U.S. high-speed rail projects: The latest news
July 9, 2024
The modern history of fast trains in the U.S. dates back to the High Speed Ground Transportation Act of 1965, an attempt by federal lawmakers to keep up with developments in Japan. In the first demonstration project under the legislation, the U.S. Department of Transportation provided funds to upgrade the heavily traveled rail line between Washington, D.C., and New York City and to commission a fleet of self-propelled trains that ran up to about 120 mph in daily service from 1969 to 1981.
While Northeast Corridor trains among Washington, New York City and Boston have continued to build on that legacy, in the nearly 60 years since the act passed, the U.S. has not built a single dedicated, grade-separated high-speed rail line. But today, there’s increasing interest in high-speed trains as travelers struggle with congested roads and the hassles of flying.
