NORTHEAST/MID-ATLANTIC

Policies supporting the construction of high-speed rail are getting back on track and gaining speed on the federal level. On July 9, Amtrak released a plan for the Northeast Corridor outlining its long-term vision to accommodate more trains operating at faster speeds, with significantly reduced trip times and improved service reliability. It also called for the development of the next generation of high-speed rail, reaching speeds of 220 mph among four major hubs: Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

The study—marking the third update in the conceptual development and planning process for the Northeast “megaregion”—provides input for a new environmental analysis and master plan initiative led by the Federal Railroad Administration. Under the new proposal, travel times would shrink to 37 minutes from New York to Philadelphia and 94 minutes from New York to Washington, DC, promising increased commuter efficiency and encouraging economic development across the region…