Proposed US High Speed Rail Corridors - The Blue NE Corridor Line is currently in operation.

High-Speed Rail (HSR) transportation is poised for massive expansion under the Obama Administration.  $8 Billion has already been appropriated to expand HSR from the stimulus package but that could be just the tip of the iceberg if the United States at long last creates a bullet train network to rival what Europe and Japan have already had for over a decade.  Yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said his Department had sent The White House all the information it has on at least six new corridors for HSR service expansion (seen in the map above).  LaHood told the press “This is going to be President Obama’s, I believe, top transportation priority.”

This is fantastic news for anyone who is serious about America conserving energy and reducing fossil fuel emissions.  There are many areas throughout the country where it’s a little too far to drive between major metropolitan areas but a little too close to fly, with the Midwest, Texas and California being prime examples.  Affordable High-Speed Rail transportation will make the decision of which form of transportation to take a no-brainer and reduce America’s oil dependence while helping to preserve the environment.

You can takepart in pushing for High-Speed Rail expansion in the United States by checking out the National Association of Rail Passengers.

LINKS:

Reuters: White House weighs high-speed rail investment

USA Today: Major Rail expansion on track with stimulus bill

MSNBC: Did stimulus just give California high-speed rail?