High-Speed Rail News

Illinois, Indiana and Michigan to Move Forward on Midwest High Speed Rail Study
May 09, 2012

Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have agreed to move forward with a comprehensive study that will help determine ways to reduce rail congestion and let trains achieve higher speeds along the Chicago-to-Detroit high-speed rail corridor.

California HSR Authority Releases New Business Plan
April 05, 2012

The California High-Speed Rail Authority released a revised Business Plan to launch the nation's first true HSR service, capable of traveling 220 miles-per-hour from Merced to the San Fernando Valley. The new plan implements service within ten years, cuts project costs by $30 billion, and utilizes existing rail lines on the northern and southern ends of the system.

Senate passes MAP-21
March 17, 2012

The U.S. Senate passed its transportation bill on Wednesday, March 14 with a 74-22 vote. It was a bipartisan effort of the senate to write and pass the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), a two-year, $109 billion investment in transit, rail, and improving the nation's infrastructure. It's commendable that the Senate was able to work through this complicated bill, and garner 74 votes, in such a contentious time in Washington. Progress!

Michigan Announces 110-mph Amtrak Service
February 16, 2012

A special train operating on Amtrak's Chicago–Detroit corridor yesterday celebrated the inauguration of 110-mph speeds between Porter, Indiana and Kalamazoo, Michigan – the fastest passenger rail service in the Midwest. The higher speeds will result in better travel times and set the stage for more improvements to come as the state completes the purchase of the Kalamazoo–Detroit segment of the corridor.

High-Speed Rail and Transit on Chopping Block
February 02, 2012

The House leadership of the Ways and Means committee introduced a proposal yesterday that would exclude public transit from receiving federal motor fuels tax funding. The proposal is a part of a bill that will establish funding for a new five-year transportation bill now before Congress. The move would eliminate guaranteed funding in the Mass Transit Account – established in 1982 under President Reagan – potentially eliminating public transportation nationwide.

MHSRA Responds to the House Transportation Committee Hearing on High Speed Rail
December 06, 2011

Earlier today, Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure discussed the status of the Federal Railroad Administration’s High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) program. At the hearing, Committee leadership unveiled a new strategy that simultaneously sought to project themselves as both opponents and supporters of high-speed rail.

California Awarded Nearly $1 Billion to Begin Building HSR
November 22, 2011

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today awarded a $928.6 million grant to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for initial construction of California High-Speed Rail. Construction will begin next year in Fresno, creating tens of thousands of jobs in California.

Michigan Announces Major Progress on Detroit-to-Chicago Route
October 06, 2011

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $196.5 million grant to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for track and signal improvements between Detroit and Kalamazoo. MDOT also announced a related agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) to purchase the 135-mile segment between Kalamazoo and Dearborn.

$39 Million State Appropriation Unlocks $161 Million in USDOT Rail Grant
September 28, 2011

Enhanced passenger train service between Detroit and Chicago will become a reality after the Michigan House of Representatives approved today state match money to access $161 million in federal grants awarded to Michigan for projects along the corridor. The Michigan Senate passed the bill last week.

Bicameral Rail Caucus Leads Voices Opposing Cuts to High-Speed Rail and Amtrak
September 09, 2011

House and Senate Lawmakers Say “This is a necessary investment that will create jobs and sustain America’s growth at a critical time.”

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