Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasonhouse
So refresh my memory... What's the most significant intercity passenger rail project that's actually being constructed right now in the uS?
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(1) St. Louis to Chicago rail corridor is being rebuilt for 110 mph service with a 30 mph increase in maximum speed. Much of the construction has been completed, although just a few miles has been tested.
(2) There are plans to upgrade the NEC between Trenton and New Brunswick, although 'm not sure construction has started it has been funded, for 165 mph with a 30 mph increase in maximum speeds for Acela trains only. All other trains would still be limited to 125 mph.
(3) LA to LV has two private enterprises wishing to reintroduce train services. One of them plans to run 79 mph trains over the existing UP tracks twice a week. Contracts with the required parties are in place. Little construction is required (trains, station tracks and platforms only). It'll be a startup service, not an expansion of existing service, so I would classify it as significant.
(4) There are plans in California, Florida, Michigan, and Texas for higher speed and high speed rail, none of these are fully funded and none have construction underway.
(5) There's always bridge replacements being done as required, but I wouldn't necessarily consider that significant, although the costs are. I would also place tunnel replacements in this same category, but I don't think any tunnel work construction has started.