proposed Las Vegas to Los Angeles line, which aims to transport passengers between the two cities in just two hours.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has been awarded $3.1 billion to further develop their system, connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco in under three hours. High-speed rail, typically defined as trains that reach speeds of at least 125 mph and can exceed 220 mph, is the focus of these projects. 

High-speed rail technology has been in existence since the 1960s when Japan introduced its Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo and Osaka. Since then, numerous high-speed rail projects have emerged across the globe, and China has pioneered an extensive network spanning approximately 25,000 miles.

In contrast, the United States has been slower in adopting this technology. Currently, there are no operational high-speed rail lines in the country, although Amtrak's Acela service in the Northeast occasionally reaches speeds of 150 mph.

Despite this lag, there is a growing chorus of experts and activists advocating for high-speed rail as they recognize its pressing benefits. Additionally, there is public support for this mode of transportation. A 2022 survey conducted by the University of California Berkeley and The Los Angeles Times revealed that 56% of registered voters approved of continuing the state's high-speed rail project, while 35% were against it.

Transportation engineer and public-transit activist, Hayden Clarkin, expressed confidence that once California's high-speed rail system becomes operational, people will recognize its significant utility and value.